Courses
By rohit.pandey1
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Updated on 6 Oct 2025, 17:27 IST
In India, entrance examinations are the gateway to higher education and professional careers. After completing Class 12, students must often clear one or more entrance exams to get admission into colleges and universities. These exams act as a common platform to test a student’s knowledge, skills, and readiness for advanced studies. They are conducted at different levels—national, state, or by individual universities—and cover a wide range of fields such as engineering, medicine, law, management, commerce, and the arts.
For science students, engineering and medical exams are among the most popular. JEE Main and JEE Advanced give entry into India’s top engineering colleges, including IITs, NITs, and IIITs. Similarly, NEET-UG is the only exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical programs across the country. Along with these, private universities like BITS, VIT, and SRM conduct their own exams for engineering aspirants, while states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal hold CETs for regional colleges.
Law and management aspirants also have a variety of exams to choose from. CLAT and AILET are the key law entrance tests that open doors to National Law Universities and other reputed institutions. For management, exams like IPMAT, SET, and DU JAT (now part of CUET) provide entry into undergraduate courses such as BBA and BMS. These courses serve as a foundation for future business or corporate careers.
A major change in recent years has been the introduction of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). CUET has become the standard exam for admission into Central Universities like Delhi University, BHU, and JNU, as well as many state and private institutions. It covers subjects across all streams and allows students to apply to multiple universities through a single test.
Commerce students often look toward professional certifications such as CA, CS, and CMA, which are conducted by national bodies. These exams are highly competitive and lead to specialized careers in accounting, taxation, and finance. Other global certifications like CFA and ACCA are also gaining popularity.
Entrance exams are important because they create a fair and transparent system of admission. They give students from different schools and boards a common ground for evaluation. At the same time, preparing for these exams helps students build discipline, problem-solving skills, and subject knowledge. With so many options available, it is important for students to research carefully, understand their strengths, and choose the exam that matches their career goals.
In India, students completing Class 12 have a wide spectrum of entrance exams that open pathways to diverse careers. Engineering entrance exams at national and state levels, such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and various state CETs, form the gateway to top technical institutes. For aspirants in the medical field, medical and allied health entrance exams like NEET provide access to MBBS, BDS, nursing, and allied health sciences programs.
Those aiming for a career in law can pursue integrated LLB programs through competitive exams such as CLAT and AILET, while management-focused students can opt for BBA/BMS entrance tests like IPMAT and SET. At the same time, general university entrance exams including CUET (UG/PG) open doors to a range of disciplines across
Central and state universities. Additionally, students interested in business, finance, or accounting may take commerce-oriented and professional certification exams like CA, CS, or CMA, which provide specialized career opportunities. Together, these exams define structured pathways for higher education and professional growth after Class 12.
JEE
NEET
Foundation JEE
Foundation NEET
CBSE
For students aspiring to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) or Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), clearing a competitive engineering entrance exam is the first step. These national and state-level exams are the gateway to admission into India's top engineering colleges, including the prestigious IITs, NITs, and BITS. The most prominent among these is the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which is conducted in two stages: Main and Advanced.
| Exam Name | Level / Type | Key For |
| JEE Main | National | Admission to B.E./B.Tech programs at NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. |
| JEE Advanced | National | Admission to B.E./B.Tech programs exclusively at the 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). |
| BITSAT | National | Admission to B.E. programs at BITS Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. |
| VITEEE | National | Admission to B.Tech programs at VIT campuses. |
| SRMJEEE | National | Admission to B.Tech programs at SRM Institute of Science and Technology campuses. |
| KIITEE | National | Admission to B.Tech programs at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. |
| AMUEEE | National | Admission to engineering courses at Aligarh Muslim University. |
| COMEDK UGET | State (Karnataka) | Admission to private engineering colleges in Karnataka. |
| Amity JEE | National (Private) | Admission to B.Tech programs at Amity University campuses. |
| PESSAT | National (Private) | Admission to engineering programs at PES University, Bangalore. |
| GITAM GAT | National (Private) | Admission to B.Tech programs at GITAM University campuses. |
| GEEE | National (Private) | Admission to B.Tech programs at Galgotias University. |
| Uni-Gauge-E | National (Consortium) | Admission to participating private universities across India. |
| CIEAT | National (Private) | Admission to engineering programs at Crescent Institute of Science and Technology. |
| HITSEEE | National (Private) | Admission to B.Tech programs at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science. |
| BEEE | National (Private) | Admission to engineering courses at Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research. |
| AMET Entrance Exam | National (Private) | Admission to marine engineering and related programs at AMET University, Chennai. |
| MZUEEE | National (Private) | Admission to engineering programs at MZU (Mizoram University). |
| SLIET SET | National | Admission to engineering and technology programs at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology. |
| AUEET | State (Andhra Pradesh) | Admission to integrated engineering programs at Andhra University. |
| AUSAT | National (Private) | Admission to UG programs at Alliance University, Bangalore. |
| GLAET | National (Private) | Admission to engineering programs at GLA University, Mathura. |
| JET (Jain) | National (Private) | Admission to UG programs at Jain University, Bangalore. |
| BVAT | National (Private) | Admission to UG programs at Banasthali Vidyapith (women’s university). |
| Exam Name | Level / Type | Key For |
| WBJEE | State (West Bengal) | Admission to engineering colleges in West Bengal, including Jadavpur University. |
| MHT CET | State (Maharashtra) | Admission to engineering and pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra. |
| KCET | State (Karnataka) | Admission to engineering, medical, and other professional courses in Karnataka. |
| KEAM | State (Kerala) | Admission to engineering and other professional programs in Kerala. |
| AP EAMCET | State (Andhra Pradesh) | Admission to engineering, pharmacy, and agriculture colleges in Andhra Pradesh. |
| TS EAMCET | State (Telangana) | Admission to engineering, pharmacy, and agriculture colleges in Telangana. |
| GUJCET | State (Gujarat) | Admission to engineering and pharmacy colleges in Gujarat. |
| OJEE | State (Odisha) | Admission to B.Tech (lateral entry), M.Tech, MBA, MCA in Odisha. |
| BCECE | State (Bihar) | Admission to engineering, pharmacy, and agriculture courses in Bihar. |
| JCECE | State (Jharkhand) | Admission to engineering, agriculture, and other courses in Jharkhand. |
| CG PET | State (Chhattisgarh) | Admission to engineering colleges in Chhattisgarh. |
| CPET | State (Chhattisgarh) | Admission to pharmacy programs in Chhattisgarh. |
| UKSEE | State (Uttarakhand) | Admission to B.Tech (lateral), MBA, MCA, and pharmacy programs in Uttarakhand. |
| HPCET | State (Himachal Pradesh) | Admission to engineering and other courses in Himachal Pradesh. |
| Assam CEE | State (Assam) | Admission to engineering colleges in Assam. |
| TJEE (Tripura JEE) | State (Tripura) | Admission to engineering and medical colleges in Tripura. |
| GCET | State (Goa) | Admission to engineering programs in Goa. |
| JKCET | State (Jammu & Kashmir) | Admission to engineering colleges in Jammu & Kashmir. |
| NERIST NEE | State (Arunachal/NE) | Admission to North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology. |
| APJEE | State (Arunachal Pradesh) | Admission to engineering and diploma programs in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| TNEA | State (Tamil Nadu) | Counselling-based admission to engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. |
| UPCET/UPSEE | State (Uttar Pradesh) | Admission to engineering, management, and pharmacy programs in UP. |
Admission to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS and BDS in India is streamlined through a single national-level entrance test. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is the mandatory exam for all aspiring medical students. Apart from MBBS and BDS, NEET scores are also used for admission to AYUSH, veterinary, and other allied health science courses across the country.
| Exam Name | Course Level | Key For |
| NEET UG | Undergraduate | Admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other allied medical courses across India. |
| AIIMS Nursing | Undergraduate | Admission to B.Sc (Hons) Nursing programs at AIIMS institutions. |
For students aiming for a career in law, a 5-year integrated LLB program right after Class 12 is the most popular choice. Admission to the prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) and other top law schools is conducted through various national-level law entrance exams. The most prominent of these is the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).
| Exam Name | Key For |
| CLAT | Admission to 5-year integrated LLB and LLM programs at 24 National Law Universities (NLUs). |
| AILET | Admission to 5-year BA LLB (Hons) program exclusively at NLU Delhi. |
| LSAT–India | Admission to various private law schools in India, including Jindal Global Law School. |
| SLAT | Admission to undergraduate law programs at Symbiosis Law Schools. |
Students interested in pursuing a career in business and management can opt for undergraduate courses like Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS). Admission to top universities and IIMs for these programs is based on scores from national-level management entrance exams, which test aptitude, reasoning, and quantitative skills.
| Exam Name | Key For |
| CUET UG | Admission to BBA, BMS, and B.Com programs at Central Universities like DU, BHU, etc. |
| IPMAT | Admission to 5-year Integrated Program in Management (BBA + MBA) at IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. |
| NPAT | Admission to undergraduate programs at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS). |
For admission to a wide variety of undergraduate courses (B.A., B.Com, B.Sc, etc.) in central, state, and top private universities, several general university entrance exams are conducted. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has emerged as the single largest examination, providing a unified platform for students from all streams.
| Exam Name | Level / Type | Key For |
| CUET UG | National | Admission to undergraduate programs in Central Universities and many other participating universities across India. |
| CUET PG | National | Admission to postgraduate programs in Central Universities and participating universities. |
| AMU Entrance (now via CUET) | National (CUET UG/PG) | Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Aligarh Muslim University (through CUET). |
| BHU Entrance (now via CUET) | National (CUET UG/PG) | Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Banaras Hindu University (through CUET). |
| JNU Entrance (PG via CUET-PG) | National (CUET PG) | Admission to postgraduate programs at Jawaharlal Nehru University. |
| DUET | National (University-specific) | Admission to select postgraduate, doctoral, and professional courses at the University of Delhi. |
| IPU CET | State / University-specific (Delhi) | Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. |
| PTU Exam | State (Punjab) | Admission to engineering, management, and pharmacy courses at colleges affiliated with Punjab Technical University. |
| CUSAT CAT | State (Kerala) | Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Cochin University of Science and Technology. |
| CUEE (Centurion University) | University-specific | Admission to engineering and other programs at Centurion University campuses. |
| GGSIPU CET | State / University-specific (Delhi) | Admission to UG and PG courses at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (sometimes referred to as IPU CET). |
| SET (Symbiosis UG admission test, separate from SLAT) | University-specific (Private) | Admission to undergraduate programs (such as Management, Liberal Arts, Computer Studies, etc.) at Symbiosis International University campuses. |
After Class 12, commerce students can begin their journey toward globally recognized professional certifications like Chartered Accountancy (CA) and Company Secretary (CS). The first step is to clear the foundation-level professional certification exams conducted by their respective governing bodies.
| Exam Name | Key For |
| CA Foundation | The first step to becoming a Chartered Accountant, conducted by ICAI. |
| CSEET | The qualifying entrance test for the Company Secretary (CS) program, conducted by ICSI. |
With numerous exams available, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. Following a strategic approach can bring clarity and help you make an informed decision that aligns with your career aspirations.
Balancing board exam preparation with competitive entrance exams is a common challenge. With the right strategy, you can excel in both.
The first and most important step is to understand that the core syllabus for most entrance exams (like JEE Main and NEET) is based on the Class 11 and 12 NCERT curriculum. By preparing thoroughly for your board exams, you are simultaneously building a strong foundation for your entrance tests. Focus on mastering the concepts that are common to both.
Board exams might test your ability to reproduce information, but entrance exams test your application of concepts.
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The "top" exams depend on your stream and career goals, but the five most prominent national-level entrance exams in India are:
Yes, but it depends on the course.
Not Possible for Technical Fields: Students cannot switch streams for courses like Engineering or Medicine because they have mandatory subject requirements in Class 12 (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Maths/Biology).
Possible for Most Other Fields: For courses in Management (BBA), Law, Hotel Management, Mass Communication, and most Arts/Humanities programs, students from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) are eligible to apply. The CUET exam is a prime example that allows for this flexibility.
As a commerce student without mathematics, you still have several excellent options:
Yes, for the vast majority of clinical undergraduate courses, NEET is compulsory. This includes:
The main exception is B.Sc. Nursing, for which some institutions (like AIIMS) conduct their own entrance exams, while many others now use NEET scores for admission.
The CUET (Common University Entrance Test) is a single national-level entrance exam for admission to a wide range of undergraduate programs. It is for students from all streams (Science, Commerce, and Arts) who have completed their Class 12.
Its primary purpose is to provide a unified platform for admission into over 250 participating universities, including most Central Universities (like Delhi University, BHU), State Universities, and many Private Universities, for courses like B.A., B.Com, B.Sc, BBA, and more.
