Top Entrance Exams After Class 12 in India
A complete career guide for Biology, Mathematics, Arts, Commerce and Law aspirants.
Students can choose entrance exams based on their Class 12 subjects, career interests, eligibility and the course they want to pursue. Here is a stream-wise guide for students, parents and career counsellors.
Main Student Categories Covered
Main Medical Entrance Route
Main Engineering Entrance Route
Top National Law Entrance Exam
Stream-wise Entrance Exams After Class 12
Students should not choose an entrance exam only because it is popular. The right exam depends on the stream studied in Class 12, the course a student wants to pursue, the eligibility rules and the admission process followed by the institution.
Medical, Allied Health and Life Sciences
Main routes include NEET UG, selected nursing admission routes, CUET UG and other institution-based admissions.
Engineering, Technology and Sciences
Main routes include JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, CUET UG and architecture admission routes.
Law, Humanities, Design and Media
Students can explore CUET UG, CLAT UG, AILET, NIFT Entrance Exam, NID DAT and NCHM JEE.
Business, Finance and Management
Popular options include CUET UG, IPMAT, NPAT, SET, CA Foundation and CSEET, depending on the target course.
Biology Students (PCB)
Biology students usually explore medical, dental, AYUSH, nursing, agriculture and allied health science programmes. The admission route depends on the course and institution.
1. NEET UG
Courses: MBBS, BDS and other NEET-based medical admissions.
Use: Main entrance route for medical and dental education in India.
2. AIIMS Nursing Entrance / Admission Process
Course: B.Sc. Nursing.
Note: Follow the current AIIMS admission process and official notification.
3. CUET UG
Courses: Selected life science, biotechnology and other university programmes.
Use: Accepted by participating central and other universities.
4. ICAR AIEEA / CUET-based Routes
Courses: Agriculture and allied programmes.
Note: Admission depends on the current rules and participating institutions.
5. State-level Entrance Exams
Courses: Selected nursing, pharmacy and allied health programmes.
Note: Rules vary by state and institution.
Biology-based Career Choices
B.Sc. Biotechnology, Microbiology, Zoology, Botany, Agriculture, Physiotherapy and Medical Laboratory Technology.
Admission may be based on NEET, a university entrance test or Class 12 merit.
Mathematics Students (PCM)
Mathematics students often choose engineering, technology, architecture, physical sciences and data-based programmes. Some exams are national, while others are institution-specific.
1. JEE Main
Colleges: NITs, IIITs and other participating engineering colleges.
Use: One of the main engineering entrance exams in India.
2. JEE Advanced
Colleges: IITs.
Note: Only eligible candidates can appear after qualifying the relevant criteria.
3. BITSAT
Courses: Engineering and other eligible programmes at BITS campuses.
Use: Important option for students targeting BITS institutions.
4. VITEEE
Course: B.Tech programmes at VIT.
Use: Popular institution-specific engineering entrance exam.
5. SRMJEEE
Course: B.Tech programmes at participating SRM institutions.
Use: Another important university-level engineering entrance route.
6. CUET UG and Architecture Routes
CUET UG: Selected B.Sc. and other university programmes.
Architecture: NATA or JEE Main Paper 2, subject to eligibility.
Arts / Humanities Students
Arts and humanities students have strong options in law, social sciences, design, media, hotel management and liberal arts. The best exam depends on the target course.
1. CUET UG
Courses: BA, Psychology, Political Science, History and other eligible programmes.
Use: Important entrance route for many universities.
2. CLAT UG
Courses: Five-year law programmes in participating National Law Universities.
Use: Major national law entrance exam.
3. AILET
Courses: Law programmes at National Law University, Delhi.
Use: Separate entrance route for NLU Delhi.
4. NIFT Entrance Exam
Courses: Fashion design and related programmes.
Use: Popular design entrance option.
5. NID DAT
Courses: Design programmes at participating NID institutions.
Use: Important route for design aspirants.
6. NCHM JEE
Courses: Hotel management programmes at participating institutes.
Use: Good option for hospitality careers.
Commerce Students
Commerce students can pursue careers in finance, business, management, economics, law and entrepreneurship. Different exams lead to different academic pathways.
1. CUET UG
Courses: B.Com, B.Com (Hons.), BA Economics and selected university programmes.
Use: Important route for central and other participating universities.
2. IPMAT
Courses: Five-year integrated management programmes at participating IIMs.
Use: Major option for management aspirants after Class 12.
3. NPAT
Courses: Eligible undergraduate programmes at NMIMS.
Use: Good option for business and management education.
4. SET
Courses: Selected undergraduate programmes at Symbiosis institutions.
Use: Useful for students targeting Symbiosis programmes.
5. CA Foundation
Career path: Chartered Accountancy.
Use: Entry route for students interested in accountancy and auditing.
6. CSEET
Career path: Company Secretary qualification.
Note: Follow the current rules and official requirements.
Law Aspirants (Students from Any Stream)
Students from Arts, Commerce and Science can generally pursue five-year integrated law courses after Class 12, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.
1. CLAT UG
Colleges: Participating National Law Universities.
Use: One of the top law entrance exams in India.
2. AILET
College: National Law University, Delhi.
Use: Separate entrance exam for NLU Delhi law programmes.
3. MH CET Law (5-year LLB)
Colleges: Participating Maharashtra law colleges.
Use: Good option for students targeting law colleges in Maharashtra.
4. SLAT
Courses: Selected Symbiosis law programmes.
Use: Law entrance option for Symbiosis institutions.
5. University-specific Law Entrance Tests
Use: Some institutions conduct their own law admissions.
Note: Check the target university’s admission rules.
Other Important Entrance Exams After Class 12
| Career field | Entrance exam | Course / career path |
|---|---|---|
| Defence | NDA/NA | Army, Navy and Air Force officer training |
| Architecture | NATA | B.Arch |
| Fashion | NIFT Entrance Exam | Fashion and design |
| Design | NID DAT | Product, communication and related design |
| Hotel Management | NCHM JEE | Hospitality management |
| Agriculture | ICAR/CUET or applicable route | Agriculture and allied sciences |
| Pure Sciences | IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), NEST | Science and research programmes |
| Aviation | Institute-specific admission routes | Selected aviation programmes |
| Fine Arts | University-specific tests | Fine arts and applied arts |
How to Choose the Right Entrance Exam
-
Start with your Class 12 subjects
Choose exams that match your stream such as PCB, PCM, Arts or Commerce. -
Identify your target course
Decide whether you want medical, engineering, law, management, design, science or another career path. -
Check eligibility carefully
Look at subject requirements, minimum marks, age rules and institution-specific conditions. -
Review the admission route
Some courses use national exams, some use university-level tests and some offer admission through Class 12 merit. -
Verify official updates
Before applying, always check the official exam or institution website for the latest notification.
