Choosing the right career path after 12th can be overwhelming. Whether you come from a Science, Commerce, or Arts background, entrance exams play a crucial role in shaping your future. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a detailed list of the top entrance exams after 12th that you should know about.
Why Entrance Exams Matter After 12th
Entrance exams are gateways to top colleges and universities. They assess your aptitude, knowledge, and skills, ensuring that you are ready for professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, Law, Management, and more. Clearing these exams not only helps you get into prestigious institutions but also opens up excellent career opportunities.
Top Entrance Exams After 12th for Science Students
1. JEE Main and JEE Advanced
Purpose: Admission to IITs , NITs, and other top engineering colleges.
Subjects Covered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.
Conducted By: National Testing Agency (NTA).
Top 5 Engineering Colleges After JEE Main & Advanced
College Name NIRF Rank 2024 Top Recruiters Average Package (INR) Highest Package (INR) IIT Madras 1 Google, Microsoft, Amazon ₹22 LPA ₹1.3 Cr LPA IIT Delhi 2 Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Uber ₹20 LPA ₹2 Cr LPA IIT Bombay 3 Google, Apple, JP Morgan ₹21 LPA ₹3.7 Cr LPA IIT Kanpur 4 Intel, TCS, Flipkart ₹18 LPA ₹1.9 Cr LPA IIT Kharagpur 5 PwC, Reliance, Qualcomm ₹17 LPA ₹2.6 Cr LPA
2. NEET UG
Purpose: Admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses.
Subjects Covered: Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
Conducted By: National Testing Agency (NTA).
Top 5 Medical Colleges After NEET UG
College Name NIRF Rank 2024 Courses Offered Average Package (INR) Highest Package (INR) AIIMS Delhi (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) 1 MBBS, BDS, Nursing ₹12 LPA ₹1.5 Cr LPA (abroad) PGIMER Chandigarh 2 MBBS, B.Sc Nursing ₹10 LPA ₹1 Cr LPA CMC Vellore (Christian Medical College) 3 MBBS, Allied Health ₹9 LPA ₹60 LPA NIMHANS Bangalore 4 MBBS, B.Sc Psychiatry ₹8 LPA ₹50 LPA BHIMS New Delhi (Banaras Hindu University) 5 MBBS, BDS, Ayurveda ₹7 LPA ₹40 LPA
3. BITSAT
Purpose: Admission to BITS Pilani and its other campuses.
Subjects Covered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, English Proficiency, Logical Reasoning.
Conducted By: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS).
Top BITS Campuses After BITSAT
Campus Name Location NIRF Rank 2024 Average Package (INR) Highest Package (INR) Top Recruiters BITS Pilani Rajasthan 25 ₹14 LPA ₹60 LPA Google, Microsoft, Amazon BITS Goa Goa 32 ₹12 LPA ₹55 LPA Adobe, Uber, Qualcomm BITS Hyderabad Telangana 36 ₹11 LPA ₹45 LPA JP Morgan, Oracle, Deloitte BITS Dubai UAE – ₹10 LPA ₹40 LPA Schlumberger, L&T, Noon.com
4. IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)
Purpose: Admission to BS-MS dual degree programs at IISERs.
Subjects Covered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology.
Top Entrance Exams After 12th for Commerce Students
1. CUET (UG)
Purpose: Admission to central universities and many private colleges for various undergraduate courses.
Subjects Covered: Domain-specific subjects, General Test, Language Test.
Conducted By: NTA.
Top 5 Universities Accepting CUET UG Scores
University Name NIRF Rank 2024 Popular Courses Average Package (INR) Top Recruiters University of Delhi (DU) 11 B.Com (Hons), BA (Hons), B.Sc ₹6-7 LPA Deloitte, EY, KPMG Banaras Hindu University (BHU) 15 BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BFA ₹5-6 LPA Infosys, Wipro, TCS Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) 10 BA (Hons), B.Sc ₹7 LPA Research Institutes, NGOs Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) 12 BA, BBA, B.Com, B.Voc ₹6 LPA Amazon, Accenture, HCL University of Allahabad 24 BA, B.Sc, B.Com ₹4-5 LPA Public Sector, Private Firms
2. CA Foundation
Purpose: Entry-level exam for Chartered Accountancy.
Subjects Covered: Principles of Accounting, Business Laws, Business Mathematics, Economics.
Conducted By: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Top 5 Institutes for CA Foundation Coaching & Career Scope
Institute Name Location Popular Courses Average Package (INR) Highest Package (INR) Top Recruiters Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) All India (Official Body) CA Foundation, Inter, Final ₹8-10 LPA ₹25-30 LPA Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG) Aldine CA Delhi, Online CA Foundation, Inter ₹7-8 LPA ₹20 LPA Grant Thornton, BDO VSI Jaipur Jaipur, Online CA Foundation, Final ₹7-9 LPA ₹22 LPA MNCs, Top CA Firms JK Shah Classes Mumbai, Pan India CA Foundation, Inter ₹6-8 LPA ₹18 LPA Mid-size CA firms, Corporates CA Guruji Classes Online CA Foundation Only ₹6-7 LPA ₹15 LPA SMEs, Startups, Firms
3. IPMAT
Purpose: Admission to five-year Integrated Program in Management (IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, and others).
Subjects Covered: Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability.
Top 5 Colleges for IPMAT
College Name Location Popular Courses Average Package (INR) Highest Package (INR) Top Recruiters IIM Indore (IPM) Indore Integrated BBA + MBA ₹12 LPA ₹24 LPA McKinsey, BCG, EY IIM Rohtak (IPM) Rohtak Integrated BBA + MBA ₹10 LPA ₹18 LPA Accenture, Deloitte, Wipro IIM Bodh Gaya (IPM) Bodh Gaya Integrated BBA + MBA ₹9 LPA ₹16 LPA TCS, PwC, HDFC Bank IIM Jammu (IPM) Jammu Integrated BBA + MBA ₹8 LPA ₹15 LPA Infosys, ZS Associates IIM Ranchi (IPM) Ranchi Integrated BBA + MBA ₹8 LPA ₹14 LPA Amazon, ZS Associates
4. NPAT
Purpose: Admission to undergraduate courses at NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies).
Subjects Covered: Quantitative and Numerical Ability, Reasoning, Verbal Ability.
Top 5 Colleges Accepting NPAT Scores
College Name Location Popular Courses Average Package (INR) Highest Package (INR) Top Recruiters NMIMS Mumbai Mumbai BBA, B.Com (Hons), B.Sc, B.Tech ₹9 LPA ₹24 LPA Google, Deloitte, EY NMIMS Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai BBA, BBA+MBA, B.Com, B.Tech ₹8 LPA ₹22 LPA Accenture, JP Morgan, Amazon NMIMS Bangalore Bangalore BBA, B.Com (Hons), B.Sc ₹7 LPA ₹18 LPA HDFC Bank, Cognizant, ZS NMIMS Hyderabad Hyderabad BBA, B.Com, BBA+MBA ₹7 LPA ₹16 LPA Infosys, ICICI Bank, TCS NMIMS Indore Indore BBA, B.Com, BBA+MBA ₹6 LPA ₹14 LPA Wipro, ITC, Kotak Mahindra
Top Entrance Exams After 12th for Arts Students
1. CUET (UG)
Purpose: Admission to a wide range of undergraduate courses like BA, BBA, BCom, and more.
Subjects Covered: Language, Domain Subjects, General Test.
Check CUET Online Coaching Institute for Board + CUET Preparation and give your exam journey the right start!
2. NIFT Entrance Exam
Purpose: Admission to fashion designing courses at NIFTs across India.
Subjects Covered: Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT).
3. CLAT
Purpose: Admission to National Law Universities (NLUs) and other law colleges.
Subjects Covered: English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques.
4. NID DAT
Purpose: Admission to design programs at the National Institute of Design.
Subjects Covered: Design aptitude through creative tests.
Other Popular Entrance Exams After 12th
Hotel Management Entrance (NCHM JEE)
Defense Services (NDA Exam)
Architecture Entrance (NATA)
Mass Communication Entrance (IIMC Entrance Exam)
Tips to Prepare for Entrance Exams After 12th
Start early with a well-structured study plan.
Understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
Take regular mock tests and practice previous year papers.
Focus on time management and accuracy.
Stay consistent and keep a positive attitude.
Final Thoughts
Clearing an entrance exam after 12th can open doors to top colleges and rewarding careers. Whether you aspire to be an engineer, doctor, lawyer, designer, or entrepreneur, the right preparation and strategy are key to success. Identify your interests, choose the right exam, and start preparing with dedication!