Regardless of whether you’ve recently completed high school or are planning on doing so soon, understanding which entrance exams after 12th to aim is crucial. Depending on your stream (i.e. Science, Commerce, Humanities), there are numerous national or state-level entrance exams after 12th that will allow you access to some of the most prestigious universities and colleges.
This guide will inform you about the entrance exams after 12th in addition to their respective eligibility criteria, exam structure and format as well as the subsequent actions to take following successful completion of the exam(s). This isn’t an advertisement, this is all the information required in order for you to achieve success through entrance examination completion!
Importance of Entrance Exams After 12th
You put a lot of effort into preparing for the board examinations. Unfortunately, many top colleges in India have begun to adopt a new system by not using your board percentage for entrance into their programs anymore. Engineering colleges are grading students based on their JEE score. A student applying for admission to a medical college must present their NEET score upon submission. Any student who is applying for admission to law schools must submit a CLAT score. Even programs in the liberal arts now require students to submit a CUET score for admission.
Entrance exams after 12th also give chance to students from smaller towns to compete with students from big city coaching houses. Entrance examinations are the great equalizer for rural students against those from urban areas. Your percentage at 12th is essential for admission, but your entrance examination ranking is even more important than your percentage at 12th.
The entrance exams after 12th determines what course of study you will be taking for the next four years of your life and ultimately determines your career path. Engineering, medicine, law, designing, business management, etc.; each of these areas has different entrance examinations. It is imperative that you select the right entrance exams after 12th and that you submit all of your entrance examination documents on time.
Entrance Exams After 12th Science
Entrance Exams After 12th PCM
If you are an aspiring engineer, architect, or scientist, there are many entrance exams after 12th that are available to you. Below is a brief outline of some of the more popular ones.
JEE Main
The JEE Main is one of the main entrance exams after 12th for getting into the country’s premier engineering colleges. Each year, nearly 12 lakh students compete against each other in this examination. The exam takes place in two sessions (January and April), and your highest score will be considered. There are 90 multiple-choice questions in total across three subjects (physics, chemistry, and mathematics), and you have three hours to complete the entire test.
The top 2.5 lakh rank holders in JEE Main will be eligible to attempt the JEE Advanced for entry into the IIT’s. The syllabus will include the content of the NCERT textbooks for the 11th and 12th grades; however, the questions will require you to have a strong understanding of the concepts presented.
JEE Advanced
You must pass the JEE Main before you can take the JEE Advanced in order to be eligible for admission to the IIT’s. Roughly 2.5 lakh students will compete for the approximately 16,000 available seats in IIT’s this year. The JEE Advanced is made up of two mandatory three-hour question papers; the difficulty level will be much greater than that of the JEE Main. You will also need to meet specified minimum percentage levels in both subject areas in order to qualify.
BITSAT
The BITSAT is one of the entrance exams after 12th for the BITS Pilani’s ( Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses). This computer-based test consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering five subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning). The length of the exam will be three hours, and the answers you give will affect your admission to a BITS campus. You will also need to submit your 12th grade percentage along with your examination score in order to be considered for final admission.
VITEEE and SRMJEEE
VITEEE and SRMJEEE both have 125 questions with no penalties for incorrect responses; and both in a timed environment on computers over the same period of time in April/May.
State Engineering Exams
Every state conducts its own Engineering Entrance Examination and most of these state tests are considered easier than the JEE Main, with many offering local colleges at lower fees: MHT-CET(maharashtra), KCET(karnataka), TS/AP/EAMCET (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh), WBJEE (West Bengal), and COMEDK.
Architecture Exams
The main entrance exams after 12th for Architecture are the NATA (National Aptitude Test for Architecture) and JEE Main Paper 2(B. Arch). Students may also apply for admission to National Institutes of Technology (NIT) using the JEE Main Paper 2.
Entrance Exams After 12th PCB
NEET UG
NEET UG is the National medical/dental Entrance Examination for all admissions to medical and dental colleges in India. It is held once a year (May) by the National testing Agency (NTA). The exam contains 200 questions (50 in each of Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology) of which you must answer 180 questions in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
NEET has very strict negative marking policy (4 points for a correct answer and 1 point for an incorrect answer). The syllabus is based on the National Curriculum framework of the NCERT; many questions in Biology are taken directly from the NCERT textbooks. The competition for admission into Government medical colleges is fierce; 20+ lakh students will compete for less than 10% of available government medical colleges, and students must achieve a score of 600 or higher for good government medical colleges.
Other Medical Pathways
AIIMS and JIPMER recognise NEET for admission. For Veterinary/Animal Science and Agriculture, Apply through ICAR (AIEEA). Some States have separate entrance exams after 12th for State Quota Seats.
For PCM + Biology Students
Are you taking all major subjects? You can prepare for both entrance exams after 12th that is JEE and NEET and do both simultaneously, which can be overwhelming. For the most part, students will choose one test to focus on nearer the date of the test, however, if you plan to prepare for both tests, start early in the 11th Grade.
Entrance Exams After 12th Commerce
Many Commerce students believe that they do not have as many choices as Science students when it comes to furthering their education after 12th grade. It is important to realise that this misconception is simply not true. Below are the various entrance exams after 12th listed for commerce students:
Courses in Business and Economics
CUET UG
The CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test) will be required for DU, JNU, BHU and 45+ Central Universities beginning in 2020. The exam will have sections to assess proficiency in languages as well as a section to determine a candidate’s knowledge of the following domain subject(s): Accountancy, Business Studies, Mathematics, and Economics. The Computer Based Format will allow for multiple attempts during the months of May and June.
DU JAT
Delhi University’s Joint Admission Test is for the BMS, BBA (FIA) and BA Business Economics degree programmes. Questions from the following four areas: Quantitative Ability, Reasoning, English Language Proficiency and General Knowledge can be found on this exam and will contain 100 questions which must be answered within two hours.
IPMAT
Both IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak offer a 5 Year Integrated Program for Management. The IPMAT will test the following subjects: Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and written ability through a test of the candidate’s writing skills. Both programmes provide a wonderful opportunity for those interested in attending an IIMA at an early stage rather than waiting until after graduation from an undergraduate institution.
Other Commerce Entrance Exams
NMIMS provides an NPAT (National Priority Assessment Test) for both the BBA and BCom degree programmes. Symbiosis conducts a SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test) for a variety of undergraduate degree programmes, and an SLAT (Symbiosis Law Aptitude Test) for the BA LLB degree programme. Additionally, Christ University in Bangalore provides its own Entrance Test for admission into the BA BCom and BBA degree programme(s).
Law Programs for Commerce Students
Common Law Admissions Test (CLAT)
There are 22 NLU’s in the country, you will be taking (CLAT) which is comprised of 150 questions covering English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques to be completed in 120 Minutes. The exam occurs every year in the month of December.
AILET and LSAT
AILET is only for NLU Delhi but has a similar structure to that of CLAT. LSAT INDIA is accepted by many private law schools and it can be taken multiple times a year.
Some other Entrance exams after 12th for Commerce Students
For those wishing to pursue Hotel Management may take the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) JEE. There are also many Universities who have their own entrance exam for Journalism and Mass Communication Degree programs. University specific tests are also held for pursuing the Aviation Management Degree program.
Entrance Exams After 12th Humanities
The Humanities stream includes students who have options to pursue various careers in fields such as arts, social science, law, design and many others.
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
CUET-UG
For most central universities, including Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, wherever applicable, completing a CUET-UG examination is a requirement for admission into college programs offered by those universities. For example, the Humanities streams provide many choices when selecting domain subjects such as History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Economics (maximum of 6 choices).
Other University Entrance Exams
For candidates seeking admission to undergraduate programs related to arts at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) an entrance exam known as UET, conducted by BHU is required. Other universities such as Christ University, Ashoka University, and Flame University conduct individual entrance exams testing aptitude and subject knowledge.
Design and Creative Fields
UCEED
Using a computer based format, UCEED (i.e. Undergraduate Common Entrance for Design, organized for admission into IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, and IIITDM Jabalpur) tests candidates through Visualisation, Spatial Ability, Design Sensitivity, and Drawing skills.
NID-DAT & NIFT tests
The National Institute of Design conducts a Design Aptitude Test (DAT) that consists of two parts, a preliminary test and a main exam, where successful candidates then go through a portfolio review process. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) offers two distinct types of tests, a Creative Ability Test (CAT) and a General Ability Test (GAT) measuring candidates’ design thinking and ability to sketch designs. Various Private Design Institutes offer a similar examination process for their admission process, which include Pearl Academy, Symbiosis Institute of Design and MIT Institute of Design, Pune.
Law, Media, and Other Fields
The CLAT and AILET can be done by anyone in any stream to gain admission into Law colleges. The entrance tests of IIMC require students to have knowledge of General Knowledge, Current affairs and English before they can apply for a Journalism Degree from IIMC. The media communication tests are independent for different Universities and are conducted by Symbiosis and others. Delhi University offers a B. El. Ed Programmatic Entrance for students to pursue Elementary Education and TISS conducts the BAT program for those interested in doing Social Work.
Who it Works For
In the 11th Standard
The earlier you get started the better! The first 6 months should be spent strengthening your foundations across all subjects. Be sure to finish the entire 11th standard NCERT text before referencing other book sources. If you need help with organization, use coaching support, but you can also be very successful with self-study if you remain focused on preparing for entrance exams after 12th.
The next 6 months should be dedicated to finishing the topics that were taught in the 11th standard and moving on to 12th standard topics when they are taught, or even before if it is feasible to find the required resources. You should take the time every month to take some sort of test to learn about your weaknesses early.
In the 12th Standard (January-March).
Depending on when the exam is being held, you will have approximately 4 to 6 months to prepare. Use the first 1-2 months to review everything that was completed throughout the year. If you have not finished any topics, then complete them now! No further excuses will be accepted.
During the next 2 months (the third and fourth months), extensively review all previous year papers. Understanding the types of questions asked in entrance exams after 12th will greatly help you be prepared on exam day.
During the last 2 months before your exam, you should continue taking tests and reviewing the most important 2 or 3 topics. Do not attempt to learn new material one week before the exam. Focus on improving your skills in the areas that you have already learned throughout the year.
After 12th Boards (Drop Year)
A drop year can help if you need more preparation time for entrance exams after 12th. A structured way, like having a coaching institute or having a self-made study plan, will give you success. Just browsing on YouTube isn’t enough; you’ll need to have a proper timetable so you can study effectively.
Along with your timetable, ensure that you are doing full-length mock tests weekly and focusing on what you are weakest in (constantly review your weaknesses and mistakes). Make sure that you’re mentally healthy, which means having a proper routine, proper sleep, and taking study breaks to recharge. While it may be difficult, with a disciplined plan, you can get through your drop year successfully.
What Career Grow Karo recommends
Choose the exam you wish to prepare for based on your own interests rather than what others will be doing around you. Make sure that you have done enough research on this before making a decision.
Utilize all available resources to aid in your success. We provide guides, exam prep strategies, and breakdowns by career path so that you can make educated decisions based upon your specific needs and goals.
Develop a study plan that is realistic and follow through on it. Consistent study habits will always yield better results than intensive bursts of studying.
Remember to take care of your mental health throughout your preparation process. While the entrance exam will play a large part in determining your career, it does not fully define what will happen in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I prepare for multiple entrance exams after 12th at the same time?
You can prepare for many entrance exams after 12th at the same time; however, it is important to be strategic. It is OK to study for entrance exams after 12th that have overlapping syllabi, such as the JEE Main and state engineering entrance exams. You can also prepare for the JEE and NEET at the same time, but it is a lot of work!
2. Are coaching classes required to prepare for entrance exams after 12th?
While doing so is not required, coaching classes are helpful. They provide you with structure, competition, and expert coaching. While many students can be successful with their exam prep via self-study, it does take a lot of discipline and support in order to be successful.
3. If I do not pass any of the entrance exams after 12th, what do I do next?
You will still have several options available, including admission via management quota, courses that are not based on entrance exam scores, preparing for the exam during a “drop” year, or enrolling in a diploma course with lateral entry. Failing to pass one entrance exam will not prevent you from having a successful career!
4. When should I begin my entrance exam preparation?
A student should ideally begin by preparing to take entrance exams while in the 11th grade. Therefore, students will have two full years to prepare for these exams. While it is possible to prepare to take the entrance exams in the 12th grade, it can be quite stressful, especially after completing the board exams. Therefore, students should be focused on preparing for the entrance exams in their last year of school.
5. Do board exam marks matter if I am solely focused on preparing for entrance exams?
Board exam marks do matter for many universities. Most universities have minimum percentage requirements for board exams to qualify for admissions. Boards are much easier to score on than entrance exams, and as such they should not be overlooked when applying for colleges and universities.
Conclusion
Although entrance exams after 12th are intense in nature, they aren’t your only test and they aren’t a life sentence. You need to select the correct entrance exam for your career goals, prepare in an organised manner and do the best you can to succeed. You will either pass or take the test a second time. The important thing is you keep taking steps forward.
CareerGrowKaro supports you every step of the way, from the entrance exam process right through to building the career of your dreams. Take the time to look at our many study sources, career guides and tools designed for the Indian student.
