Complete List of Entrance Exams After 12th in India (Science, Commerce & Arts)

The moment Class 12 ends, the big question begins: “What next?”

For some, the answer feels obvious—engineering, medicine, law. On one side are your dreams—doctor, engineer, lawyer, designer, manager. On the other side is confusion—Which exam do I write? What if I miss the right one?

The truth is, there isn’t just one exam after 12th. India has dozens of entrance tests, each leading to different careers. Some open doors to top colleges, some secure government jobs, and others give you specialized skills.

This blog is written with that in mind. Think of it as a clear, no-nonsense guide—a place where you and your parents can see all the entrance exams after 12th in one place, compare them and, you’ll know exactly which exams matter for your future.

👉 This is just a snapshot—below we’ll break down each stream and exam with details on eligibility, syllabus, difficulty level, and career options.

We’ll look at exams based on your stream — Science, Commerce, or Arts. For each, we’ll cover career opportunities, salary expectations, and real-world tips.

If you’re a Class 12 student from the Science stream, your choices are broad. From engineering and medicine to research, defense, and pure sciences—each path begins with an entrance exam. Here are the major ones:

1. JEE Main & JEE Advanced

• Eligibility: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Maths.
• Why it matters: Gateway to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and top engineering colleges.
• Career outcome: Engineering, technology, research, start-ups.

2. BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test)

• Eligibility: Class 12 PCM students.
• Why it matters: Admission to BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad.
• Career outcome: Engineering + strong placement opportunities.

3. State-Level CETs (MHT-CET, KCET, WBJEE, etc.)

• Eligibility: PCM students in respective states.
• Why it matters: Local engineering colleges with lower fees.
• Career outcome: Engineering, IT, government-linked jobs.

1. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

• Eligibility: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
• Why it matters: Mandatory for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH courses in India.
• Career outcome: Doctors, dentists, medical researchers.

2. AIIMS & JIPMER (through NEET now)

• Why it matters: Prestigious institutions for medical studies.
• Career outcome: High-level medical education + research.

1. NDA (National Defence Academy)

• Eligibility: Class 12 with PCM (for Air Force/Navy).
• Why it matters: Direct entry into Army, Navy, Air Force.
• Career outcome: Permanent commission in defense services.

2. CUET (Science courses in central universities)

• Eligibility: Class 12 Science.
• Why it matters: Admission to BSc, integrated MSc, research programs.
• Career outcome: Research, academia, higher studies.

3. ISI/ IISER / NEST Exams

• Why it matters: For students who love research in mathematics, statistics, and sciences.
• Career outcome: Scientist, data scientist, researcher.

For Commerce students, the career landscape is just as diverse. From Chartered Accountancy to management, finance, law, and economics—different entrance exams open doors to different professional paths. Here’s the breakdown:

1. CA Foundation (ICAI)

• Eligibility: Class 12 (any stream, but Commerce students have an edge).
• Why it matters: First step to becoming a Chartered Accountant.
• Career outcome: CA, finance consultant, taxation expert, auditor.

2. CS Foundation (Company Secretary)

• Eligibility: Class 12 pass in any stream.
• Why it matters: Opens career in corporate governance, compliance.
• Career outcome: Company Secretary, corporate advisor.

3. CMA Foundation (Cost & Management Accountancy)

• Eligibility: Class 12 in any stream.
• Why it matters: Specializes in cost and management accounting.
• Career outcome: Cost accountant, financial analyst.

1. IPMAT (IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, etc.)

• Eligibility: Class 12 with minimum 60%.
• Why it matters: 5-year integrated BBA + MBA at IIMs.
• Career outcome: Business management, consulting, entrepreneurship.

2. NPAT (NMIMS University)

• Eligibility: Class 12 (any stream).
• Why it matters: Admissions into BBA, B.Com (Hons), Finance, Economics.
• Career outcome: Corporate jobs, business roles, higher studies.

3. SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test)

• Eligibility: Class 12 pass.
• Why it matters: Opens doors to BBA, Law, Liberal Arts at Symbiosis.
• Career outcome: Business, law, media, international careers.

1. CUET (Commerce Subjects)

• Why it matters: Admissions into B.Com, Economics, Business Studies in central universities.
• Career outcome: Higher studies, research, corporate sector.

2. DU JAT (Now under CUET)

• Why it matters: For BBA, BMS, BFIA at Delhi University.
• Career outcome: Strong placements in finance & consulting.

3. Christ University Entrance Test, St. Xavier’s, IP University CET

• Why it matters: Popular private universities with strong commerce courses.
• Career outcome: Business, economics, finance careers.

If you’ve taken Arts or Humanities in Class 12, your career choices are wide-ranging. Law, design, fashion, psychology, media, social sciences—each has its own entrance exams. Here are the most important ones:

1. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

• Eligibility: Class 12 (any stream) with 45% marks.
• Why it matters: Admission into top NLUs (National Law Universities).
• Career outcome: Lawyer, judge, corporate legal advisor.

2. AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)

• Why it matters: Specifically for NLU Delhi (prestigious law college).
• Career outcome: Legal practice, litigation, corporate law.

3. LSAT India

• Why it matters: Accepted by many private law schools in India.
• Career outcome: Law practice, legal research, corporate sector.

1. NID DAT (National Institute of Design – Design Aptitude Test)

• Eligibility: Class 12 in any stream.
• Why it matters: Top design institute in India.
• Career outcome: Industrial designer, graphic designer, product developer.

2. NIFT Entrance Exam (Fashion Technology)

• Why it matters: Admission to India’s best fashion & textile colleges.
• Career outcome: Fashion designer, stylist, merchandiser.

3. UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design)

• Why it matters: Admission to IITs for B.Des programs.
• Career outcome: UX/UI designer, product design, creative industries.

1. CUET (Arts Subjects)

• Why it matters: Admission to BA, Psychology, Political Science, Journalism in Central Universities.
• Career outcome: Media, academics, civil services, social sciences.

2. TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences – BA Programs)

• Why it matters: Focus on social sciences, liberal arts, and social work.
• Career outcome: NGO sector, policy, academics.

3. Christ University, St. Xavier’s, Ashoka University

• Why it matters: Popular private universities with strong arts/liberal arts programs.
• Career outcome: Media, psychology, economics, leadership roles.

Not every student wants to go the traditional JEE/NEET/CLAT route. Some exams open doors to global education, skill-based careers, and creative industries.

• Global Exams – SAT, IELTS, TOEFL → Pathway to universities abroad.
• Skill-Oriented Courses – Hotel Management (NCHMCT JEE), Aviation entrance exams, Animation/Multimedia tests.
• Vocational & Professional Certifications – Banking, finance diplomas, digital marketing certifications.

👉 These options are often overlooked but can lead to stable and rewarding careers without the stress of cut-throat competition.

👉 The takeaway: “Easy” doesn’t always mean “less rewarding.” It depends on your interests, strengths, and how you plan your career path.

Choosing the right entrance exam after 12th is not about chasing the toughest or most popular one—it’s about finding the exam that aligns with your stream, interests, and career goals.

For some, that might mean aiming high with IITs, AIIMS, or NLUs. For others, it could mean taking CUET for central universities, preparing for CA, or even exploring design, fashion, or global exams.

👉 The key is clarity. If you’re still unsure, professional career counselling can help you map your strengths to the right exam and career path.