After Class 12, almost every good undergraduate seat in India sits behind an entrance exam. Knowing which exams apply to you — and when they happen — is half the battle. Miss an application window and you may lose a whole year.
This guide lists the major entrance exams after 12th, grouped by stream, with who conducts them and the months they are usually held. Dates change every year, so always confirm on the official website before you apply.
The one exam almost everyone should know: CUET UG
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the gateway to undergraduate programmes at central universities such as Delhi University, BHU and JNU, and to many state and private universities that accept its scores.
- Who can take it: students from any stream
- Usually held: May–June, with registration opening early in the year
- Why it matters: it opens B.A., B.Com, B.Sc and many professional programmes in a single exam
Entrance exams for Science (PCM)
| Exam | For | Conducted by | Usually held |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Main | B.Tech/B.E. at NITs, IIITs and many other colleges | NTA | January and April (two sessions) |
| JEE Advanced | IITs | One of the IITs, by rotation | May–June (after JEE Main) |
| BITSAT | BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad | BITS | May–June |
| State CETs (MHT CET, KCET, WBJEE, etc.) | State engineering colleges | State bodies | April–May |
| NATA | B.Arch | Council of Architecture | Multiple attempts, spring–summer |
| NDA | Army, Navy and Air Force officer entry | UPSC | Twice a year |
| IISER Aptitude Test | BS-MS at IISERs | IISERs | May–June |
For JEE Main 2027, NTA has announced Session 1 for 22–24 and 28–30 January 2027.
Not sure which path fits you?
Take the free CareerTest Education psychometric test — 36 questions, 15–20 minutes, instant 25-section report.
Take the Free Career Test →Entrance exams for Science (PCB)
| Exam | For | Conducted by | Usually held |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEET UG | MBBS, BDS, AYUSH courses, B.V.Sc and more | NTA | May |
| CUET UG | B.Sc programmes, agriculture (ICAR seats) and allied sciences | NTA | May–June |
| University/state tests | Nursing, pharmacy, allied health | Varies | Varies |
Entrance exams for Commerce
| Exam | For | Conducted by | Usually held |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET UG | B.Com, economics, BBA at central universities | NTA | May–June |
| CA Foundation | Chartered Accountancy | ICAI | Three times a year |
| CSEET | Company Secretary | ICSI | Several times a year |
| IPMAT | Five-year integrated management (IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak) | IIMs | May |
| NPAT / SET / university tests | BBA and B.Com at private universities | Individual universities | Early in the year |
Entrance exams for Arts / Humanities
| Exam | For | Conducted by | Usually held |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET UG | BA programmes at central universities | NTA | May–June |
| CLAT | BA LLB / BBA LLB at National Law Universities | Consortium of NLUs | December |
| AILET | NLU Delhi | NLU Delhi | December |
| NIFT entrance | Fashion design and management | NIFT | January–February |
| NID DAT | Design | NID | December–January |
| UCEED | B.Des at IITs | IIT Bombay | January |
| NCHM JEE | Hotel management | NTA | April–May |
Exams open to every stream
Many exams do not care which stream you studied: CUET UG, CLAT, NIFT, NID DAT, NCHM JEE, IPMAT and most university-specific tests for BBA, media and liberal arts. This is why your career interest matters more than your stream when planning exams.
How to plan your entrance exam calendar
- Shortlist careers first, exams second. Decide which two or three career paths interest you, then list only the exams those paths need.
- Build a calendar in Class 11. Note registration windows — many close three to four months before the exam.
- Keep a backup. Pair one competitive exam (say, JEE or CLAT) with CUET to keep your options open.
- Don’t over-apply. Preparing for five unrelated exams usually means doing badly in all of them.
- Check eligibility carefully — subject requirements, minimum marks and age limits vary.
Not sure which career direction fits you? The free CareerTest Education psychometric test maps your interests and strengths to career clusters, so you can shortlist exams with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most important entrance exam after 12th?
For most students it is CUET UG, because it covers a huge range of programmes. For engineering it is JEE Main, and for medicine it is NEET UG.
Can I give JEE and NEET both?
Yes, if you studied PCMB. But preparing seriously for both is very demanding; most students focus on one.
Are there good colleges without an entrance exam?
Yes — many private universities and state colleges admit on Class 12 marks or their own simple tests. Check each college’s accreditation and placement record carefully.
Where can I find official dates?
On the official websites: NTA (for JEE Main, NEET UG, CUET UG, NCHM JEE), the Consortium of NLUs (CLAT), ICAI (CA Foundation), NIFT, NID and the respective IIT for JEE Advanced and UCEED.
Next step
Take the free career test to narrow your exam list, then read our guide on how to choose the right college in India.