Entrance Exams After 12th Explained: JEE, NEET, CUET, CLAT, CA and More (2026)
Fees, cutoffs, exam dates and scholarship amounts change every year. Treat this article as a starting point and confirm details on the official website before you apply. MakeMyCareer.AI's recommendations are AI-generated guidance, not a guarantee of admission or outcomes.
Every year millions of students prepare for the wrong exam because friends or coaching centres pushed them. Start from the career, work backwards to the course, and only then pick the exam. This guide lists the main exams after 12th, who conducts them and what they lead to. Always check the official website for the latest eligibility, pattern, dates and fees — they change.
Engineering and architecture
JEE Main and JEE Advanced
JEE Main is used for admission to NITs, IIITs and many other engineering institutions, and also decides eligibility for JEE Advanced, which is the route to the IITs. Many states and private universities have their own tests or accept JEE scores. Students typically need Physics, Chemistry and Maths in Class 12.
BITSAT, state CETs and university tests
BITS Pilani runs BITSAT; most states run their own engineering entrance exams, and several private universities run separate tests. Check which ones your shortlisted colleges accept.
Medicine and allied health
NEET-UG
NEET-UG is the single national entrance for MBBS, BDS and many allied-health and AYUSH courses in India. Students typically need Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12. Seats are limited and competition is intense, so build a Plan B among biotech, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy and other health-science routes.
General university degrees
CUET-UG
CUET-UG scores are used for undergraduate admission to central universities and many state, deemed and private universities across Arts, Science, Commerce and other programmes. Which subjects you must take depends on the course and university, so read each admission notice carefully.
Law
CLAT and AILET
For 5-year integrated law degrees at National Law Universities. Open to students from any stream. Some universities use LSAT-India or their own tests (for example SLAT).
Design
UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT
UCEED is for B.Des at IITs and some other institutes; NID and NIFT run their own design entrance exams. Open to students from any stream, with a strong emphasis on design aptitude and drawing.
Management after 12th
IPMAT and other integrated-programme tests
Some IIMs offer 5-year integrated management programmes after Class 12 through IPMAT. Many universities also run their own management entrance tests (for example NPAT, SET). Standard MBA admission (CAT and others) comes after graduation.
Commerce and finance
CA Foundation, CMA Foundation, CS Foundation
Professional bodies (ICAI for CA, ICMAI for CMA, ICSI for CS) run their own entry-level exams for students after Class 12. These are long professional routes; check the current registration and eligibility rules on the body's website.
How to avoid exam-prep mistakes
- Preparing for too many exams at once. Two aligned exams are fine; five unrelated ones dilute everything.
- Copying friends. A good score in the wrong exam helps no one.
- Ignoring Plan B. List 2–3 colleges and courses you would be happy with if the top choice does not work out.
- Trusting rumours about dates or cutoffs. Use the official exam website and the college's own admission page.
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Frequently asked questions
Which entrance exam should I take after 12th?
It depends on the course you want: JEE for engineering, NEET-UG for medicine and allied health, CUET-UG for many university degrees, CLAT or AILET for law, UCEED or NID DAT for design, IPMAT for integrated management programmes, and CA Foundation for chartered accountancy.
Who conducts JEE, NEET and CUET?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts JEE Main, NEET-UG and CUET-UG. JEE Advanced is conducted by one of the IITs on a rotating basis.
Can Arts students take CLAT or design entrance exams?
Yes. CLAT, AILET, UCEED and NID DAT are open to students from any stream, subject to each exam's current eligibility rules.
Where can I find exam dates and eligibility?
Only on the official website of the conducting body. Dates, patterns and fees change every year, so avoid relying on social media posts or third-party summaries.