It is that time of the year again when lakhs of students across India will clear their class 12 examination and appear for many Entrance Exams. These entrance examinations are conducted for admission to various colleges and institutes nationwide in different streams. It was in 1901 that the first entrance test was conducted in India for college admission. The Boards exams started in 1977. As time passed, the education sector in India evolved profoundly. Today, various types of entrance exams are held for students to get admission to the top colleges in India. There are various entrance exams like the medical entrance exam after the 12th, law entrance exams in India, engineering exam, and other common entrance exams in India. The entrance exams after class 12 are conducted for admission to various UG courses. In this article, we will provide a detailed list of entrance exams in 2024 and how to apply for different entrance exams for college admission in 2024.
- ▪ An Overview of Entrance Exams in India
- ▪ About the Entrance Exam Process
- ▪ List of Entrance Exams in India
- ▪ A brief about Entrance Exams in India
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Engineering Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Medical Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Defence Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Fashion & Design Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Humanity & Social Science Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Agriculture & Hotel Management Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Law Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Social Science Courses after 10+2
- ▪ College Entrance Exam for Mathematics Courses after 10+2
- ▪ What After Entrance Exams
- ▪ Wrapping Up
- ▪ FAQs on Entrance Exams
An Overview of Entrance Exams in India
There are various entrance exams in India after class 12. A student of class 12 appears for the Boards exam from Science, Commerce, or Arts (Humanities) stream. The entrance exam for admission to colleges in India is conducted based on a student’s subject expertise and preference. There are various categories;
- Medical Entrance Exam after the 12th for those interested in pursuing MBBS after their 10+2.
- Engineering Entrance to various UG courses available in India in different Engineering institutes.
- Law Entrance Examination for students planning to pursue Law after their 10+2.
- Defence Entrance Exam for those who wish to serve the nation.
- Fashion & Design Entrance Exams for admission to fashion & designing institutes.
- Hotel Management Entrance Exams
- Agriculture Management Entrance Exams
- CUET
- And other Entrance Exams
About the Entrance Exam Process
The entrance exams are broadly based on the syllabus from class 9 to class 12. The syllabus and notifications for each exam are released four to five months before the entrance exam date. A student prepares as per the syllabus of the exam. Many other reference study materials, mock test papers, sample papers, and last year’s papers are available online for preparation for entrance exams.
The Pattern of Entrance Exams in India
- Mostly the entrance examinations are objective types with MCQs.
- In these test papers, candidates must select one correct answer for each question.
- In the digital age, many entrance exams are conducted online as well.
- Specific entrance exams have negative markings for wrong answers. Please check the exam pattern for the entrance exam you appear for.
- The cut-off is based on the score of the entrance test and your class 12 percentile.
- The admission to the college of your preference is made based on the merit list.
List of Entrance Exams in India
The list of entrance exams in India that will be conducted in 2024 is given below:
| List of Examination after 10+2 | Notification | Exam Dates | Result Dates |
| Engineering | |||
| JEE Main | December | Jan-Feb | Feb |
| JEE Advanced | April | June | June |
| BITSAT | Jan-April | May-Jun | July |
| COMED-K | Feb-April | May | June |
| IPU-CET (B.Tech) | April-May | June | July |
| Manipal (B.Tech) Phase 1 | March | April | June |
| Manipal (B.Tech) Phase 2 | March | May | June |
| VITEEE | March | April | July |
| AMU (B.Tech) (through CUET) | Feb | May | July |
| NDA NA 1 | December | April | May |
| NDA NA 2 | December | Sep | Sep |
| Medical | |||
| NEET | Feb | May | June |
| Defence | |||
| Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test | Mar | June | June |
| Indian Navy B.Tech Entry Scheme | Jan | Merit | Jun-Jul |
| Indian Navy Sailors Recruitment | Dec | Feb | To be notified |
| Indian Army Technical Entry Scheme | Aug | On the basis of JEE score | At the time of selection |
| NDA & NA | Dec | Apr | May |
| Fashion & Design | |||
| NIFT (GAT & CAT) | Nov | Feb | May |
| National Institute of Design Admissions NID DAT | Oct | Prelims-Jan Mains-April | Prelims- Feb Mains-May |
| All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED) | Feb | April | Jun |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design (SEED) | Sep | Jan | Jan |
| Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI AIST) | Dec | Jun | Jun |
| National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) | April | Jun, Jul, Aug | Jun. Jul, Aug |
| Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) UG | Mar | May | Jun |
| Humanity and Social Sciences | |||
| Central University Entrance Test (CUET) for UG courses | Apr | Jul | Sep |
| TISS Bachelors Admission Test (TISS-BAT) | Feb | May | Jun |
| The English and Foreign Languages University Hyderabad Entrance Test | Admission through CUET | ||
| Agriculture & Hotel Management | |||
| Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR AIEEA-UG-PG | Admission through CUET | ||
| Integrated Program in Management Admission Test (IPMAT) | Mar | Jun | Jun |
| All India Hotel management Entrance Exam NCHMCT JEE | Feb | May | Jun |
| BUAT or Banda University of Agriculture and Technology | Feb | May | Jun |
| Law | |||
| Common Law Admission Test | Aug | Dec | Dec |
| All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) | Sep | Dec | Dec |
| Science | |||
| Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (JEST) | May | Jul | Aug |
| National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) | Feb | Jun | Jul |
| Mathematics | |||
| Indian Statistical Institute Admission | Mar | May | Jun |
| BHU Undergraduate Entrance Test (BHU UET) | through CUET |
A brief about Entrance Exams in India
Here is a brief description of various entrance exams after 10+2:
College Entrance Exam for Engineering Courses after 10+2
1. JEE (Main) Exam
The JEE (Main) exam is conducted for admission to various B.Tech, B. Arch, and B. Planning courses. Students can be admitted to various IIITs, NITs, and other institutes accepting JEE (Main) merit. This is also a qualifying exam for students planning to get admission to various IITs, IISs, ISM, and other institutes.
Mode of Examination: The IIT JEE (Main) exam is conducted online.
2. IIT JEE (Advanced) Exam
The JEE (Advanced) exam is conducted for the students who qualify for the JEE (Main) exam. The students who clear this exam can enrol for engineering courses in IITs, IISc, ISM, and other institutes.
Mode of Examination: The IIT JEE (Advanced) Exam is conducted online.
3. BITSAT Exam 2024
The BITSAT Exam is conducted by the Birla Institute of Technology and Science for admission to various engineering and science programmes available at BITS Pilani, BITS Goa, and BITS Hyderabad.
Mode of Examination: The examination is conducted online.
4. COMEDK Exam 2024
The COMEDK exam, or Consortium of Medical, Engineering, and Dental Colleges of Karnataka, conducts the entrance test for class 12 students for admission to around 190 unaided private engineering colleges in Karnataka.
Mode of Examination: The COMEDK examination is conducted through online mode.
5. IPU-CET (B.Tech) Exam 2024
The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University conducts the IPU-CET (B.Tech) exam for admission to various B.Tech courses.
Mode of Examination: IPU-CET exam is conducted offline.
6. Manipal (B. Tech)
Manipal Entrance Test (MET 2024) is an exam conducted by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Students interested in admission to the B. Tech courses can apply online. The exam is conducted in two phases.
Mode of Examination- The MET exam is a computer-based test.
7. VITEEE
Vellore Institute of Technology conducts VIT Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) every year for students interested in admission to various Bachelor’s courses in Engineering. The two-and-a-half-hour exam is MCQ based and includes five sections: Aptitude, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, and English.
Mode of Examination: The VITEEE is a computer-based test.
College Entrance Exam for Medical Courses after 10+2
NEET
NEET, or National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test, is conducted for 10+2 students interested in pursuing Medical courses. The NEET test assesses a student’s merit for admission to various Medical undergraduate courses like MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BHMS, Veterinary, etc.
Mode of Examination: The three hours and twenty minutes long exam is conducted offline at exam centres allocated to candidates.
College Entrance Exam for Defence Courses after 10+2
NDA & NA Entrance Test
The Union Public Service Commission, or UPSC, conducts the NDA & NA Entrance Test for 10+2 students for Army, Navy, and Air Force admission.
Mode of Examination: The NDA & NA Entrance test is an offline examination with objective-type questions.
College Entrance Exam for Fashion & Design Courses after 10+2
1. NIFT
The exam for Fashion & Designing courses at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is conducted in two parts, General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT).
Mode of Examination: The GAT test for NIFT is computer-based, while CAT is conducted offline.
2. NID DAT Exam
The NID DAT Exam is conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to bachelor’s courses in Designing. Many other Fashion Institutes in India also accept the NID DAT exam marks.
Mode of Examination: The NID DAT is an offline exam with subjective and objective questions.
3. SEED
Symbiosis Institute of Design conducts the SEED or Symbiosis Entrance Exam for the Bachelor in Design programme.
Mode of Examination: The examination is conducted online, followed by Portfolio Review and Personal Interaction (PRPI).
4. AIEED
All India Entrance Examination or AIEED is conducted by ARCH College of Design & Business in various Design and Entrepreneurial courses.
Mode of Examination: The AIEED exam is conducted online.
5. FDDI AIST
The Footwear Design & Development Institute conducts FDDI AIST. The selection test is a national-level test conducted in English and Hindi languages. Interested candidates can apply online.
Mode of Examination: The two and a half hours test is conducted offline.
6. NATA
National Aptitude Test in Architecture or NATA is compulsory for students to get admission to Architecture courses. This is a government-recognised test conducted by The Council of Architecture.
Mode of Examination: The three-hour test is conducted online.
7. CEPT UG
The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology conducts the CEPT entrance test. The entrance test is conducted for 10+2 students to get admission to UG courses in Interior Design, Urban Design and Management, and many other related courses.
Mode of Examination: The MCQ-based test is conducted online.
College Entrance Exam for Humanity & Social Science Courses after 10+2
1. CUET
CUET, or Central University Entrance Test for UG courses, is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to various UG courses in Central Universities across India.
Mode of Examination: The CUET entrance test is a Computer-Based Test.
2. TISS BAT
The Tata Institute for Social Sciences, or TISS, conducts the TISS BAT entrance test for admission to various undergraduate programmes in Arts and Social Sciences streams.
Mode of Examination: The 90 minutes entrance test is conducted offline.
College Entrance Exam for Agriculture & Hotel Management Courses after 10+2
1. IPMAT
IIM Indore conducts the IPMAT entrance test for admission to a five-year integrated programme in Management (BBA+MBA).
Mode of Examination: The 2-hour test is conducted online with MCQs and Subjective type questions.
2. NCHMCT JEE
The National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Test or NCHMCT JEE is conducted by National Testing Agency for admission to Hospitality and Hotel Management Courses.
Mode of Examination: The Joint Entrance Exam is conducted online.
3. BUAT
BUAT, or Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, conducts the UPCATET entrance test for admission to Agriculture & Horticulture courses.
Mode of Examination: The examination is conducted offline.
College Entrance Exam for Law Courses after 10+2
1. CLAT
The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts the Common Law Admission Test or CLAT for admission to various Law courses. Around 61 colleges accept the CLAT exam score.
Mode of Examination: The exam is conducted offline.
2. All India Law Entrance Test (AILET)
The National Law University conducts the AILET entrance test for admission to various undergraduate, PG, and Doctorate courses. This test is conducted exclusively for admission to National Law University in Delhi. However, many other institutes do accept the AILET marks for admission.
Mode of Examination: The examination is conducted online.
College Entrance Exam for Social Science Courses after 10+2
1. JEST
The Joint Entrance Screening Test or JEST is conducted for admission to various Science courses at the national level.
Mode of Examination: The JEST entrance test is conducted offline.
2. NEST
The National Entrance Screening Test or NEST is conducted by the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, and Mumbai University (Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences-UM-DAE CEBS) together. The entrance test allows a student to get admission to integrated M Sc programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Mode of Examination: The NEST entrance test is conducted online.
College Entrance Exam for Mathematics Courses after 10+2
Indian Statistical Institute Admission Test
The ISI test is conducted for admission to undergraduate courses in Statistics by the Indian Statistical Institute. Interested candidates can apply online.
Mode of Examination: The ISI Admission test is conducted offline.
What After Entrance Exams
After completing their entrance test, students wait for the results. Once the results are out, the students who crack the entrance test are called for counselling or an interview. They are allotted an institute and course based on their marks and counselling session. If the student is satisfied with the course and institutes allotted, they can start the admission procedure or explore other institutes that accept the entrance test they have cleared.
Wrapping Up
The entrance test is crucial in every student’s life, especially for those who clear their 10+2 and begin the journey toward their goal. This is not the time to let stress or negativity impact you in any way. Be focused and prepare well. All the best!
FAQs on Entrance Exams
Q1. What are the benefits of Entrance Exams?
Entrance exams in India are conducted for admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, and Doctorate level courses. However, entrance tests after class 12 help you understand your ability & aptitude based on which a student gets admission to a college and course. Entrance exams ready a student to face the challenges of the competitive world.
Q2. How many types of entrance exams are there?
There are various entrance exams in India after class 12 based on the subjects and stream of a student. Students interested in the Medical stream can appear for NEET, while students interested in Engineering can appear for JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced). Many other entrance tests are elaborated on in the article.
Q3. What type of questions are asked in the common entrance exam?
The questions in any entrance exams are broadly based on the class 9 to class 12 syllabus. Most entrance exams are MCQ based.
Q4. What is the toughest entrance test in India?
There is nothing you cannot achieve if you are prepared. However, the following are the exams that are considered hard to crack;
· NEET
· JEE (Main)
· JEE (Advanced)
· NDA NA
· CLAT
