What after Class 12? Many entrance exams to try

Very few Class 12 students get an opportunity to relax and take a break from their studies after their Board exams are over.  Most of them have to immediately renew their preparations for the various entrance exams to get into a good college for higher studies.

Many years ago, this was true only for science students who aspired to get into engineering and medicine. Still, it is equally applicable to many ambitious commerce and arts students. Since entrance exams are spaced over a wide range of dates, the studies and revision have to continue without a break, especially among those unsure which field to take up, and they end up appearing for entrance exams for a wide range of degrees. 

Those opting for engineering usually appear for many exams, not just JEE, CET and COMED-K. They must also prioritise the institution they will opt for if they get selected by many. Though, thankfully, the MBBS entrance exam has been centralised across the country through NEET, most other professional courses require candidates to appear for individual entrance tests. Also, since NEET is highly competitive with a limited number of seats available, many students get dejected and confused about the alternatives if they do not manage a seat.

Here is a list that, though not exhaustive, is comprehensive enough to help you plan, prepare well, and make a list of preferences. List out your priorities and the dates of exams so that in case you fail to make it in your most preferred course, you can have a Plan B:

Engineering

JEE Main, April 2-8. Apply at jeemain.nta.nic.in, Eligibility: Physics, Mathematics, and any one of Chemistry, Biology, or Technical Vocational Subjects, those who have appeared in 2023, 24 or 25.

JEE Main for Architecture—April 9, for those who have studied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.

KCET Exam: April 16 and 17, 2025. P+M+ Chem or Electronics or CS. Not for Open University candidates.

COMED-K (for private engineering colleges): exam May 10.  comedk.org

BITS Pilani, Hyderabad and Goa Entrance test BITSAT May 26-30 and June 22-26. Last date: April 18 (require 75% in PCM)

Vellore Institute of Technology entrance test VITEE April 20-27 (require 60% in PCM) viteee.vit.ac.in

Manipal Institute of Technology test on April 18, 19 and 12. www.manipal.edu/entrancetest 

Other courses

Medicine: For MBBS, BDS (Dentistry) etc. National Eligibility Entrance Test NEET(UG) on 4th May. Min 50% in PC+Biology or Biotechnology. Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have own selection procedures based on NEET results.

Law: Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for 24 National Law Universities (NLUs). The Tentative date for 2026 entry is December 7, 2025. Eligibility: 12th with any subjects. See consortiumofnlus.ac.in 
All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) conducted by National Law University, Delhi, exam in Dec 2025.

Law School Admission Test-India (LSAT-India) is held multiple times a year, primarily for private law colleges. Website: lsac.org 
Other law colleges have their own entrance process, based on the percentage in Class 12 

Architecture: National Aptitude Test for Architecture (NATA) 2025 exam dates: March 7 to June 28, 2025, on Fridays and Saturdays. Last Date to apply: June 26 at www.nata.in. Bookings are open until 72 hours before the chosen exam date, subject to slot availability. Mathematics is compulsory in Class 12 exam. After clearing NATA, you can apply to colleges of your choice.

Design: UCEED for B.Design in IITs etc. held in January every year.  Apply by November of the previous year. Class 12 with any subjects.  uceed.iitb.ac.in

National Institute of Design (NID) Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is held in two stages: Prelims in January and Mains from March to April. Apply in December of the previous year at admissions.nid.edu. Private design schools have their own selection procedure.

Hospitality: National Council for Hotel Management exam on April 27 for BSc Hotel & Hospitality Administration course in various affiliated institutions nationwide. See nchmjee.nta.nic.in. Reputed colleges run by Oberoi, Taj and Welcomegroup Hotels offer four-year Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) and culinary arts courses through their entrance tests.

Fashion Technology: NIFT (National Institutes of Fashion Technology) General Ability Test (GAT) and a Creative Ability Test (CAT) February 9, for BDesign and B.F.Tech. (Apparel Production) offered in 18 campuses all over India. Apply in January. Website: nift.ac.in

Chartered Accountancy: Foundation exam by Institute of Chartered Accountants India on May 15 to 21. Minimum 50% in 12th with any subject. Website: icai.org

Company Secretary: Foundation exam in May 2025, last date April 15. Eligibility: Class 12 with any subjects. Website: icsi.edu

Pure science: IISER (7 Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research) Aptitude TEST (IAT) on May 25 (last date - April 15) for a four-year B.S. in pure sciences. Minimum Class 12 with science 60%. Website: iiseradmission.in

NISER (National Institutes of Science Education and Research): 5-year integrated course. Exam: June 22; last date: May 9. Website: niser.ac.in

Graduation in Central Universities (and other reputed colleges): Central Universities Entrance Test for various degree courses, tentatively scheduled between 8th May and 1st June.  Details on cuet.nta.nic.in

Military service: National Defence Academy (NDA) exam on April 13 (held twice a year) Physics, Chem Math needed for Air Force and Navy, and Class 12 for Army. Less than 19-1/2 years of age. Website: nda.nic.in

Paramedical courses: 3 or 4-year duration for science students, with varying entrance exams. See pmbkarnataka.org

Dates and other regulations keep changing from time to time. Hence, keep checking the official websites periodically.