Selecting the right entrance test after class 12 is necessary, to give a proper direction to one’s career. Most students appear for such examinations for admission to universities and colleges in India and abroad. With many fields offering a competitive advantage to students in terms of salaries and growth, at times, it can get confusing though. These competitive exams after 12th mainly test a student’s knowledge, aptitude, skills, and suitability for a particular field.
Renowned universities, government educational bodies and foreign universities conduct examinations for students after class 12, which serve as an important criterion for admission. The best competitive exams after 12th test the above mentioned attributes and language proficiency, as well.
In this blog, you will get a clear idea about competitive exams after matriculation, which can give you entry into engineering, medicine, law and other specialized fields.
What Are The Competitive Exams After 12th?
After completing Class 12, students have the option to sit for various competitive examinations which open the pathways to careers in India and abroad. Here are the best ones, which one can consider after matriculation.
- Engineering Entrance Examinations
Those with a passion for designing, building, and inventing new systems, choose this field. There are various engineering competitive exams after 12th, like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and BIT-SAT. Additionally, you will come across state-level examinations as well.
- Medical Entrance Examinations
Those aspiring for a career in medicine, have to appear for competitive examinations like NEET and AIIMS.
- Law Entrance Examinations
Those students, who aspire to become lawyers have to take the CLAT, BHU UET, and AILET to get admission into the best colleges.
- Architecture Entrance Examinations
Those who aspire to get admission to the top architecture colleges must take the NATA and JEE Main Paper 2.
- Management Entrance Examinations
Those students who have business acumen often move towards management careers and also start their own businesses. While pursuing a management degree, a student masters areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, and sales. Some of the top management entrance examinations are CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT, to name a few.
- CA Foundation Entrance Examinations
Students aspiring to become chartered accountants after class 12, need to take the CA Foundation examination. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India conducts this examination.
Now, you have a bird’s eye view of the competitive exams after 12th. However, this is just a broad representation of what you can choose from. Let us delve into the details of the finer aspects herein.
Entrance Examinations After Class 12 For Engineering Aspirants
Examination Name | Conducted By | Goal |
JEE Main | National Testing Agency | Qualifier for JEE Advanced exam, Admission to NITs, IIITs, and other government technical institutions. |
JEE Advanced | Indian Institutes of Technology | Admission to IITs |
BITSAT | Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. | Admission to BITS Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad |
VITEEE | Vellore Institute of Technology | Admission to Engineering programs at VIT campuses |
This table gives the student a broad overview of the main examinations in India. There are specific entrance examinations conducted after class 12, for state specific colleges and universities as well. To get a detailed guide about them, you must connect with a study abroad consultant.
Competitive Exams For Biology Students After 12th
If you aspire to become a doctor, then you must take the medical competitive exams after 12th. Along with biology as an elective, you also need to have physics and chemistry as other electives. Here are the top few medical entrance exams that will get you a seat at a top medical college.
Examination Name | Conducted By | Goal |
NEET | National Testing Agency | Admission to MBBS and BDS courses at government and private health science colleges |
AIIMS | All India Institute of Medical Sciences | Admission to AIIMS |
JIPMER | JIPMER | Admission to JIPMER |
AFMC | Armed Forces Medical Services | For a career in Indian Armed Forces Health Division |
Best Competitive Exams After 12th – For Management Degree
If you dream to occupy a pivotal position in a level 5 MNC or above, like CEO or COO, then gaining admission to a prestigious institute is a must. Get a clear idea of the examinations here, so that you start your preparations early. Candidates need to crack these examinations after 12th to gain a seat in BBA, MBA, or other specialized management courses.
Examination Name | Conducted By | Goal |
CAT | IIMs | Admission to IIMs |
XAT | XLRI | Admission to XLRI |
MAT | AIMA | Admission to NMIMS Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, Amity University etc. |
CMAT | AICTE | Admission to KJ Somaiya, Christ University etc. |
SNAP | Symbiosis International University | Admission to Symbiosis |
Top Law Entrance Exams After 12th
A career in legal services is considered very lucrative. There are a whole lot of career opportunities for individuals who complete BA LLB, and other law courses. You can work in private, corporate, and social services as well.
Examination Name | Conducted By | Goal |
CLAT | Consortium of National Law Universities | Admission to respective law colleges |
AILET | National Law University, Delhi | Admission to respective law colleges |
BHU UET | Banaras Hindu University | Admission to respective law colleges |
State Level Entrance Exams | State-specific authorities | Admission to respective law colleges |
For more detailed information on the dates for entrance examination, eligibility criteria and examination patterns, you must connect with an educational consultant.
Competitive Exams After 12th For Government Jobs
In India, there are multiple avenues through which you can secure a government job. The salary, perks, position, and respect are highly sought-after. Many families want their wards to seek entry into such highly coveted fields, by appearing for competitive exams after 12th.
Take a look at the options for government competitive exams after 12th.
Examination Name | Conducted By | Goal |
SSC CHSL | Staff Selection Commission | Recruitment for lower divisional clerks, postal assistants, data entry operators, etc. |
RRB NTPC | Railway Recruitment Boards | Recruitment for non-technical popular categories |
NDA | Union Public Service Commission | Recruitment for army, navy and air force |
Competitive Exams After 12th – For Study Abroad Aspirants
If you are a study abroad aspirant, who dreams of travelling abroad and studying in a new country, then there are many options too. There are various competitive exams after 12th which can get you a seat at a foreign university in countries like the US, UK, Australia, Germany, and UAE. These examinations test your aptitude for specialized degrees and courses, which can lead to a high flying career globally. In addition to the general entrance examinations, you must take language tests as well.
The examinations in a nutshell are:
- SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test
- ACT or American College Testing
- GRE or Graduate Record Examination
- AP Exams or Advanced Placement
Language Tests:
Why Are Different Competitive Exams After 12th Necessary?
The competitive exams after 12th are a necessity due to the following reasons.
- Students can gain admission to prestigious colleges in India and abroad.
- It builds a strong academic foundation.
- You will develop problem solving skills and think out-of-the box.
- You can get career opportunities with high remuneration.
- Students can also get access to scholarships and fundings.
- It opens many career pathways for students.
How Admissify Can Help
Admissify is one of the most renowned study abroad consultants in India. The expert panel is spread across the globe, and they have adequate knowledge in the field of education to guide students. From Indian universities and colleges to study abroad options, you can get comprehensive educational solutions and guidance from the advisors. To give a jumpstart to your career, choose Admissify to understand which career you are built for. All else will automatically fall into place. They can also provide guidance for PR, after course completion.
Conclusion
Competitive exams after 12th, act as a gateway to a world of opportunities. You can enter a range of occupations, ranging from engineering, to medicine, and business, to name a few. However, you need to understand the pros and cons of each one, to make a sound decision. Working with a renowned study abroad consultant can lessen your dilemmas. You can also avail of their free counselling sessions, to get a sneak peek into your psyche and aptitude.
FAQs
Which competitive exam after 12th science?
You can go for engineering, medical or architecture.
How many entrance examinations are there in India?
There are hundreds of them, so are general, some state specific, and a few are university-specific.
What are the common sections in the Competitive exams after 12th?
They are subject specific sections, aptitude, problem solving, logical reasoning, and language.
Which countries require a candidate to take the JLPT?
Japan requires international students to take the JLPT.
How do I prepare for competitive exams after 12th?
You must read courses –specific and general knowledge books extensively, and consider taking coaching classes. Additionally, you can connect with a study abroad consultant for comprehensive guidance.

As a dynamic social media content strategist and storyteller, Bhaskarjyoti blends creativity with data-driven precision to turn aspirations into action. With a keen understanding of what today’s students seek, he has redefined how study-abroad dreams are communicated, combining global trends with grounded Indian values. He also works across student guides, scholarship explainers, university deep-dives, and thought pieces, making study-abroad content both insightful and accessible. Always curious, always evolving – he believes that great content is not just about reach, but about impact. And that the right story, told the right way, can change a life.