8 Competitive Exams After 12th: A 2025 Guide

If you’re looking to gain access to the top education institutions and universities, choosing the proper exam is essential. Exams allow you to access the courses after 12th that can support your chosen career path. With hundreds of exams to choose from, this can be a daunting task and one that requires research and hard work.

Read further to discover what competitive exams after 12th are available and how they break down according to your career choices and plans for additional study, as well as find tips on what exam to take if you wish to study abroad or work for the government. 

What is an exam after 12th?

An exam after 12th tests learners’ abilities and knowledge to determine whether they can access their chosen university or course. You can find many different types of exams after 12th, and it’s up to you to choose one that your chosen institution and course accepts. 

Competitive exams after 12th by subject 

With so many exam options to choose from after 12th, it’s essential to narrow down your choices. An excellent starting point is to determine your career scope. For each career path below, you can find details on the most competitive exam options, but remember, other options are also available. 

1. Agriculture (ICAR AIEEA-UG-PG)

If you’re looking to continue your studies after 12th in the field of agriculture, competitive exams after 12th are the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) exams, ICAR AIEEA-UG (undergraduate) and ICAR AIEEA-PG (master’s), which institutions use for admission for undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees, including PhDs. The doctoral exam is the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF. 

You may also consider other agriculture entrance exams, including:

• KEAM

• HORTICET

• AP EAMCET

2. Defence (NDA)

If you’re looking at a career in defence, maritime, or the Navy, you can find different options depending on what you want to do. A standard route is to join the National Defence Academy (NDA). The NDA is an excellent option if you want to join the Air Force, Army, or Navy. Admission is through an NDA examination, covering a written test and a personality test through the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview, which you can register for online. The examination happens twice a year, and you need to pass both tests to become a qualified candidate.

You may also consider the following methods for admittance into the Navy:

• Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET) 

• Indian Navy (10+2) B. Tech Cadet Entry Exam

• Indian Navy Sailor recruitment 

3. Engineering (JEE)

Engineering is a popular career choice in India, with a range of exams offered at both the state and national level, depending on where you want to study. A competitive engineering exam after 12th, and one of the toughest exams you can take, is the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which grants admission to the top Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). 

If you wish to take the JEE Main, you must complete two papers. Typically, paper one happens between January and February, whilst paper two takes place in April. JEE Main can gain you admission to Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) and IITs. Passing JEE Main and scoring in the top 2,50,500 on the exam permits you to take JEE Advanced, the entrance exam for top courses in IITs.

Exams you may also consider include:

• BITSAT

• COMED-K

• VITEEE

4. Fashion and design (NIFT)

If you’re interested in fashion and design, these careers start with a range of exams, including the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance examination, which grants access to courses in international fashion at 17 institutions. The exam consists of two sections, the first one being a computer-based General Ability Test (GAT), and the second portion is a paper-based Creative Ability Test (CAT). 

You may also consider:

• NID Exam

• AIEED

• UCEED

5. Hotel management NCHM JEE

When considering hotel management as a future career, a common exam for this field is the National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination (NCHM JEE). You will have a total of three hours to finish the exam, which has five sections and 200 questions. The NCHM JEE is valid for all institutions offering the BSc Hospitality and Hotel Administration (HHA) that is associated with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT). 

You may also consider:

• IIHM E-CHAT

• MU-OET

6. Law (CLAT)

Law is a popular area of study in India, with a number of exams after 12th to choose from. A popular and competitive choice is the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). This national-level exam grants access to 22 law universities in India. The Consortium of National Law Universities is responsible for arranging the CLAT.

You may also consider the following exams if you’re pursuing law as a career:

• AILET

• LSAT

• SET

7. Medical (NEET)

The medical profession in India is competitive to enter, and you can take one exam that is nationally accepted, which is the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduates. The exam lasts for three hours and contains three sections—physics, chemistry, and biology—with a total of 180 questions.

Although NEET is the only exam for entrance into all undergraduate medical programs in both public and private universities throughout India, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is a separate entity with its own, more competitive entrance exam called the AIIMS-MBBS. The AIIMS exam consists of five sections: general knowledge, chemistry, physics, biology, and aptitude. It contains 200 questions and takes three-and-a-half hours to complete. 

After obtaining your undergraduate degree, you may consider the following exams for postgraduate studies:

• JIPMER-PG

• NEET-PG

• AIIMS-PG

8. Science (NEST)

Science exams after 12th are numerous, depending on your area of interest. A national exam for pure science is the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST), which specifically offers admission to the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and the University of Mumbai–Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai. 

The test lasts three hours and thirty minutes and consists of five sections, one of them dealing with logical reasoning, English, and current affairs, whilst the other four sections are physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology. 

Exams you may also consider include:

• KIITEE

• CUSAT CAT

Government exams

If you plan to work in government, different vacancies require the completion of various exams, so it’s vital that you do your research and choose an exam for the department and field you’re looking to enter. 

Some of your options include:

• The Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary Level (SSC CHSL) exam: A competitive exam if you’re looking for a government job such as secretariat assistant, postal clerk, or data entry operator. 

• Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams: The Indian Railway offers a number of exams for positions, including station manager, ticket examiner, and clerk. 

Exams to study abroad 

If you plan to study abroad, several different exams are available depending on your focus, such as the MCAT for medical school and the LSAT for law school. Also, it’s important to do your research to find out the entry requirements to the university where you want to apply, as these can vary widely. 

Here are some exams you may want to consider:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

• Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Tips for preparing for competitive exams after 12th

Exams after 12th are competitive, and some learners start preparing at class 9. It takes learning your subject well, remaining organised, and lots of practice. Take note of our tips designed to smooth the preparation process as you get ready to take exams after 12th.

1. Start with a plan: Look at what you need to study and put together a timetable and plan of action so you know what you will focus on and when.

2. Take notes: Taking notes whilst you study the material is a great way of absorbing information and gives you something to revise.

3. Practise with past papers: Work out the problems on papers from previous examinations, which are easily available, whilst also completing mock exams to practise the sorts of questions that might arise. Doing this can help you become accustomed to the format.

4. Stay healthy: Look after yourself so you have the mental resources to study. Focus on eating well, getting ample physical activity and sleep, and reducing stress by mixing study with something you enjoy. 

Getting started with Coursera

Finishing 12th grade can be exciting because you’re beginning to pursue your career seriously. As you proceed, you can take the steps mentioned above to select the competitive exam that best fits your future goals.

If you’re preparing for a type of exam after 12th and deciding which degree course to choose, you might consider an online degree course. Online degrees give you added flexibility. For example, you might consider the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, delivered by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, or the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, delivered by Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, both listed on Coursera.