Competitive Exams after 12th: With each passing generation, the progress in research, technology, and academics have had a dynamic growth. The rise in the quality of education has resulted in academic institutions from around the world to offer multidisciplinary courses to students pursuing higher education. It also provides the students with excellent industrial training opportunities, state of art facilities, and professionally acclaimed faculty along with a diverse curriculum.
There are many competitive exams available for students who have completed 12th standard in India. Some popular options include:
- Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main: This is a national level engineering entrance examination for admission to engineering colleges in India.
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET): This is a national level medical entrance examination for admission to medical colleges in India.
- Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE): This is a national level engineering entrance examination for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISERs).
- All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT): This is a national level medical entrance examination for admission to medical colleges in India.
- Common Law Admission Test (CLAT): This is a national level law entrance examination for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in India.
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Common Admission Test (CAT): This is a national level management entrance examination for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top management schools in India.
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE): This is a national level engineering entrance examination for admission to postgraduate programs in engineering and technology in India.
- National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination: This is a national level examination for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force in India.
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination: This is a national level examination for admission to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other civil services in India.
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination: This is a national level examination for recruitment to various non-gazetted posts in the government of India.
Competitive Exams after 12th
Competitive exams are one of the most favorite options for students after passing out from their high school. The reasons to take up this option can be many, but every student must have a clear picture about the importance of these exams and how they can be helpful for achieving future goals.
Students who have passed class 12th recently, their next step is to think about what should be done next. To solve those students’ problems we are providing information about some competitive exams which will play a vital role in a student’s career. First of all, students must have to concentrate on the 12th exams because the marks of 12th exams matter while you are preparing for competitive exams.
As a result, there is a tough competition in securing admission in top Indian or abroad educational institutions. Along with the documents for admission, students are also required to pass competitive exams with a desired standard score to be eligible to enroll in top educational institutions.
Want to know more about competitive exams in India and abroad? This article will introduce you to some of the competitive exams after completing the 12th grade that will allow you to pursue excellent degree courses from esteemed global universities.
Multiple choice questions related to English, Mathematics, Logic, Abstract Reasoning and General Knowledge are usually asked in competitive exams to test the creativity, language proficiency, critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills of the candidate.
Competitive Exams after 12th in 2025
There are many competitive exams after 12th which you can appear for in order to get admission to some of the top colleges in the country. The National Testing Agency is the conducting body for some of the most important competitive exams for admission to engineering, medical, and other colleges. Some of the top Competitive Exams after 12th in India include JEE Mains, NEET UG, CLAT, and many more.
After the completion of the 12th exams, students can start preparing for several entrance exams in India to get admission to undergraduate degree programs such as BMS, BA LLB, NEET, BTech, etc. The exams are conducted at both national and state levels. Given below are some of the streams and their major competitive exams in India that you can start preparing for after your 12th exam:
1) Medical
If you are looking to pursue your career in the field of medical sciences, then are several competitive exams after 12th for admission to some of the top colleges in India which you can choose to appear for. NEET is among the most tough competitive exams which allows admission to the top medical courses in India.
- AIIMS
- NEET
- JIPMER
- AIPVT (The All India Pre-Veterinary Test)
2) Law:
Law is one of the most pursued degree programmes which is offered by a number of universities and colleges in India. Law is considered to be one of the toughest and most competitive courses after 12th. Some of the competitive exams after 12th which you can appear for to get admission to one of the top law colleges in India are mentioned below.
- DU LLB
- Army Institute of Law Entrance Exam (AILET)
- LSAT
- CLAT
- SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test)
- BHU Law Entrance Exam
- Llyod Entrance Test (LET)
3) Engineering
There are a number of competitive exams after 12th for admission to the top colleges which offer admission to the Engineering courses. JEE Mains is considered as the toughest exam for admission to some of the top engineering colleges in India such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, etc. We have mentioned below the names of such of the other Engineering Competitive exams which you can choose to appear for.
- JEE Advanced
- JEE Mains
- VITEEE
- COMED-K
- BITSAT
- IPUCET
- AMU (BTech)
4) Defense and Marine
- Indian Navy BTech Entry Scheme
- Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test
- Naval Academy Examination (l)
- Indian Army Technical Entry Scheme (TES)
- Indian Defense Academy (NDA)
- Indian Navy Sailors Recruitment
5) Agriculture
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- AIEEA (UG and PG)
6) Fashion and Design
- NIFT
- All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED)
- Symbiosis Institute of Design Exam
- National Institute of Design
7) Commerce
- DU JAT
- CA Course
- NMIMS-NPAT
- Xavier’s BMS/BMM Course Entrance Exam
- Symbiosis SET Exam
8) Hotel Management
Hotel Management is emerging out to be a great field in which a student can make their career. The field of Hotel Management offers great job opportunities with a lucrative salary package and a chance to explore new places. However, in order to get a great position at the hotels, restaurants, etc. it is important for the candidates to have pursued from their degree from a good institute. NCHMET JEE is among the most opted for competitive exams after 12 to secure admission to the hotel management courses after 12th.
NCHMET JEE
9) Architecture
NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture)
10) Government Exams
Students who want to make a career in government field after completion of 12th have a wide range of entrance exams. There are many vacancies available for the various government exams after 12th grade. Have a glance at some of the popular government exams which can provide you with a lucrative and secure career once you qualify them- IBPS PO, SBI PO, SSC CGL, RBI Grade B, IBPS Clerk, SSC CHSL, RRB ALP, etc.
11) Management (Students pursuing an undergraduate course can apply for these exams)
- Common Admission Test (CAT)
- Common Management Admission test (CMAT)
- Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
- State level entrance tests such as MAH MBA/MMS CET, UPSEE MBA, Delhi CET etc.
- UPSC Exams
- UPSC CAPF Exam
- Indian Navy Exam
- Indian Army Exam
- SSC Exams
- Combined Higher Secondary Level (SSC CHSL): For the posts of Upper Division Clerk, Sorting Assistant, Postal Assistant Lower Division Clerk, and Data Entry Operator.
- SSC Stenographer
- SSC Grade C and D
- SSC Multitasking Staff
- SSC GD Constable Exam
- Indian Coast Guard Exam: For the vacancies of Airmen, Sailors, Assistant Commandants, and Technicians.
- RRB or Railway Recruitment Exams: For the posts of Railway Constables, Railway Clerks and Assistant Loco Pilots.
- Indian Security Forces like BSF, ITBP, SSB, CRPF, and CISF.
- Public Service Commissions (PSC) exams
- NDA exam for Armed Forces
Competitive exams after 12th in Engineering
- JEE Mains : One of the most sought-after entry exams for students who are willing to continue engineering after class 12th is the Joint entry Examination, or JEE(MAIN). The National Testing Agency administers the test across the nation (NTA). There are two papers in the test. Admission to undergraduate programmes, like as B.E./B.tech courses at various NITs and IIITs, is handled through Paper I. Admission to B.Arch and B.planning courses is handled through Paper II. In addition to being a prerequisite for JEE (ADVANCED), this exam serves as an eligibility test for IIT admissions. The JEE Mains entrance examination is conducted twice a year by the NTA. Once in the month of January and the second in April.
Competitive Exams to Study Abroad
After completion of 12th, students can pursue higher education in not just India but abroad as well. As education is not limited to the physical boundary of one country and with its dynamic presence, we now are connecting countries through universities, courses, professors, students, and researchers from around the world. It is not a piece of cake; however, it may as well be one of the best decisions one can make that’ll define your future of the career path you choose. It is an experience that will help you build connections, expose you to new cultures, and diversify your identity, provide top-notch career opportunities, and add value to your personality.
Choosing to study abroad comes with a lot of doubts about the unknown outcomes but a degree abroad can help you greatly in your career path and therefore will be worth it. It is very important to be well prepared with research and preparations beforehand regarding the exam you choose to write. It is also imperative to know all the universities and exam(s) requirements they have. Given below are a list of common exams to prepare for studying abroad:
1) Top Competitive Exams after 12th for Study Abroad
In order to get admission to some of the top courses offered by the colleges and the universities abroad, the candidates are required to appear for certain competitive exams which the university consider for admission. Some of the top Competitive Exams after 12th which can opted for by the candidates include GMAT, IELTS, MCAT, and many more. We have mentioned below some of the most popular Competitive Exams after 12th for Study Abroad.
- Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL):
- This is a standardized language proficiency test that comprehensively assesses the listening, reading, writing, and writing skills of the candidates. Various universities accept this test score and offer admission.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
- This is a test to assess candidates’ basic skills in the English language. Countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. accept the test score and offer admission.
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT):
- These competitive test scores are accepted to secure admission in the top global law universities.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT):
- This competitive test is mandatory for candidates who want to pursue an MBA abroad. The test assesses your analytical, reasoning, and writing skills.
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):
- This renowned competitive test is designed to assess problem-solving, critical thinking, and scientific concepts of students. Non-native students have to go through this test to secure admission in the Medical field in the US and Canada.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE):
- This competitive test is conducted by ETS for students pursuing masters or doctoral programs in countries such as the US, China, Australia, and Canada that accept the test score and grant admission. It assesses the logical thinking, reasoning, and quantitative ability of the student.
2) Competitive Exam in the UK after 12th:
UK universities offer a plethora of degree programs The universities in the UK not only offer an array of degree programs that cover various disciplines and also offer a platform of holistic growth for the students. Here is a list of competitive exams conducted in the UK:
- Graduate Medical Science Admission Test (GAMSAT):
- This competitive test is common for candidates that want to pursue Medicine, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, and Optometry.
- Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT):
- This competitive test assesses students’ verbal reasoning, inductive and deductive reasoning, and comprehensive ability to qualify for admission in UK universities like the University of Glasgow, LSE, Oxford, etc.
- University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT):
- This competitive test is for those students who want to pursue Medical and Dental programs in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
- History Aptitude Test (HAT):
- This competitive test is conducted by Oxford University for students who want to enroll in History courses at the university.
- Biomedical Admission Test (BMT):
- This competitive test is an entry-level test conducted by Oxford University for the students who want to pursue Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences courses.
3) Competitive Exams in the USA after 12th:
The USA is a country that has always been the highest demand destination to pursue further education. The USA houses a plethora of universities that are world-renowned and top ranking. It also offers opportunities to gain international exposure. Here is a list of competitive exams conducted in the USA:
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):
- This competitive test is to be completed in 3 hours (without the essay). The test assesses student’s Writing, Reading, and Math skills. The questions given are to be completed in three hours (without the essay)
- American College Test (ACT):
- This competitive test is for 2 hours 55 minutes where students are assessed for their Math, Science, English, and Reading skills.
- General Educational Diploma (GED):
- This competitive test is for students who want to pursue a diploma in the US or Canada. These four aspects are covered in GED tests i.e. language arts, social studies, science, and math. It also includes a compulsory 45-minute arts essay and a 25-minute social studies essay.
- Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA):
- This competitive test is to get easy admission to private and public universities in Texas.
There are many more competitive tests for universities around the world and in India, preparing and writing these tests may be challenging for the students but clearing these tests can give you a promising future. We wish you all the best.
