Entrance Exams After 12th Science 2026: Engineering and Medical List
Entrance exams after 12th science include top national tests like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET UG, BITSAT, NATA, CUET, and NDA, alongside state-level exams such as MHT CET, WBJEE, and KEAM. Medical admissions via NEET UG require at least 50% aggregate in PCB (40% for SC/ST/OBC), while engineering exams like BITSAT require 75% aggregate in PCM with at least 60% in each individual subject.
Below is a detailed guide covering exam schedules, stream eligibility, subject patterns, top national and state-level engineering and medical tests, scientific research options, leading colleges, and the step-by-step admission process.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Engineering Exams | JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, MET, SRMJEEE |
| Top Medical Exam | NEET UG (conducted by NTA) |
| NEET UG Eligibility | 50% aggregate in PCB (40% for SC/ST/OBC); age 17 to 25 for General category |
| BITSAT Eligibility | 75% aggregate in PCM in 12th, minimum 60% in each subject |
| VITEEE Eligibility | Minimum 60% aggregate in PCM/PCB (50% for SC/ST) |
| NDA Eligibility | Unmarried males aged 16.5–19.5 years with 12th Pass (PCM required for Navy/Air Force) |
Entrance Exams after 12th Science Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for science entrance examinations vary according to the target course and stream combination. Medical aspirants qualifying through NEET UG must secure at least 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in their Class 12 board examinations, with a relaxation to 40% for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.
Engineering candidates aiming for BITSAT must pass Class 12 with an aggregate score of at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with a minimum of 60% marks in each individual subject. For central university science courses through CUET UG, candidates must pass Class 12 with no upper age restriction imposed on applicants.
Top Engineering Entrance Exams for PCM Students
Engineering entrance examinations test conceptual clarity in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. JEE Main features 75 questions—25 each from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—with +4 marks awarded for correct answers and -1 mark deducted for incorrect multiple-choice questions. Only top performers from JEE Main qualify to appear for JEE Advanced, which is organized by the IITs for admission into undergraduate engineering programs across IIT campuses.
BITSAT is a computer-based online test covering Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English Proficiency, and Logical Reasoning for admission to BITS Pilani, BITS Goa, and BITS Hyderabad. BITSAT applicants typically need a score of 300+ out of 450 to secure admission in top BITS campuses. State and private universities also accept national ranks; for instance, Nirma University in Gujarat reserves around 35% of its engineering seats for candidates applying through All India Ranks in JEE Main.
| Exam Name | Full Name | Conducting Body | Exam Mode | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Advanced | Joint Entrance Examination Advanced | IITs | Online (CBT) | Annual |
| BITSAT | Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test | BITS Pilani | Online (CBT) | Annual |
| VITEEE | Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam | VIT University | Computer-based | Annual |
| MET | Manipal Entrance Test | Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Online (CBT) | Annual |
| SRMJEEE | SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Exam | SRM Institute of Science & Technology | Online (CBT) | Annual |
| KIITEE | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Exam | KIIT University | Online (CBT) | Annual |
Medical and Biology Entrance Exams After 12th Science
Students with Biology as a core subject can pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health sciences. NEET UG is the single national-level offline entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency in pen-and-paper mode for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and Veterinary Medicine courses across government and private medical colleges.
Apart from medical degree programs, PCB candidates can apply for allied health, pharmacy, and general life science courses through state CETs and central entrance tests like CUET UG.
State-Level Engineering and Health Science Entrance Exams
MHT CET is conducted by the Maharashtra State Government for PCM and PCB groups with no negative marking format.
Other major state tests include WBJEE in West Bengal, KEAM in Kerala, AP EAMCET in Andhra Pradesh, HPCET in Himachal Pradesh, and Anna University admission procedures in Tamil Nadu.
| Exam Name | State | Conducting Authority | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| MHT CET | Maharashtra | Government of Maharashtra | Online |
| WBJEE | West Bengal | West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board | Offline |
| KEAM | Kerala | Commissioner for Entrance Examination, Kerala | Online |
| AP EAMCET | Andhra Pradesh | JNTU Kakinada | Online |
| HPCET | Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Pradesh Technical University | Offline |
| TA NATA / Anna Univ | Tamil Nadu | Anna University | Offline |
Architecture, Defence, and Pure Science Research Exams
Science stream students can also enter specialised fields such as architecture, defence services, and pure scientific research. NATA is conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) for admission to 5-year B.Arch programs, evaluating candidates through 20 Mathematics questions, 40 General Aptitude questions, and 2 Drawing questions. JEE Main Paper 2 for B.Arch spans 3 hours 30 minutes and includes 30 Mathematics questions (20 MCQs and 10 numerical answers) along with Aptitude and Drawing sections.
For scientific research careers, the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) grants admission to a 5-year BS-MS dual degree program across 7 IISER campuses in India. Students interested in defence careers can take the NDA exam conducted twice a year by UPSC for commissions in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
| Exam Name | Target Field | Conducting Body | Key Features / Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATA | Architecture (5-year B.Arch) | Council of Architecture (CoA) | Math (20 qns), Aptitude (40 qns), Drawing (2 qns) |
| JEE Main Paper 2 | Architecture (B.Arch) | National Testing Agency | 30 Math questions + Aptitude & Drawing (3 hr 30 min) |
| IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) | Scientific Research (BS-MS) | IISERs | BS-MS dual degree across 7 IISER campuses |
| NDA Exam | Defence Services | UPSC | Twice a year for Army, Navy, and Air Force entry |
Top Entrance Exams after 12th Science Colleges
| Course | Target Field | Top Colleges / Institutes in India |
|---|---|---|
| BE / B.Tech | Engineering | IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, NITs, BITS Pilani, DTU |
| MBBS | Medicine | AIIMS Delhi, AFMC Pune, CMC Vellore, JIPMER Puducherry |
| B.Arch | Architecture | IIT Kharagpur, NIT Calicut, SPA Delhi, SPA Bhopal, SPA Vijayawada, CEPT University |
| BCA | Computer Applications | Christ University Bangalore, VIT, St. Xavier’s Ahmedabad, Symbiosis Pune |
Clearing entrance exams after 12th science helps students secure admission into these popular degree programs and premier institutes across India. Selection of the right exam depends directly on the target course and institution.
How to Apply for Entrance Exams after 12th Science Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Identify Stream & Target Exams: Choose between PCM (engineering/architecture/defence) or PCB (medical/allied health) streams and select corresponding national/state exams like JEE Main, NEET UG, BITSAT, or NATA.
- Verify Eligibility Criteria: Confirm subject requirements and minimum marks (e.g., 50% aggregate in PCB for NEET UG general category, or 75% aggregate in PCM for BITSAT).
- Register on Official Exam Portals: Fill out application forms on designated official portals such as the NTA portal (jeemain.nta.nic.in) for JEE Main during the specified application window.
- Appear for Entrance Examination: Sit for the entrance exam in online CBT mode (JEE Main, BITSAT, VITEEE, MHT CET) or offline mode (NEET UG, WBJEE).
- Participate in College Admissions: Apply to target institutions using your rank or score, such as applying to Nirma University in Gujarat, which reserves around 35% of its engineering seats for candidates based on All India Rank in JEE Main.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| exam registration | NTA JEE Main Official Portal | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Entrance Exams after 12th Science colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Always verify exam dates, eligibility, and application details from official examination websites before applying.
FAQs
What is the NEET exam?
NEET UG is a mandatory offline entrance exam conducted annually by the National Testing Agency for admission to undergraduate medical programs in India, including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and veterinary medicine courses.
What are the career options for science students after 12th?
Science students can pursue engineering (BE/B.Tech), medicine (MBBS/BDS), architecture (B.Arch), computer applications (BCA), pure science research through BS-MS dual degree programs, or officer commissions in defence services through the NDA examination.
Which entrance is best after 12th science?
The best exam depends on your stream and career goal: JEE Main and JEE Advanced for IITs/NITs, NEET UG for medical, BITSAT for BITS engineering programs, NATA for architecture, and NDA for armed forces.
What is the eligibility for BITSAT exam?
BITSAT requires candidates to have completed Class 12 Science with an aggregate of at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with a minimum of 60% marks in each individual subject.
