Entrance exams after 12th science: CUET UG, IAT, RIE CEE, OUAT, SHIATS details released

As of 12 October 2026, details for various entrance examinations for admission to undergraduate courses in engineering, science, agriculture, technology, and other fields across India have been released. These examinations serve as a standardized method for assessing academic proficiency, supporting fair seat allocation based on merit at participating universities and institutions.

The choice of examination for students depends on their career interests, specific eligibility criteria, and preferred colleges. Major national-level exams like JEE Main and NEET UG continue to see high registration numbers, with JEE Main 2026 recording 15.38 lakh candidates appearing and NEET UG 2025 having 22.76 lakh registered applicants.

CUET UG and IAT: Eligibility and Exam Structure

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) and the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) are among the key examinations for science stream students. CUET UG, which saw 10.71 lakh candidates appear in 2025, has no age limit for eligibility and requires students to have passed Class 12 from a recognized board in the science stream. It offers undergraduate programs such as BSc in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Biology, alongside BCA in Computer Science and Technology. The exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is conducted in a hybrid mode, either computer-based or using OMR sheets. A negative marking scheme deducts 1 mark for each incorrect answer.

The IAT also has no age limit, but candidates must be Indian nationals and have passed Class 12 with a minimum of 55% for SC/ST/PwD categories and 60% for other categories from a recognized board. IAT supports admission to 5-year BS-MS Dual Degree and BS Degree Programs. The online, computer-based exam comprises 60 MCQs totaling 240 marks, with a duration of 3 hours. Similar to CUET UG, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.

RIE CEE (BSc Bed), OUAT, and SHIATS: Specific Requirements

For those interested in integrated education programs, the Regional Institute of Education Common Entrance Examination (RIE CEE) for BSc BEd courses has no age limit. Eligibility requires candidates to have scored a minimum of 50% marks in Class 12 with PCM for the general category, and 45% for SC/ST/PH categories, from a recognized board. The exam offers BSc BEd with specializations in Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. It is an offline, objective-type exam with a duration of 120 minutes, and 0.5 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.

The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) entrance exam has an age limit of 17 years. Candidates must score a minimum of 50% in Class 12 with PCM/PCB/PCMB as their main subjects. OUAT offers a range of B.Sc. (Hons.) programs in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, and B.V.Sc. & A.H., and B.F.Sc. The online, computer-based exam consists of 200 objective questions worth 200 marks, with a duration of 2 hours, and notably, it has no negative marking.

Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHIATS) also conducts an entrance exam with no age limit. Eligibility criteria require candidates to score 45% for the general category and 40% for SC/ST/differently abled candidates in Class 12 from a recognized board. SHIATS offers B.Sc (Hons.), BBA (Agri-Business Management), B.Pharma, B.Ed, and BPEd courses. The offline, MCQ-based exam has a duration of 2 hours and includes a negative marking of 0.5 marks for each incorrect answer.

Overview of Other Major Entrance Examinations

Beyond these specific exams, a range of national and state-level entrance tests cater to diverse academic interests. JEE Main and JEE Advanced are crucial for engineering admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. NEET UG remains the sole national-level medical admission test. CUET UG scores are accepted by 49 central universities, 33 state universities, 127 private universities, and approximately 20 additional institutions, indicating its broad applicability for various science and other streams.

For agricultural sciences, several state-level exams such as AP-EAPCET, AGRICET, CETUG-AAU, BCECE, CG-PAT, CG-PET, GUJCET, HAU-AAT, and HAU-ET (Community Sc.) are conducted by respective state authorities. These exams have varying eligibility, exam patterns, and fee structures, with some offering specific reservations for state residents. The ICAR-AIEEA UG exam, for instance, allocates 15% of seats in Bachelor Degrees in Agriculture and Allied Sciences at Agricultural Universities, and 100% of seats at NDRI Karnal, RLBCAU Jhansi, and Dr. RPCAU Pusa.

Further reading

• Delhi University SOL admission 2026 ends October 13: apply for UG, PG courses without CUET
• CUET UG: Apply for 2026-27 Karnataka MBA undergraduate entry
• Common University Entrance Test application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply Next step
• CLAT 2027 application correction facility expected to open on November 2
• MHT CET 2027 notification expected soon; details on registration, syllabus, exam pattern
• Common University Entrance Test: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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