Completing Class 12 is a big milestone in every student’s life. The next important step is deciding which path to take for higher studies and career growth. To enter top universities and professional courses, students often need to clear competitive exams after 12th. These exams are conducted at both national level in India and global level for admissions abroad.
In this article, we will look at the best competitive exams after 12th in science, commerce, and arts streams, including both national and international entrance tests.
🔹 Top National Competitive Exams After Class 12 in India
1. JEE Main and JEE Advanced
- Stream: Science (PCM)
- Purpose: Admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and top engineering colleges.
- Keywords: engineering entrance exam after 12th, JEE Main 2025, JEE Advanced 2025
2. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
- Stream: Science (PCB)
- Purpose: Admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses.
- Keywords: medical entrance exam after 12th, NEET 2025
3. NIFT, NID, UCEED
- Stream: Arts, Design, Fashion
- Purpose: Admission to top institutes for design and fashion technology.
- Keywords: design entrance exam after 12th, NIFT 2025, NID exam
4. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
- Stream: Any stream (after 12th)
- Purpose: Admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs).
- Keywords: law entrance exam after 12th, CLAT 2025 registration
5. CUET (Common University Entrance Test)
- Stream: All streams
- Purpose: Admission to central universities and colleges across India.
- Keywords: CUET 2025, university admission exam after 12th
6. CA Foundation (Chartered Accountancy)
- Stream: Commerce
- Purpose: First level exam to become a Chartered Accountant.
- Keywords: CA Foundation 2025, commerce competitive exams after 12th
🔹 Global Competitive Exams After Class 12
For students who dream of studying abroad, international entrance exams open the door to top universities worldwide.
1. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
- Purpose: Admission to US and other global universities.
- Keywords: SAT exam after 12th, study abroad entrance exam
2. ACT (American College Testing)
- Purpose: Alternative to SAT for admission in US colleges.
- Keywords: ACT exam after 12th, competitive exams to study in USA
3. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Purpose: English proficiency test for study and work abroad.
- Keywords: IELTS after 12th, English exam for study abroad
4. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Purpose: English proficiency exam accepted in USA, Canada, Europe.
- Keywords: TOEFL after 12th, language exam for higher studies abroad
5. Cambridge A Levels / IB Exams
- Purpose: Recognized globally for higher education in international universities.
- Keywords: Cambridge A Levels after 12th, IB exams abroad
✅ Conclusion
After completing Class 12, students have plenty of opportunities through national and global competitive exams. Whether you want to pursue engineering, medical, law, design, commerce, or study abroad, these exams can help you enter top institutions and build a successful career.
👉 Start early preparation, understand the exam pattern and syllabus, and choose the right exam based on your career goals.
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