Choosing the right career path after 12th can feel confusing. There are lots of exams, multiple career options and immense pressure to make the “right” choice early.
If you’ve studied PCM, PCB or PCMB, this guide will help you understand which entrance exams after 12th science you can take, what careers they lead to and how to choose the best option for you.
From engineering and medical to research, architecture, defence and government exams, everything is explained clearly in one place. Let’s simplify the options and move forward with confidence.
If you’re not sure which entrance exam suits you best, the following table matches your 12th science subjects with the right entrance exams and career paths, so you can instantly see what options are open for you.
| Subjects | Best Exams For You | Career Paths |
| PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) | JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CUET UG, State Engineering Exams | Engineering, Architecture, Pure Sciences |
| PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | NEET UG, Pharmacy Exams | Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Pharmacy |
| PCMB (All Four) | Any exam from both streams | All options open |
If you’ve studied PCM, engineering is one of the most popular career choices after 12th science. These top engineering entrance exams help you secure admission into leading institutes for engineering, architecture and pure science programmes across India.
This is an exam with a moderate to high difficulty level and is considered very important for engineering aspirants in India. Over 12 lakh students take it every year.
What you need to know:
| Detail | Information |
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam frequency | Twice a year (January & April) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total marks | 300 marks |
| Subjects tested | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Gets you into | NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and other engineering colleges |
You can take this only if you qualify through JEE Main, as it is considered one of India’s toughest exams with a very high difficulty level. This exam gets you into the 23 IITs across India.
Key facts:
State Engineering Entrance Exams are crucial for admissions to state-level and private colleges. They get you into great, reputable colleges in your state.
Popular state exams:
| State | Exam Name | Best For |
| Maharashtra | MHT CET | State engineering & pharmacy colleges |
| West Bengal | WBJEE | Bengal engineering colleges |
| Karnataka | KCET | Karnataka colleges |
| Telangana | TS EAMCET | Telangana engineering & agriculture |
| Andhra Pradesh | AP EAMCET | AP engineering & medical colleges |
For PCB students aiming for a career in healthcare, these medical entrance exams after 12th science are the main gateways to medical, dental and allied health courses.
NEET is the single, mandatory entrance exam for ALL medical courses in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) annually, it’s the unified gateway for aspiring doctors, covering Physics, Chemistry and Biology in 13 languages.
| Detail | Information |
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam date | Once a year (usually May) |
| Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes |
| Total marks | 720 marks |
| Questions | 180 questions (attempt 180) |
| Subjects | Physics (45Q), Chemistry (45Q), Biology (90Q) |
What NEET gets you into:
Subject weightage in NEET:
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Your Focus |
| Physics | 45 | 180 | Numerical problems, formulas |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 | Organic reactions, inorganic facts |
| Biology | 90 | 360 | HIGHEST weightage |
You don’t need separate exams for AIIMS or JIPMER anymore. They now admit based on NEET scores but conduct their own counseling.
If you are interested in pharmaceuticals and want to become a pharmacist, then here are some of the exam options for you to choose from-
| Exam Name | Level | Gets You Into |
| NEET UG | National | B.Pharm in some colleges |
| MHT CET | State | Maharashtra pharmacy colleges |
| AP EAMCET | State | Andhra Pradesh pharmacy programmes |
| CUET UG | National | Central university pharmacy programmes |
Also read: Top Courses After 12th Science PCB (With NEET & Without NEET)
For pure science and research in India after 12th grade, key entrance exams include-
The CUET UG is a national-level test for admission into various undergraduate programmes at Central, State, Private and Deemed Universities in India. It is now mandatory to appear in this exam for admission to central universities.
| Detail | Information |
| Full form | Common University Entrance Test |
| It is for | BSc programmes in central universities |
| Pattern | Domain subjects + General Test |
| Universities covered | DU, BHU, JMI, AMU and 45+ central universities |
After qualifying, you can get entry into the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research.
Course offered: 5-year BS-MS (Bachelor + Master combined)
Why choose IISER?
If you have Maths and a creative mindset, architecture entrance exams after 12th science help you enter professional B.Arch programmes in top colleges across India.
The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is a mandatory, national-level entrance exam in India for admission to the 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree, conducted by the Council of Architecture (COA). You can appear for NATA twice a year.
What they test:
| Section | What You Need |
| Drawing | Sketching, perspective, building forms |
| Aptitude | 3D perception, aesthetic sense |
| Mathematics | Basic 12th level maths |
Alternative to NATA, this exam gets you into NITs and IIITs for B.Arch programmes.
NDA trains you for the defence services and prepares you to become officers with academic, physical and leadership skills for a lifetime of service.
| Eligibility | Details |
| Age | 16.5 to 19.5 years |
| Gender | Now open for all genders! |
| Subjects | Maths (for all) + General Ability Test |
| Conducted by | UPSC |
| Frequency | Twice a year |
The IMU-CET is a national-level, online exam for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) maritime courses.
Courses available:
Government competitive exams after 12th Science exist to offer direct entry into stable, respectable public sector jobs. You get job security, a pension and a decent salary, even without any specific degree.
| Exam | Full Form | Jobs You Get |
| SSC CHSL | Staff Selection Commission Combined Higher Secondary | Data Entry Operator, Lower Division Clerk, Postal Assistant |
| RRB | Railway Recruitment Board | Assistant Loco Pilot, Technician, Clerk |
| State Police | Various states conduct these | Police Constable |
Try asking yourself if you want-
| Exam Type | PCM Needed | PCB Needed |
| Engineering | Yes | No |
| Medical | No | Yes |
| Pure Science | Either works | Either works |
| Architecture | Yes | No |
Prepare for 2-4 exams together. Example combo for PCM students-
Example combo for PCB students:
For students looking to explore various career paths and courses after completing their 12th in science, The Apollo University continues to be a top contender for higher education. The University boasts a broad spectrum of programmes tailored to cater to students from diverse academic backgrounds. Some of the courses offered at the university include:
At The Apollo University, all courses blend theoretical knowledge with practical application through internships, partnerships with companies and real-world projects. This approach allows students to gain valuable experiences while they learn.
Choosing the right entrance exam after 12th science can feel overwhelming. But the truth is that you have MANY options. Whether you want to become an engineer, medical professional or architect, there’s an exam for you.
Start early, stay consistent and don’t compare your journey with others. Some students crack it in the first attempt, others take time. What matters is that you keep moving forward.
These exams test your preparation, not your intelligence. Put in the work, believe in yourself and you’ll find your path. Your 12th science education has already given you the essential knowledge. Now use these entrance exams to open the doors to your dream career!
It depends on your subjects. PCM students can take JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT or state CETs. PCB students mainly appear for NEET UG, while CUET works for pure science degrees.
Among students after 12th science, JEE Advanced and NEET UG are considered extremely tough due to competition and syllabus depth. NDA is also challenging, as it tests academics, aptitude and physical fitness together.
There’s no fixed number, but students usually attempt 2-4 exams. For example, PCM students often prepare for JEE Main, a state exam, BITSAT and CUET, while PCB students mainly focus on NEET with pharmacy or CUET as backups.
After 12th science, you can appear for government exams like NDA (UPSC), SSC CHSL, Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams, state police exams and IMU CET for maritime government-linked careers.
