This practical Guide lists major national, state, and institute-level engineering entrance exams after 12th, along with their patterns, marks, timelines, and eligibility criteria, all in one place.
After Class 12 with PCM, engineering aspirants face one big question: which entrance exams should I prepare for? There isn’t just one test but a wide network of national, state, and institute-level exams, each with different patterns, difficulty levels, and admission pathways.
This updated Guide brings together the most important Engineering & Technology entrance exams after 12th, including their structure, marks, schedules, and eligibility — so you can plan smart instead of preparing blindly.
Students from diverse boards and pathways, including those applying to places like Parul University, often keep multiple exam options open to maximise admission chances.
National-Level Engineering Exams
These exams are highly competitive and accepted across multiple engineering colleges nationwide.
JEE Main (Paper 1)
Purpose: Admission to B.E./B. Tech programs across participating technical institutions.
Pattern Snapshot:
- Mode: Online
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Slots: 2 per day
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Questions per subject: 20 MCQ + 5 numerical
- Total: 75 questions — 300 marks
- Marking: +4 / -1
Eligibility: 10+2 with PCM
JEE Advanced
Second-stage exam for top JEE Main performers.
Pattern Snapshot:
- Mode: Online
- Duration: Two papers – 180 + 180 minutes
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Question types: Multi-part, numerical, analytical
- Marking: Variable negative
Eligibility: Top ~2.5 lakh rankers from JEE Main.
Major Private Engineering Entrance Exams
These exams are conducted for admission into multi-campus technical institutions and are widely attempted.
BITSAT
Pattern:
- Mode: Online
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Sections:
- Physics: 30
- Chemistry: 30
- English: 10
- Logical Reasoning: 20
- Mathematics: 40
- Total: 130 questions of 390 marks
- Marking: +3 / -1
VITEEE
Pattern:
- Mode: Online
- Duration: 150 minutes
- Sections:
- Physics — 35
- Chemistry — 35
- Maths/Biology — 40
- Aptitude — 10
- English — 5
- Total: 125 marks
- Marking: +1 / 0
SRMJEEE (UG)
Pattern:
- Mode: Online
- Duration: 150 minutes
- Sections:
- Physics — 35
- Chemistry — 35
- Maths/Biology — 40
- Aptitude — 10
- English — 5
- Marking: +1 / 0
MET (Manipal Entrance Test)
Pattern Mix: MCQ + Numerical
- Mode: Online
- Duration: 120 minutes
- MCQs + Numerical Answer Type
- Total: 60 questions — 240 marks
- Marking:
- MCQ: +4 / -1
- Numerical: +4 / 0
Eligibility: PCM + English (50% average)
NMIMS-CET
Pattern:
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Sections:
- Physics — 30
- Chemistry — 30
- Maths/Biology — 30
- Logical — 20
- Language — 10
- Marking: +1 / 0
Key State-Level Engineering Exams
These exams are best for students targeting colleges within specific states.
MHT-CET (Maharashtra)
Pattern:
- Mode: Computer-based
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Maths — 50
- Physics — 50
- Chemistry — 50
- Total: 150 questions — 200 marks
- Marking: +1 / 0
KEA-CET (Karnataka)
Pattern:
- Mode: Offline
- Duration: 240 minutes
- Physics — 60
- Chemistry — 60
- Maths — 60
- Marking: +1 / 0
WBJEE (West Bengal)
Pattern:
- Mode: Offline
- Two papers — Maths + PCM
- Category-based marking:
- Cat 1: +1 / -0.2
- Cat 2: +2 / -0.25
- Cat 3: Partial marking rules
AP-EAPCET & TS-EAMCET
Pattern (Similar Structure):
- Mode: Computer-based
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Physics — 40
- Chemistry — 40
- Mathematics — 80
- Marking: +1 / 0
Eligibility: PCM + state criteria
GUJCET
Pattern:
- Mode: Pen & Paper
- Physics — 40
- Chemistry — 40
- Mathematics — 40
- Marking: +1 / -0.25
KEAM (Kerala)
Pattern:
- Mode: Offline
- Two papers
- Physics + Chemistry — 120 questions
- Maths/Biology — 120 questions
- Marking: +4 / -1
Other Notable Engineering Entrance Tests
This guide covers additional recognised engineering entrance exams, each offering distinct admission routes, patterns, and specialisation opportunities across technology domains. These include:
- KIIT-EE: 120 questions, +4/-1, no exam fee
- UPESEAT: Online test & Exam centre-based test, +1/0 marking
- BV-BTECH CET: 200 questions, +1/0
- SNUSAT + APT: Aptitude + subject test + interview
- SITEEE: 60 min, +2/0
- MITWPU-CET: Includes interview stage
- AMU-ET: +1 / -0.25
- PAU-CET: Biotech & Food Tech focused
- CG-PET: Dairy Technology track
- KALSEE: 90-minute format
- SRU-AIEE: Includes GK section
- SPPU–OEE: Aviation engineering focus
- CUET (Engineering programs track): Multi-section aptitude model
Choosing the Right Exam Mix
Instead of attempting everything, build a layered exam plan:
High competition targets
- JEE Main + Advanced
- BITSAT
Balanced private + national mix
- VITEEE
- SRMJEEE
- MET
- NMIMS-CET
State exams as a safety net
- Your state CET
- Neighbouring state options (if eligible)
As you move forward with this Guide, your exam shortlist becomes more than a list; it becomes a strategy map. Each form you fill out and each mock you take sharpens not just your score potential but also your clarity about where you want your engineering journey to begin and how wide you want your opportunity window to remain when admission season opens.
