The best engineering entrance exam for a student would be determined by their goals, the list of courses they wish to apply for, branch choices and backup options.
Best Engineering Exams in India: Quick Comparison
Exam | Type | Best Suited For | Common Admission Route |
JEE Main | National-level | Students targeting NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and JEE Advanced eligibility | National engineering admission route |
JEE Advanced | National-level | Students aiming for IITs | IIT admission after qualifying JEE Main |
BITSAT | Private university | Students targeting BITS campuses | BITS admission route |
VITEEE | Private university | Students targeting VIT campuses | VIT B.Tech admission |
SRMJEEE | Private university | Students targeting SRM campuses | SRM B.Tech admission |
MET | Private university | Students targeting Manipal | Manipal admission route |
COMEDK UGET | State/private consortium | Students open to private colleges in Karnataka | Centralised counselling route |
MHT CET | State-level | Students targeting Maharashtra colleges | Maharashtra state counselling |
KCET | State-level | Students targeting Karnataka state colleges | Karnataka state counselling |
WBJEE | State-level | Students targeting West Bengal colleges | West Bengal state counselling |
AP EAPCET / TS EAMCET | State-level | Students targeting Andhra Pradesh or Telangana colleges | State counselling |
GUJCET / OJEE / KEAM | State-level | Students targeting Gujarat, Odisha or Kerala colleges | State counselling |
This table can provide students with a basic idea about various engineering entrance exams, but it is always better to visit the websites of the respective conducting bodies for the latest exam dates, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, counselling rules, etc.
Main Types of Engineering Entrance Exams
Knowing these categories helps students understand which entrance exams for engineering may be appropriate for them.
1. National-Level Exams
Amongst national-level engineering entrance exams, two of the most popular ones are JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
JEE Main is the primary test for admissions to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and other similar colleges across the country. Candidates’ admissions to these colleges are done on the basis of their JEE Main scores. It is also the qualifying route for JEE Advanced for IIT admissions. This test is beneficial for students who are aiming for engineering colleges across the country.
JEE Advanced is for those students who have qualified through JEE Main and are looking to get into IITs. This test is highly concept-oriented and demands strong preparation in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
2. Private University Exams
Several private universities in India that hold their own entrance tests for B.Tech admissions on their respective campuses. The common entrance tests held by private universities for B.Tech admissions in India are BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, MET, etc.
Private university entrance exams can help students look beyond IITs, NITs and universities offering B.Tech through state counselling. These exams help a student target a specific university, branch or even the private university ecosystem.
Students should compare private university options based on:
Branch availability
Fees
Campus location
Curriculum
Placements
Internships
Student outcomes
Admission process
Students can use these exams as a means to target specific engineering colleges, campuses, branches or private university ecosystems. Students should then compare features of different colleges that they are targeting, such as branches on offer, fees, placements, internships and the admission process.
3. State-Level Exams
Most states conduct their own entrance exams. Students can also get selected through state counselling for seats in engineering colleges within the state.
State-level entrance exams like MHT CET, KCET, WBJEE, AP EAPCET, TS EAMCET, GUJCET, OJEE, KEAM, COMEDK UGET, etc., are conducted for students seeking admission to engineering colleges within a state. These colleges may be closer to home and more affordable for some students.
4. Institute-Specific or New-Age Admission Routes
Some institutions follow a different set of admission processes, and this may be useful for students who want to specialise in a particular kind of education. For instance, a student who is eager to study Computer Science, AI, software development and technology can check admission routes for project-based Computer Science education.
There is project-based Computer Science learning at Scaler School of Technology, where students can apply through NSET , the National Scaler Entrance Test. The CS & AI Programme by Scaler School of Technology focuses on Computer Science Engineering for the AI era with applied AI exposure, practical learning and industry-linked learning.
Students who are looking for CSE-focused options beyond the usual JEE route can also read this guide on top CSE colleges without JEE .
How to Build a Practical Exam Shortlist
A practical exam strategy should not have too many options for the student to deal with. Therefore, 3-5 exams should be enough if they are chosen wisely.
Students who are unsure about their backup plan after JEE can also read this guide on what to do if JEE Mains not cleared.
To shortlist the right exams for engineering students, students can divide their exams into three groups:
1. Main target exam
This would be the exam to reach the student’s dream target. For the majority of engineering students, it would be JEE Main.
2. Strong backup exams
These are other engineering exams that can act as strong backup options. They can lead to good engineering colleges and allow students to have a few other branch options that they can fall back on in case JEE Main or JEE Advanced does not get them what they want.
3. Optional exams
These exams are useful only if you are ready to put in the effort to get into that college, relocate to that location and pay the fees that the college is charging.
Before applying, students should check:
Does the college offer my preferred branch?
Is the application and exam deadline manageable?
Is the syllabus similar to my current preparation?
Are the exam dates clashing?
Am I comfortable with the campus location?
Are fees and counselling rules clear?
This approach helps students apply for the right set of engineering entrance exams instead of randomly applying for a bunch of exams.
Conclusion
The exams for engineering in India that a student needs to apply for can be shortlisted using the above criteria. This can include the colleges that the student is targeting, the engineering branches that the student is interested in studying, the student’s current level of preparation, the location of colleges across the country, the budget that the student has for studying and any backup plans in case things do not work out with their primary choices.
FAQs
What are the best engineering exams in India?
The best engineering exams in India include JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, MET, COMEDK UGET, NSET, MHT CET, KCET, WBJEE, AP EAPCET, TS EAMCET, GUJCET, OJEE and KEAM.
Which exams should engineering students target after Class 12?
Most students should first consider JEE Main after Class 12, especially if they want to get into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs or become eligible for JEE Advanced for IIT admission. Depending on their goals, students can also consider other engineering entrance exams like BITSAT for BITS campuses, VITEEE for VIT, NSET for Scaler School of Technology, SRMJEEE for SRM, MET for Manipal, COMEDK UGET for engineering colleges in Karnataka, and relevant state-level entrance exams.
Is JEE Main enough for engineering admission?
JEE Main is a prime entrance exam through which students can secure admission in various colleges like NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and other colleges where admission is granted on the basis of JEE Main scores.
How many engineering entrance exams should a student give?
The practical number of engineering entrance exams that a student should write would be around 3-5 exams. Students could include their main exam, 1-2 targeted exams and 1-2 backup exams. It is very important to remember that trying to write too many exams can lead to too much stress and, as a result, can negatively impact a student’s preparation.
