The JEE Main Exam is regarded as the main entry point for lakhs of students hoping to enroll in prestigious engineering schools across the country. But since just a small percentage of the 11 lakh applicants who take the JEE exam each year are accepted into IITs and NITs, it’s important to look at other competitive tests. In addition to JEE, a number of reputable institutions offer their own entrance tests, providing access to top-notch engineering education.
According to Taran Singh, an IIT Madras alumnus and founder of Melvano, students should apply to multiple engineering entrance exams beyond JEE to increase their chances of securing admission into quality engineering institutions.
Scaler National Scholarship and Entrance Test (NSET): An Alternative Path Beyond JEE Main
The Scaler National Scholarship and Entrance Test (NSET) is for students interested in Scaler’s industry-focused 4-year undergraduate program in Computer Science and AI.
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- Conducting Body: Scaler School of Technology
- Purpose: Admission to Scaler’s 4-year undergraduate program in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in Bangalore.
- Exam Dates:
- March Intake: March 16, 2025
- April Intake: April 26 and 27, 2025
- May – July: To be announced
- Application Deadlines:
- March Intake: March 14, 2025
- April Intake: April 24, 2025
- Application Fee: ₹1,000
Eligibility: Candidates must be under 20 years of age as of July 1, 2025, and have scored at least 60% in Mathematics in their Class XII examination. For interviews, SST also considers profile-based shortlisting, which includes competitive exam scores like JEE, BITSAT, SAT, etc. Olympiad achievements, Tech/Entrepreneurship achievements: For example, top rank in websites like Codeforces.
Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)
The BITSAT is a national-level entrance test conducted by BITS Pilani for admission to its engineering programs across Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses.
- Conducting Body: BITS Pilani
- Purpose: Admission to integrated first-degree programs at BITS campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.
- Exam Dates:
- Session 1: May 26 to 30, 2025
- Session 2: June 22 to 26, 2025
- Application Period:
- Phase 1: January 21 to April 18, 2025
- Phase 2: May 26 to June 10, 2025
Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET)
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) provides admission to engineering colleges across Maharashtra.
- Conducting Body: Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell
- Purpose: Admission to engineering and technology programs in Maharashtra state colleges.
- Exam Dates:
- PCM Group: April 19 to 27, 2025 (excluding April 24)
- PCB Group: April 9 to 17, 2025 (excluding April 10 and 14)
- Application Period: December 30, 2024, to February 15, 2025
Consortium of Medical, Engineering, and Dental Colleges of Karnataka Under Graduate Entrance Test (COMEDK UGET)
The Consortium of Medical, Engineering, and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK UGET) is a state-level test for private engineering colleges in Karnataka.
- Conducting Body: Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka
- Purpose: Admission to engineering programs in Karnataka’s private unaided colleges.
- Exam Date: May 10, 2025
- Application Period: February 3 to March 15, 2025
West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE)
The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) is the key to securing admission to engineering colleges in West Bengal.
- Conducting Body: West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB)
- Purpose: Admission to undergraduate engineering programs in West Bengal.
- Exam Date: April 27, 2025
- Application Period: January 22 to February 25, 2025
Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET)
The Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET) is for students aspiring to join engineering and other professional courses in Telangana.
- Conducting Body: Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH)
- Purpose: Admission to engineering, agriculture, and medical programs in Telangana.
- Exam Dates:
- Engineering: May 2 to 5, 2025
- Agriculture & Pharmacy: April 29 to 30, 2025
- Application Period: February 25 to April 4, 2025
VIT Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE)
VITEEE enables students to secure admission into undergraduate engineering programs at VIT campuses, making it one of the top private alternatives to JEE.
- Conducting Body: Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
- Purpose: Admission to undergraduate engineering programs at VIT campuses in Vellore, Chennai, Bhopal, and Amaravati.
- Exam Dates: April 21 to 27, 2025
- Application Period: November 4, 2024, to March 31, 2025
- Application Fee: ₹1,350
- Eligibility:
- Age Limit: Candidates born on or after July 1, 2003.
- Educational Qualification: Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 60% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.
SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Examination (SRMJEEE)
- Conducting Body: SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST)
- Purpose: Admission to B.Tech and integrated M.Tech programs at SRMIST campuses in Kattankulathur, Ramapuram, Delhi-NCR (Ghaziabad), Vadapalani, Tiruchirappalli, Sonepat, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Exam Dates:
- Phase I: April 22 to 27, 2025
- Phase II: June 12 to 17, 2025
- Phase III: July 4 to 5, 2025
- Application Deadlines:
- Phase I: April 16, 2025
- Phase II: June 6, 2025
- Phase III: June 30, 2025
- Application Fee: ₹1,400 per phase
- Eligibility:
- Age Limit: Candidates must have completed 16 years of age on or before July 31, 2025.
- Educational Qualification: Should have passed or be appearing in 10+2 or an equivalent examination with a minimum aggregate of 60% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.
For more detailed information and updates, candidates are advised to visit the official websites of the respective examinations. Staying updated with official notifications will ensure that you don’t miss any critical deadlines or changes in the examination schedules.