SANSHIKSHA ACADEMY · STUDENT GUIDE

Entrance Exams & Olympiads

Choose your goal. Understand the subjects, selection pathway and opportunities behind India's major entrance examinations and school Olympiads.

Plan for your examination year. Use the official links on each card for current eligibility, syllabus, registration dates and counselling. Olympiads develop subject depth and select students through successive stages; they are different from college entrance examinations.

Engineering entrance examinations

For students exploring engineering after Class 12, with a strong foundation in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

JEE Main

Joint Entrance Examination — Main · NTA

A major route to undergraduate engineering at NITs, IIITs and other participating institutions.

  • Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech; Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
  • Separate papers cover B.Arch and B.Planning.
  • Also used to shortlist eligible Indian candidates for JEE Advanced; other eligibility conditions apply.
Official JEE Main information

JEE Advanced

IIT admission pathway

For admission to undergraduate programmes at the IITs, subject to rank, eligibility and counselling.

  • Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics across two compulsory papers.
  • Preparation focus: deep concepts, reasoning and problems that combine topics.
  • Check eligibility separately from JEE Main and complete the required counselling.
Official JEE Advanced information

BITSAT

BITS Pilani first-degree admissions

An entrance route to eligible first-degree programmes at BITS.

  • Tests Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, English and Logical Reasoning.
  • Subject choice and Class 12 requirements depend on the programme.
  • Preparation focus: accuracy, speed and a broad subject base.
Official BITS admissions

Medical & university entrance examinations

NEET UG

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test · NTA

The national entrance examination for MBBS, BDS and other programmes that use NEET under applicable admission rules.

  • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
  • Preparation focus: NCERT understanding, recall and regular question practice.
  • Qualification and admission are separate; counselling, rank and programme eligibility matter.
Official NEET UG information

CUET UG

Common University Entrance Test · NTA

For undergraduate admissions at central and other participating universities.

  • Language, domain subjects and General Aptitude Test options.
  • Choose tests according to the exact university and course requirements.
  • University applications and admission procedures may need separate steps after the test.
Official CUET UG information

Mathematical Olympiads

For school students who enjoy challenging problems, logical thinking and mathematical proofs.

Mathematics selection pathwayIOQM → RMO → INMO → further training and selection for international representation. Progression depends on the official selection criteria at each stage.

IOQM

Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics

The first examination stage of India's Mathematical Olympiad programme, organised by MTA(I).

  • Preparation focus: algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics.
  • Eligible school students must meet the year's class, age and other rules.
  • Selection from IOQM leads to RMO under the published criteria.
Official IOQM information

RMO

Regional Mathematical Olympiad

The second examination stage, for candidates selected through IOQM.

  • Requires detailed written proofs.
  • Preparation focus: explaining why a solution works, not just finding an answer.
  • Selected students progress to INMO.
Official mathematical Olympiad stages

INMO

Indian National Mathematical Olympiad

The national examination stage following RMO selection.

  • Advanced problems require rigorous proofs.
  • Success leads towards further training and selection.
  • International team selection involves additional stages; qualification is not an automatic team place.
Official INMO pathway

IAPT Science Olympiads & Junior Science

IAPT is the Indian Association of Physics Teachers. It organises the National Standard Examinations listed below—the first stage of the science Olympiad pathway.

Science selection pathwayNational Standard Examination → Indian National Olympiad → orientation and selection camp → training and international participation. Check current subject-specific rules, age limits and selection notices.

NSEP

National Standard Examination in Physics

Physics Olympiad entry stage. Emphasises conceptual application and problem solving. The next subject stage is INPhO.

Official IAPT information

NSEC

National Standard Examination in Chemistry

Chemistry Olympiad entry stage. Develop physical, organic and inorganic Chemistry understanding. The next subject stage is INChO.

Official IAPT information

NSEB

National Standard Examination in Biology

Biology Olympiad entry stage. Build conceptual understanding and scientific reasoning. The next subject stage is INBO.

Official IAPT information

NSEA

National Standard Examination in Astronomy

Astronomy Olympiad entry stage, supported by strong Physics and Mathematics. The next subject stage is INAO.

Official IAPT information

NSEJS · Junior Science

National Standard Examination in Junior Science

For younger eligible students: Physics, Chemistry and Biology up to Class 10 level. The next stage is INJSO. Check the specific birth-date and class requirements.

Official Junior Science information

Read IAPT's official explanation of the science Olympiad pathway.

Science & research admissions

IAT

IISER Aptitude Test

An admission route to programmes offered through IISER admissions.

  • For students interested in science, inquiry and research.
  • Check the test syllabus and the specific programme's subject requirements.
  • Review the official list of programmes and counselling instructions.
Official IISER admissions

NEST

National Entrance Screening Test

For the five-year Integrated MSc at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai.

  • Subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
  • Designed for students interested in basic sciences and research.
  • Check subject-wise scoring, eligibility and institute admission steps.
Official NEST information

More career paths after Class 12

Explore major options beyond engineering and medicine. Each institution sets its own admission requirements.

NDA & NA

Defence · UPSC

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy examination.

  • Written papers include Mathematics and General Ability Test.
  • Selection also involves the prescribed interview and medical requirements.
  • Check age, educational and service-specific criteria.
Official UPSC examinations

CLAT UG

Law · Consortium of NLUs

An entrance route to undergraduate law programmes at participating National Law Universities.

  • Explore the official syllabus and participating universities.
  • Check course eligibility and the separate counselling process.
Official CLAT information

NATA

Architecture · Council of Architecture

National Aptitude Test in Architecture, used for B.Arch admissions by institutions accepting NATA.

  • Assesses aptitude for architecture.
  • Qualifying the test does not replace the institution's eligibility and admission process.
Official NATA information

UCEED

Design · IIT Bombay

Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design.

  • A route to B.Des admissions at participating institutions.
  • Review the design aptitude syllabus and admission requirements.
  • Examination qualification and admission applications are separate steps.
Official UCEED information

Need help choosing your preparation path? Discuss your class, subjects and goals with Sanshiksha Academy: 77050 02074 / 77050 02075. Contact the Academy for available batches. This guide covers major options; it is not an exhaustive list of every entrance examination.

Guide reviewed: 3 October 2026. Official organising bodies remain the source for examination rules and announcements.