India has a large number of competitive exams, with around 300 entrance exams conducted every year. The government conducts about 50 of these exams to hire people for government jobs. The number of exams is so high because India has a large population and it can be difficult to choose deserving candidates out of millions of other applicants. These exams are important because they can determine a person’s future career path. The exam authorities also want to ensure that every candidate is fairly assessed.
Some of the most competitive exams in India include:
- Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main
- Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
- Common Admission Test (CAT)
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- National Defense Academy (NDA)
- Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
These exams are very difficult to pass and require a lot of hard work and preparation. However, if you are successful, you can achieve great things in your career.
Upcoming Competitive Exams after Class 12th 2023-24
| Exam | Notification | Submission of Application | Admit Card | Date of Examination | Result |
| SSC CHSL | — | — | 7 days before the exam | 9 Mar – 21 Mar 2023 | To be updated |
| SSC Stenographer | October 2023 | — | February 2024 | March 2024 | May 2024 |
| SSC MTS | — | 17 February 2023 | — | April 2023 | To be updated |
| NDA & NA | 21 December 2022 | — | — | 16 April 2023 | To be updated |
| AIIMS & NEET | — | February 2023 | 4th week of March 2023 | 7 May 2023 | 1st week of June 2023 |
| JEE Main | — | 7 Feb 2023 to 7 Mar 2023 | Last week of March 2023 | 6 Apr – 12 Apr 2023 | To be updated |
| BITSAT (Session I) | 31 Jan 2023 – 9 Apr 2023 | — | 10 May 2023 | 22 May 2023-26 May 2023 (Session I) | To be updated |
| BITSAT (Session II) | 23 May 2023 – 12 June 2023 | — | 16 June 2023 | 18 June 2023 – 22 June 2023 | To be updated |
| Railways (RRB NTPC Exam Date 2023) | February 2023 | April 2023 | May 2023 | June 2023 – Dec 2023(CBT-1 & CBT-2) | To be updated |
| CTET | — | — | — | Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 (tentative) | To be updated |
| CLAT | First week of August 2023 | First week of December 2023 | Dec 2023 | December 2023 | |
| AILET | September 2023 | Third week of November 2023 | Last week of November | Second week of Dec 2023 | Third week of December 2023 |
| KVPY | — | — | — | 22 May 2023 | To be updated |
| NEST | 27 February 2023 | 17 May 2023 | 12 June 2023 | 24 June 2023 | 10 July 2023 |
| NIFT | 1 November 2022 | 31 December 2022 | 3rd week of January 2023 | 5 Feb 2023 | 22 Feb – 24 Feb 2023 |
| SEED | — | 5 Sep 2022 – 4 Jan 2023 | 7 January 2023 | 15 Jan 2023 | 23 January 2023 |
Why are competitive exams so competitive in India?
There are a few reasons why competitive exams are so competitive in India.
- First, the population of India is very large. This means that there are a lot of people competing for the same jobs and opportunities.
- Second, the Indian education system is very competitive. Students are expected to perform well in school and on exams in order to be successful.
- Third, there is a lot of pressure on students to succeed. Parents and teachers often place high expectations on their children, which can add to the pressure to perform well on exams.
How can I prepare for a competitive exam?
The best way to prepare for a competitive exam is to start studying early. This will give you enough time to learn the material and practice answering questions. You should also make sure that you are familiar with the exam format and the types of questions that will be asked.
There are many resources available to help you prepare for competitive exams, such as books, online courses, and practice exams. You should also find a study group or mentor who can help you stay motivated and on track.
What are the benefits of passing a competitive exam?
Passing a competitive exam can open up a world of opportunities. You may be able to get a high-paying job, pursue your dream career, or gain admission to a prestigious university. Passing a competitive exam can also give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your confidence.
Upcoming Competitive Exam 2023-24
Here is a list of competitive exams in India that you can pursue after high school, without the need for graduation .
Joint Entrance exam 2023-24 Mains/Advance
JEE Main is an important exam for science stream students who want to study engineering, architecture, or planning. It is conducted twice a year by the National Testing Agency (NTA).The exam is divided into two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 tests your knowledge of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Paper 2 tests your general aptitude and drawing skills.
The exam is very competitive, so you need to score well in order to qualify. The cutoff scores are high, so you need to work hard to prepare for the exam The application process for the exam begins in October and November. If you are a science stream student and are interested in pursuing a career in engineering, architecture, or planning, then you should consider taking JEE Main.
JEE Main Exam Pattern:
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Institutes | IIITs, NITs and many other top colleges in India |
| Exam type | Both online and offline |
| Total Questions | 90 MCQs |
National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET)/AIIMS
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is a premier medical institute in India. It is a government-run institution that offers undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses. AIIMS conducts a nationwide entrance exam for admission to its undergraduate medical course. Students who pass the entrance exam are eligible to appear for the special medical tests conducted by AIIMS.
The special medical tests are conducted to assess the physical and mental fitness of the students who have passed the entrance exam. The tests include a medical history, physical examination, and a few other tests. The results of the special medical tests are used to determine the eligibility of the students to be admitted to AIIMS.
The minimum eligibility criteria for appearing for the special medical tests are as follows:
- The student must have passed their 12th from CBSE/ISC/State Board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as the main subjects.
- The student must have scored a minimum of 40-50% aggregate in 12th (depending on their category).
- The student must be physically and mentally fit to pursue a medical degree.
The special medical tests are conducted in various AIIMS centers across India. The dates and timings of the tests are announced on the AIIMS website. Students who are interested in appearing for the special medical tests must apply online on the AIIMS website. The application process opens a few months before the commencement of the tests.
The special medical tests are a crucial step in the admission process to AIIMS. Students who pass the tests are eligible to be admitted to AIIMS.
AIIMS & NEET Exam Pattern:
| AIIMS | NEET | |
| Exam duration | 3 hours and 30 minutes | 3 hours and 20 minutes |
| Institutes | AIIMS affiliated institutions in India | All the medical colleges except AIIMS and JIPMER |
| Exam type | Online | Offline |
| Total Questions | 200 Assertion reason and MCQs | 200 MCQs |
| Subjects Covered | Physics, Chemistry, Biology , General Knowledge, Aptitude & Logical Thinking | Physics, Chemistry, Zoology and Botany |
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT )/ AILET
CLAT is a two-hour, 120-question multiple-choice exam that tests the candidate’s knowledge of English, general knowledge, legal reasoning, and quantitative aptitude. The exam is held every year in May.
To be eligible to appear for CLAT, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of India or a national of a country that has a reciprocal arrangement with India for admission to law schools.
- Have passed class 12th from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 45% (for general category candidates) or 40% (for reserved category candidates).
- Be at least 17 years old on the day of the exam.
Candidates who qualify CLAT are ranked in order of their performance and are admitted to NLUs based on their rank and the choice of law school they have made.
CLAT is a competitive exam, and the cut-off marks for admission to NLUs vary from year to year. However, in general, candidates who score 80% or above in CLAT are likely to be admitted to one of the top NLUs.
For more information about CLAT, please visit the official website of the Consortium of NLUs: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
CLAT & AILET Exam Pattern:
| CLAT | AILET | |
| Exam duration | 2 hours | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Institutes | 22 NLUs + Private Law Colleges | NLU , Delhi |
| Exam type | Paper-based | Paper-based |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs | 150 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | English Language, Current Affairs & General Knowledge and Logical Reasoning | English Language, Current Affairs & General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning and Logical Reasoning |
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for graduate and postgraduate law admissions. The LSAT Indian Exam Pattern 2023 contains important information on the exam formats, duration, mode, question types, marking scheme, and other features.
Candidates preparing for the upcoming LSAT must be well versed with the LSAT Indian Exam Pattern 2023. In short, the LSAT Indian Exam Pattern 2023 is the most important guide that will help you to study the topics as per their weightage in the exam. The LSAT exam has four sections: Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Variable.
LSAT Exam Pattern 2023
| LSAT Exam Full Form | Law School Admission Test – India |
| Conducting body | LSAC Global (Discover Law) |
| Courses offered |
|
| LSAT Exam fee | INR 3,799 regular fees |
| Mode of the exam | Online mode exam |
| Exam duration | 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Subjects | Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension |
| Score band | 420-480 |
| LSAT India 2023 exam date | January Cycle – To be announced
May Cycle – To be announced |
| Number of seats | UG courses – around 3,000 seats of five-year Integrated LLB courses
PG courses – around 1500 seats of three-year LLB and LLM courses |
| Accepting colleges | More than 50 colleges accept LSAT India scores |
National Defence Academy (NDA)
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is one of the most sought-after examinations for undergraduate students in India. Organized by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the NDA exam is conducted twice a year to select candidates for the Army Wing of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy.
To qualify for the NDA exam, candidates must appear for a written exam and an SSB interview. The written exam consists of two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The Mathematics paper tests the candidate’s knowledge of basic mathematics, while the GAT paper tests the candidate’s knowledge of English, general knowledge, and current affairs.
The SSB interview is a two-day process that assesses the candidate’s personality, leadership qualities, and suitability for a career in the armed forces.
Candidates who are successful in both the written exam and the SSB interview are admitted to the NDA, where they undergo a rigorous four-year training program. On successful completion of the training program, candidates are commissioned as officers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, or Indian Air Force.
NDA 2023-24 Exam Pattern:
| Exam duration | General Ability Test – 2 hours and 30 minutes, Maths – 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Exam type | Offline |
| Total questions | General Ability Test – 150 MCQs, Maths – 120 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | Current Affairs, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, General Science and Mathematics |
Common Admission Test (CAT/MAT/XET)
MBA entrance exams are not easy, but with determination and hard work, you can clear them. These exams are designed to measure the effectiveness of students, and entrance exams like CAT can help graduate students get admissions into some of the most prestigious MBA programs.
Here are some tips for preparing for MBA entrance exams:
- Start studying early. Don’t wait until the last minute to start preparing for your MBA entrance exams. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to learn the material and practice answering questions.
- Take practice tests. There are many practice tests available online and in books. Taking practice tests will help you get familiar with the format of the exam and the types of questions that will be asked.
- Join a study group. Studying with other people can help you stay motivated and accountable. You can also learn from each other and get help with difficult concepts.
- Get professional help. If you’re struggling to prepare for your MBA entrance exams, you can consider getting professional help from a tutor or test prep company.
With determination, hard work, and proper preparation, you can clear MBA entrance exams and get admitted to your dream MBA program.
| CAT | MAT | XAT | |
| Exam duration | 2 hours | 2 hours 30 minutes | 3 hours 10 minutes |
| Institutes | IIMs, IITs and many top colleges in India | BIMTECH, IMT, Indus Business Academy, ISBM and many top colleges in India | XLRI, IMI, IMT, XIME, IRMA, MICA, TAPMI, Great Lakes, BIMTECH and many top colleges in India |
| Exam type | Offline | Offline | Online |
| Total Questions | 64-76(MCQs + Descriptive) | 200 MCQs | 100 MCQs + 1 Descriptive |
| Subjects covered | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian and Global Environment | Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation and General Knowledge |
Start early, create a study schedule, practice with previous year papers, and consider enrolling in reputable coaching or online courses
Exam pattern changes vary by exam, but staying updated through official websites and mock tests will help you adapt to any alterations.
Generally, English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, and Current Affairs are important across various exams. Tailor your preparation according to the specific exam's syllabus.
Yes, you can apply for multiple exams, but ensure the exam dates do not clash. Manage your time efficiently to prepare for all selected exams adequately. How should I prepare for these upcoming competitive exams?
Are there any changes in exam patterns for 2023?
What are the key subjects to focus on for multiple competitive exams?
Can I apply for multiple competitive exams simultaneously?