Medical Exams in India: List of Medical Tests After 12th (Other Than NEET)

Is NEET the only medical exam in India or are there other medical entrance tests other than NEET? That’s the question, isn’t it? Well, let’s find out.

The challenges in medical entrance exams are formidable, but they are not insurmountable. 

By adopting innovative learning methodologies, candidates can not only navigate these challenges but also emerge as well-rounded medical professionals. 

It, however, requires a strategic approach, unyielding dedication, and a willingness to go the extra mile.

Medical Exams in India

It’s no wonder that the sheer number of candidates competing for a limited number of medical seats intensifies the competition. 

Medical exams are high-stakes affairs where a single test can define an individual’s entire career. 

That’s why the pressure to perform exceptionally well is immense.

Moreover, candidates might face a deficiency in practical exposure, with a disproportionate emphasis on theoretical knowledge. 

This gap hampers their ability to apply theoretical learning in real-world medical scenarios.

This could also be due to limited resources because access to quality study materials, coaching facilities, and guidance from experienced mentors is not uniform across all candidates.

Despite the challenges, aspirants can still ace their medical entrance tests through regular practice, comprehensive knowledge of syllabi, and mock test series — all available on EMBIBE.

List of Medical Exams After 12th

Let’s go over the list of top medical exams in India that aspirants can opt for after completing their 12th or intermediate. 

Now, before we proceed, let’s break down this list into two: 

• National level exams
• State level exams

National Level Medical Exams

Beginning with national-level medical entrance tests.

1. NEET

The only medical entrance test that deserves to stay on top of the list is NEET. NEET stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. Now, NEET is the only medical entrance exam for MBBS in India. It is one of the most significant medical tests with stiff competition. 

Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET is a national-level entrance examination in India for admission to undergraduate medical courses, such as MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, B.Sc nursing, and others in government or private medical colleges.

Aspirants must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects are eligible. The minimum age limit is 17 years at the time of admission or December 31, 2024, and there is no upper age limit.

This year, NEET is scheduled for May 4, 2024.

For the NEET 2024 exam, distinct class 12 percentage criteria apply to each category, as outlined below. The eligibility marks for NEET in the 12th grade are calculated based solely on aggregate marks in the PCB subjects:

• UR (General): 50%
• OBC/SC/ST: 40%
• PWD (Persons with Disabilities): 40%

State-level Medical Exams

Here are some state-level medical entrance tests.

1. AP EAPCET

AP EAPCET, or Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture, and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test, is a state-level entrance examination conducted in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Formerly known as AP EAMCET, the exam is organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Kakinada on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).

The primary purpose of AP EAPCET is to facilitate admissions into various undergraduate professional courses offered in universities and private colleges across Andhra Pradesh. The exam is conducted for admission into engineering, agriculture, and pharmacy courses.

Eligibility Criteria

Here is the set of eligibility conditions for this medical entrance test:

• Aspirants must complete 10+2 or intermediate or any equivalent certification from a reputed board, recognised by BSE, AP.
• Applicants must have studied subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at the 10+2 level. Alternatively, candidates can have taken any of the optional subjects or relevant vocational subjects in the Engineering and Technology stream.
• Since we are discussing the medical stream, aspirants must have completed studies with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry as elective subjects, or opted for Biological and Natural Sciences.
• Also, to be eligible for the PharmD course, candidates need to have secured a minimum of 45% marks in the qualifying examination, with a relaxation to 40% for candidates belonging to reserved categories like SC/ST.
• The minimum age limit for this entrance test is 17 years as on December 31, 2024.

Courses Offered

The following courses are offered through AP EAPCET:

• Engineering: Engineering, Bio-Technology, BTech (Dairy Technology), BTech (Agr. Engg.), BTech (Food Science and Technology)
• Medical/Pharmacy: Medical courses, BPharma, DPharma etc.
• Agriculture: BSc (Ag.) / BSc (Hort.) / BVSc & AH / BFSc / BTech (FST) / BSc (CA&BM)

Learn more about AP EAPCET below:

2. GUJCET

GUJCET, or Gujarat Common Entrance Test, is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB). This examination is a gateway for students seeking admission to various undergraduate programs in engineering and pharmacy offered by institutions in the state of Gujarat.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Indian nationals and also candidates of Gujarat origin are eligible.
• Educational Qualification: A candidate must have passed the 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Computer as optional subjects.
• Minimum Marks: The minimum aggregate marks in the qualifying exam should be 45% for general category and 40% for reserved categories.

Admission Process

• Admission to various courses in engineering and pharmacy in the state of Gujarat is done based on GUJCET scores.
• Candidates are required to apply for counselling after the declaration of results.

Application Process

• Eligible candidates can apply online through the official GUJCET website during the specified registration period.
• The application process includes filling in personal details, and educational qualifications, and uploading necessary documents.

3. KCET UG

KCET, or Karnataka Common Entrance Test, is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). While KCET is primarily known for admission to undergraduate engineering programs, it also serves as the gateway for medical and dental courses in the state of Karnataka.

Here’s a breakdown of how aspirants can get into medical colleges through KCET UG:

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Indian nationals are eligible.
• Educational Qualification: 
  • For BPharma, aspirants must have completed their 12th grade with a minimum of 45% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology from a recognized board.
  • For BDS/MBBS, candidates aspiring for BDS/MBBS courses should have a minimum aggregate of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) in their 12th-grade examinations, and English is a compulsory subject. Additionally, they need to possess a valid NEET scorecard.

For more, read about the KCET 2024.

4. MHT CET

The MHT CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is an annual state-level entrance examination in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. MHT CET is an important exam for students seeking admission to undergraduate programs in various fields such as Engineering, Pharmacy, and Agriculture in colleges across the state of Maharashtra.

Subjects

The MHT CET exam covers subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) for engineering courses, and Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) for pharmacy and health science courses.

Centralized Admission Process (CAP)

The exam is a part of the centralized admission process, where candidates are required to fill in their preferences for courses and colleges. The counselling and seat allotment are done based on the merit list and the choices filled by the candidates.

Important Points

• The difficulty level of MHT CET is considered moderate to high, especially for engineering and health science courses.
• The majority of the seats through MHT CET are reserved for candidates from Maharashtra. However, a certain percentage of seats are also available for candidates from outside Maharashtra.
• Interested candidates need to fill out the online application form during the specified registration period.
• The final admission is based on the candidate’s performance in the MHT CET exam, the counselling process, and seat allotment.

For more, refer to our article on MHT CET.

5. TS EAMCET

TS EAMCET (Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH) on behalf of the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE). This exam is a gateway for admissions into various undergraduate professional courses offered by universities and private colleges in the state of Telangana.

Courses Covered

• Engineering Courses: B.Tech, B.E., B.Tech (Agriculture Engineering), B.Tech (Bio-Technology), B.Tech (Dairy Technology), B.Tech (Food Science and Technology).
• Pharmacy Courses: B.Pharm, B.Tech (Bio-Technology).
• Agriculture and Medical Courses: B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, B.Sc (Hons) Horticulture, B.Sc (Forestry), B.V.Sc & A.H, B.F.Sc, Pharm.D.

Educational Qualifications

• For Engineering and Pharmacy courses, candidates should have passed or appeared for the final year of the Intermediate Examination (10+2 pattern) with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry as optional or related vocational courses in the field of Engineering and Technology.
• For B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture / B.Sc (Hons) Horticulture / B.V.Sc & A.H / B.F.Sc and for Pharm.D, candidates should have passed or appeared for the final year of the Intermediate Examination (10+2 pattern) with Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as optional subjects.

Selection Process

• Based on the ranks obtained in TS EAMCET, candidates are called for the counselling process.
• Seats are allocated based on merit, choices filled by the candidate, and the availability of seats in the participating colleges.

How to Prepare for Medical Entrance Tests?

Here is how you can prepare for medical entrance exams like AP EAPCET, GUJCET, KCET UG, MHT-CET, and TS EAMCET:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern

Each exam has a unique pattern. Know the number of sections, types of questions, and marking schemes.

Familiarise yourself with the subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics, depending on the exam.

2. Create a Realistic Study Schedule

Plan a study schedule that suits your routine. Be consistent; short, regular study sessions are more effective than long, sporadic ones.

3. Master the Basics

Build a strong foundation in the basics of subjects. Clear concepts serve as a solid base for complex topics.

4. Prioritise Your Subjects

Identify weaker subjects and allocate more time to them. Distribute your study time based on your proficiency in each subject.

5. Utilise Quality Study Material

Choose reliable study materials, textbooks, and online resources that cover the exam syllabus comprehensively.

Take advantage of official practice papers and mock tests.

6. Practise Mock Tests Regularly

Mock tests simulate the real exam scenario. Practise them regularly to improve time management and identify weak areas.

7. Time Management is Key

Learn to manage your time during the exam. Practice answering questions swiftly without compromising accuracy.

8. Stay Healthy

A healthy body supports a healthy mind. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly.

9. Stay Positive and Focused

Positivity is a strategy. Believe in your ability to succeed, and stay focused on your goals.

10. Learn from Mistakes

Review and learn from mistakes in mock tests. Understand where you went wrong and improve for the next test.

FAQs on Medical Entrance Tests in India