Isha
06 September, 2025
Table of Contents
A student’s life is full of ups and downs. More than academics, they stay busy thinking about their future. And this journey officially begins after the 10th. As a student, you may also relate to this. Completing 10th may feel like standing at a crossroads for 10+2 streams. But have you ever evaluated your options beyond PCM, PCB, and commerce streams?
There are various entrance exams after 10th grade that you take to test your knowledge. These entrances could be your gateway to a recognised school, a job under the government of India, a scholarship, etc. With this blog, we shall provide you with the top 8 entrance exams after 10th. Furthermore, you shall also discover some Olympiad exams for global career opportunities and recognition. So, are you ready to explore? Let’s get into it.
Most entrance exams, such as IIT JEE, NEET, and NDA, can only be taken after completing 10+2. However, we have refined the long list of entrance exams and brought to you the top entrance exams after 10th that you can appear for. Let us go through it.
Also known as UPJEE, JEECUP is a polytechnic exam. This is a state-level exam, which is conducted by the Joint Entrance Examination Council, UP (JEECUP). The CBT exam provides admission to top polytechnic colleges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. You can take this exam after 10th, with a percentage score 35%. To apply for the exam, you must be at least 14 years old and have passed the 10th grade. Moreover, the exam contains three sections: mathematics, physics, and chemistry. You get 2 hours and 30 minutes to opt for the 120 marks exam.
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Entrance Exam |
Frequency | Annual |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Fee |
INR 300 for General & OBC candidates INR 200 for SCs/STs |
You can also consider entrance exams after 10th for scholarships. The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national-level exam, conducted every year. The competitive exam makes you eligible to secure national scholarships from the government of India. NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) organises this exam in two stages. NTSE stage 1, a state-level exam, serves as a qualifying stage for NTSE stage 2, the national level. To appear for the exam, you need to have 60% marks in class IX. Students in 11th and 12th receive INR 1,250 per month. You shall receive INR 2,000 per month during graduation.
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Scholarship |
Frequency | Annual |
Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
Exam Fee | INR 50 – INR 200 (varies by state) |
The Indian Navy conducts the Indian Navy Matric Recruit exam once a year. The exam is organised for 10th pass candidates who are seeking a job in the Indian Navy. It makes you qualify for the post: Sailors for Matric Recruit (MR). The 30-minute exam contains 50 objective-type questions. Furthermore, the Indian Navy MR exam is a process of three steps. First off, you need to qualify for the computer-based exam. Next, a physical fitness test is conducted for shortlisted candidates, followed by a medical examination.
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Entrance (Indian Navy) |
Frequency | Twice a Year |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Fee | INR 550 + 18% GST (approx.) |
The entrance exams after 10th list also include the Soldier Tradesman Exam. It is conducted to recruit potential candidates under the Agniveer Scheme for the Indian Armed Forces. You can take this exam after 10th with a minimum age requirement of 17.5 years. Furthermore, the selection process includes a written test, physical fitness test, physical measurement test, and adaptability test. This is a 60-minute exam that contains 50 questions. It tests your general knowledge, general science, mathematics, and logical reasoning.
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Entrance (Indian Armed Forces) |
Frequency | Once or Twice a Year |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Fee | INR 250 |
Another popular entrance exam after 10th is the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff exam, organised by the Staff Selection Commission. It is conducted annually to recruit candidates for various tasks under the Government of India. You can take this exam after class 10th. It is ideal for anyone looking for a job immediately after completing 10th grade. However, students with advanced qualifications can also appear for SSC MTS. The national-level exam is CBT-based. It tests your general awareness, general knowledge, logical reasoning, mathematical aptitude, and English language skills.
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Entrance (Non-Technical Government Jobs) |
Frequency | Once a Year |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Fee | INR 100 for General / OBC / EWS |
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test is a Lateral Entry Selection Test for admission to Class 11th. The exam is appropriate for anyone who is seeking admission to Navodaya Vidyalaya after 10th. This is one of the most popular entrance exams after 10th. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) conducts the JNVST Class 11th exam every year. This national-level exam is conducted offline, which is an OMR-based test. Moreover, the 100 marks exam tests your mental ability, English, science & social science knowledge, and mathematics.
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Entrance (Navodaya Vidyalaya) |
Frequency | Once a Year |
Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR-based) |
Exam Fee | No application fees |
SSC GD (General Duty) Constable is a 10th-level exam. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts this exam every year. It recruits you for the posts of constable (general duty) in the Indian Armed Forces. This includes CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), NIA (National Investigation Agency), BSF (Border Security Force), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Apart from this, you could also be part of CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), SSF (Secretariat Security Force), and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles. Besides, the exam is conducted in four stages: Computer-Based Test, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Standard Test (PST), and Detailed Medical Exam (DME).
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Entrance (Indian Armed Forces) |
Frequency | Once a Year |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Fee |
INR 100 (General & OBC Males) Exempted for women and reserved categories. |
Are you seeking to pursue your higher education abroad? If yes, then taking the SAT after 10th grade could be beneficial. Scholastic Aptitude Test is an internationally recognised entrance exam, especially in the US, Canada, and other countries. This exam assesses your readiness for higher education according to international standards. Even though you can appear for the SAT after 10th, you still have to complete your 10+2 to pursue a bachelor’s abroad. It includes reading, writing, and mathematics sections, for which the score ranges from 400 to 1600.
Exam Type | Details |
---|---|
Exam Type | Entrance |
Frequency | Multiple Times in a Year |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Fee | $ 130.98 (INR 11,545.52) |
*Note: Exam fees are subject to change and vary depending on factors like additional bank charges, platform fees, year of applying, etc.
Olympiad exams are organised at local, state, national, and international levels. They allow you to test your knowledge and chase your passion beyond academia. Here are some of the popular Olympiad entrance exams after 10th that you can appear for:
Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO): This is a mathematical competition organised in India. Qualifying for INMO gets you selected to the Indian team for the International Mathematical Olympiad.
International English Olympiad (IEO): After passing the International English Language Test, you become shortlisted for IEO. This is an international-level exam competition, where you can compete with foreign students at local, national, and international levels.
International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO): This is a competition exam conducted for students between 14 and 18 years of age. The competition tests your ability to demonstrate your ideas and collaborate with foreign nationals.
National Science Olympiad (NSO): This is a science competition organised in India for students of classes 1 to 12. It helps authorities identify and nurture the young scientists of tomorrow.
International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO): This entrance exam is conducted every year by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). It tests your general knowledge of current events across the globe. The competition is organised at the school, city, state, regional, national, and international levels.
Qualifying for the 10th boards is not enough, as the real academic journey awaits you after that. Every student has different dreams, career goals, and interests to chase. While some settle with 10+2 in their desired stream, some look for opportunities to shape their passions. Whether it is an entrance to Navodaya, a scholarship, Indian Armed Forces jobs, or an olympiad, what matters is to choose the path that aligns with your career objectives. Explore each exam thoroughly and do not hold your ambitions back. Grab the opportunity, take the exam, and give a boost to your academic career.
Depending on your interests, you can appear for Military School, Navodaya Vidyalaya, SSC MTS, SSC GD, polytechnic, and various other exams, available after 10th.
No, you cannot appear for the Joint Entrance Exam right after 10th as the minimum eligibility criteria is 10+2. Besides, the JEE exam requires a mathematics and physics score earned in 10+2. However, you can start preparing for JEE while pursuing your 10+2 education.
Choosing the best scope after 10th depends on your career goals for the future. If you are seeking your career in technology and engineering, PCM (Physics, Chemistry, & Maths) is the best option. As a medical enthusiast, PCB (Physics, Chemistry, & Biology) would be an ideal fit. For finance and management grads, commerce stream is the most suitable option.
No, you cannot directly join the National Defence Academy (NDA) right after 10th. The NDA exam requires at least 10+2 qualification to appear for. Though, you can begin preparing for NDA in 10th standard.
For Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), opting for the Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM) stream would be most suitable, as IITs require mathematics as a mandatory subject in 10+2. It also helps further in the study of engineering and technology.
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