Every entrance exam syllabus in India rests on one of three bases: the class 11 and 12 NCERT content (NEET, JEE, CUET domain papers), your graduation subject (GATE, CUET PG) or pure aptitude in reading, reasoning and numbers (CAT, CLAT, IPMAT). Spot the base first and you know what to study and how deep.
This hub compares the big admission tests by course, eligibility and paper pattern, flags the marking rules that catch students out, and lists the detailed pages on this site, from the NEET syllabus to the CAT syllabus.
Exam at a glance
Main test bodies
NTA (NEET, JEE Main, CUET), IITs (JEE Advanced, GATE), IIMs (CAT), Consortium of NLUs (CLAT), ICAI (CA)Syllabus base
NCERT classes 11 and 12, graduation subject, or aptitudeMode
Mostly computer based; NEET UG and CLAT are pen and paperNegative marking
In most tests; none on GATE NAT and MSQ items or CAT type in answersAge limits
None for CLAT UG and CAT; NEET needs a minimum age of 17Official NEET site
Entrance exam syllabus: three kinds of base
- School content tests: NEET UG, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, state engineering tests such as MHT CET and WBJEE, and the CUET UG domain papers. All are built on class 11 and 12 physics, chemistry, biology or maths, so your board chapters double as entrance chapters.
- Degree content tests: GATE, CUET PG, IIT JAM and NIMCET test what you studied in college, often with a general aptitude part added.
- Aptitude tests: CAT, CLAT, IPMAT, NMAT and the CUET General Test have no fixed textbook. They test reading speed, logical and analytical reasoning, data handling and arithmetic, and CLAT adds legal reasoning and current affairs.
Professional courses sit apart: CA, CS and CMA exams have their own study material from the institute, and the foundation papers check accounts, law, maths and economics.
Big entrance exams compared
| Exam | Leads to | Basic eligibility | Paper pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEET UG (NTA) | MBBS, BDS, AYUSH | 12th with physics, chemistry, biology and English; 50 percent in PCB for general; age 17 or more | 180 questions, 720 marks, 3 hours, pen and paper |
| JEE Main (NTA) | B.E. and B.Tech at NITs, IIITs and others | 12th with physics, chemistry and maths | Paper 1: 75 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours, computer based |
| JEE Advanced (IITs) | IIT programmes | Top ranked JEE Main qualifiers | Two compulsory papers on the same day |
| CUET UG (NTA) | UG seats at central and other universities | 12th pass or appearing | Up to 5 tests, 50 questions each, 60 minutes per test |
| GATE (IITs and IISc) | M.Tech, PhD, some PSU jobs | Third year of a degree or above | 65 questions, 100 marks, 3 hours, 30 papers |
| CAT (IIMs) | MBA and PGP at IIMs and others | Graduation with 50 percent (45 for SC, ST, PwD) | Three sections, 40 minutes each, 2 hours |
| CLAT UG (Consortium of NLUs) | Five year law degree at NLUs | 12th with 45 percent (40 for SC, ST, PwD); no upper age limit | 120 questions, 2 hours, pen and paper |
Marking rules that change your strategy
The same accuracy can give very different scores, because each test penalises guessing in its own way.
- NEET UG and JEE Main: plus 4 for a right answer, minus 1 for a wrong one. In JEE Main the numerical questions carry the minus 1 too, so a random number in the box is a bad idea.
- CUET UG: plus 5 and minus 1, with all 50 questions compulsory in each test.
- GATE: only MCQs lose marks (one third of the question's value). Multiple select and numerical answer questions carry no penalty, so attempt every one of them.
- CAT: wrong MCQs lose a mark, but type in the answer questions do not.
- CLAT: plus 1 and minus 0.25 across 120 passage based questions.
Prepare by stream: a smart order
- Science with biology: NEET first, from the NCERT text in class 11. Add CUET UG with biology and chemistry as a backup, and a nursing or paramedical test if you want more options.
- Science with maths: JEE Main from class 11, then JEE Advanced if you qualify. State tests such as MHT CET, WBJEE or KCET and BITSAT use much the same content.
- Commerce: CUET UG for university seats, the CA Foundation if you want the CA route, and IPMAT for five year management courses.
- Humanities: CUET UG and CLAT. Reading and current affairs practice serves both.
- After graduation: CAT or other MBA tests, GATE for engineering and science, CUET PG for master's seats and NIMCET for MCA.
Your board exam still matters: NEET and CLAT set minimum class 12 marks, and admission to NITs and IITs through JEE adds a board marks rule. The school boards hub helps you keep both on track.
Detailed entrance pages on this site
- NEET physics, chemistry and biology: unit lists by subject.
- NEET eligibility, NEET cut off and NEET previous papers.
- JEE Main eligibility and JEE Main cut off.
- JEE Advanced eligibility: attempts and birth date rules.
- CUET syllabus: the three test sections explained.
- CUET previous papers: how to use them well.
- GATE CSE syllabus and GATE eligibility.
- CAT previous papers: VARC, DILR and QA practice.
- CLAT eligibility and CLAT cut off.
- CA Foundation eligibility: when you can register.
For law entrance rules straight from the source, see consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
How to read any entrance syllabus PDF
Official syllabus documents can run to many pages. Read them like this:
- Check who issued it. For NEET UG the syllabus comes from the National Medical Commission and is published with NTA's bulletin. For GATE, each paper's syllabus sits on the organising IIT's website.
- Compare it with last cycle. Units are sometimes added or trimmed. A topic missing from the new list is not worth your time, however often it came in older papers.
- Map each unit to a book chapter. For school content tests, write the NCERT chapter next to every unit. Gaps show where you need extra reading.
- Note the pattern separately. The syllabus tells you what; the bulletin tells you how many questions, how long and what penalty.
Frequently asked questions
Does NEET follow only the class 12 board chapters?
It covers class 11 and class 12 physics, chemistry and biology at the NCERT level, so it is close to your board syllabus but spans two years. The National Medical Commission sets it, and a few topics can differ from the CBSE list in a given year.
Can I prepare for JEE Main and CUET UG together?
Yes. CUET UG domain papers in physics, chemistry and maths follow class 12 content that JEE Main also covers. Add some practice for the CUET language test and, if your chosen course needs it, the General Test.
Which entrance exams have no upper age limit?
CLAT UG and CAT have no upper age limit, and CUET UG has none at the test level, though some universities set their own. NEET UG needs a minimum age of 17. Check each bulletin for the cut off date.
Do all entrance exams have negative marking?
Most do, but not on every question type. GATE does not penalise multiple select or numerical questions, and CAT does not penalise type in the answer questions. NEET, JEE Main, CUET and CLAT deduct marks for wrong MCQ answers.
Is GATE only for engineering students?
No. GATE has 30 papers, including science subjects and humanities and social sciences, alongside the engineering branches. Pick the paper that matches your degree and the institutes you want.
When should I start studying for entrance exams?
For NEET and JEE, class 11 is the natural start because half the syllabus comes from that year. For CUET and CLAT, steady reading and practice through class 12 is usually enough, with full mocks in the last three months.