Final year students in 2026, the exams you should study for depends on your goals. If you want to pursue postgraduate studies in India,focus on the CAT 2025 if aiming for an MBA or the GATE 2026 for engineering or other disciplines. Your choice should align with whether you want to pursue management, government services, or a technical career, with specific eligibility requirements to consider, such as minimum marks for CAT or age limits for UPSC.
Exams After Graduation
After Graduation there are many competitive exams available and you can choose to pursue the one which aligns with your career goals and interests. There are also government jobs like the UPSC Civil Services Exam, SSC CGL, State PSC exams and banking exams.
| Exam Name | Purpose\Degree Offered |
|---|---|
| CAT | MBA/PGDM(IIMs and Top B -Schools) |
| GATE | M.Tech/M.E/Ph.D |
| CEED | M.Des(Master of Design) |
| Header | Header |
| NEET-PG | MD/MS/PG Diploma (Medical Post Graduation) |
| UPSC | UPSC Civil Services Exam |
| CLAT | L.L.M in National Law Universities |
| IIT JAM | M.sc/Ph.D Dual Degree |
| SSC CGL | SSC |
| IBPS PO | IBPS/SBI |
| XAT | MBA/PGDM |
| SSC CPO | SSC |
| RBI Grade B | RBI |
| RRB NTPC | RRB |
| State PSC Exam | State Commissions |
Study Abroad Exams
Study Abroad Exams are a mix of English language proficiency tests and standardized entrance exams,which vary depending on your target country,university and program level. English proficiency tests are mandatory for the students whose first language is not English and are required to demonstrate their ability to study in an English speaking-environment.
| Exam Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| IELTS | To prove English fluency |
| TOEFL | To prove English fluency |
| SAT | Bachelor's Admission(mainly US) |
| GMAT | MBA and Business Master's |
| GRE | Master's/Ph.D Program |
How To Prepare For Abroad Exams
1.Research Requirements: The most important first step is to identify the exact exams required by your chosen universities and programs.
2.Prepare For Multiple Exams: Some institutions may require more than one test.
3.Plan Ahead: Start researching and preparing for your exams well in advance of the application deadlines.
JAM Exam
The Joint Admission Test for Master's(JAM) is a national-level entrance exam for admission to Master's and Integrated Ph.D. It is a 3-hour computer-based test(CBT). It covers subjects like Mathematics,Physics,Chemistry,Biotechnology,Geology,Mathematical Statistics and Economics. Candidates who have completed their undergraduate degree or are in the final year of their undergraduate program are eligible. There is no age limit.
CAT Exam
The [Common Admission Test(CAT)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Admission_Test)Common Admission Test(CAT)** is a national-level entrance exam for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs in India. It is a computer-based test that evaluates candidates on three sections: 1.Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension(VARC) 2.Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning(DILR) and 3.Quantitative Ability(QA)
The exam is 2 hours long,with each section allotted 40 minutes. There are both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ’S) and Non-MCQ'S type of questions in the exam. In the MCQS there is +3 for right answer and -1 for wrong answers and in Non-MCQ’S there is no negative marking and +1 for right answer.
TANCET Exam
TamilNadu Common Entrance Test(TANCET) is an entrance exam for postgraduate courses like MBA and MCA in TamilNadu,conducted by Anna University. The exam is 2 hours long and consists of 100 multiple choice questions,with one mark awarded for each right answer and a deduction of 0.25 for each incorrect answer. The syllabus includes quantitative aptitude,analytical reasoning,verbal ability and computer awareness.
GRE Exam
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test for graduate and professional program admissions including MBA and Ph.D Programs. It is a computer-based test with a duration of 1 hour 58 minutes. The test divides into 3 main sections:
1.Analytical Writing: Two essays with a 30 minute time limit for each.
2.Verbal Reasoning: It includes reading comprehension,text completion and sentence equivalence.
3.Quantitative Reasoning: Covers topics like arithmetic,algebra,geometry and data analysis.
GMAT Exam
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an exam for graduate business and management programs such as MBA. The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test with 3 sections: Quantitative Reasoning,Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. There are 64 questions in total:21 in Quantitative Reasoning, 23 in Verbal Reasoning, and 20 in Data Insights and the total exam time is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
IELTS Exam
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English proficiency test for non-native speakers who wish to study, work or migrate to an English speaking country. There are two main versions,IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training and it can be taken on both paper and computer. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.The test assesses four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
TOEFL Exam
The TOEFL is an internet-based test that assesses English Proficiency for both academic and professional purposes. There is no age limit or educational requirement for this test. It is required for applications to universities, for scholarships, student visas, and sometimes for professional certification or immigration.
SAT Exam
The SAT is a standardized test for college admissions,primarily in the United States and other countries. It is a digital test that is 2 hours and 14 minutes long. The registration fee is approximately $68 plus an additional international fee for students in India, with the total cost around ₹10,000.
FAQ'S
Q1. How do you prepare for the CAT exam?
Ans. Starting your preparation for the Common Admission Test (CAT) is an important step if you want to make it to top business schools in India. The strategy to prepare for the CAT includes understanding the syllabus and the exam pattern, creating a study plan which focuses on all areas of the syllabus and lastly staying updated with current events and focusing on relevant topics.
Q2. What is the purpose of the JAM Exam?
Ans. The purpose of the JAM Exam is to provide admission to postgraduate science programs at prestigious institutes like the IITs and IISc.It covers subjects like Mathematics,Physics,Chemistry,Biotechnology,Geology,Mathematical Statistics and Economics.
Q3. What are the exam options available after graduation?
Ans. After graduation, you can pursue various exam options including government and public sector jobs through exams like the UPSC Civil Services Exam, SSC CGL, and banking exams (IBPS/SBI PO). There are also options for postgraduate studies through exams like GATE (for engineering) or CAT/GMAT (for management). Additionally, you can aim for defence services via the CDS exam or pursue law through the CLAT exam.
Q4. Which is better, IELTS or TOEFL?
Ans. The best choice depends on an individual's strengths, choice of course,country and university. For academic purposes, TOEFL is often preferred in the United States, while IELTS is more common in the UK, Australia, and Canada. For immigration, IELTS is widely accepted by governments in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, whereas TOEFL is not accepted for migration purposes in Canada or the UK.