I have compiled this list of some of the most prominent competitive entrance examinations for the benefit of students. (Source: Wikipedia & the internet)
1. GRE
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada and few in other countries. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS)
MBA
GRE score can be used for MBA programs in some schools.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer-adaptive standardized test in mathematics and the English language for measuring aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. Business schools commonly use the test as one of many selection criteria for admission into an MBA program. Starting in 2009, many business schools began accepting the GRE in lieu of a GMAT score. Policies varied widely for several years. However, as of the 2014–2015 admissions season, most business schools accept both tests equally. Either a GMAT score or a GRE score can be submitted for an application to an MBA program. Business schools also accept either score for their other (non-MBA) Masters and Ph.D. programs.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an examination conducted in India that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and science for admission into the Masters Program and Job in Public Sector Companies. GATE is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and seven Indian Institutes of Technologies at Roorkee, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Chennai (Madras) and Mumbai (Bombay) on behalf of the National Coordination Board – GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.
The GATE score of a candidate reflects the relative performance level of a candidate. The score is used for admissions to various post-graduate education programs (e.g. Master of Engineering, Master of Technology, Master of Architecture, Doctor of Philosophy) in Indian higher education institutes, with financial assistance provided by MHRD and other government agencies. Recently, GATE scores are also being used by several Indian public sector undertakings for recruiting graduate engineers in entry-level positions. It is one of the most competitive examinations in India. GATE is also recognized by various institutes outside India, such as Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Eligibility
The following students are eligible to take GATE:
Bachelor's degree holders in Engineering / Technology / Architecture (3 years after 10+2/ 10+2+3(ongoing)/ 10+2+4(ongoing)/ Post-B.Sc./ Post-Diploma) and those who are in the final year of such programs ( Also prefinal year of B.tech).
Master's degree holders in any branch of Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent and those who are in the final year of such programs.
Candidates in the second or higher year of Four-year integrated master's degree programs (Post-B.Sc.) in Engineering / Technology.
Candidates in the fourth or higher year of Five-year integrated master's degree programs or Dual Degree programs in Engineering / Technology.
Candidates with qualifications obtained through examinations conducted by professional societies recognized by UGC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by IE(India), AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers (India)-ICE(I), AMIETE By IETE(India)) as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech.
A candidate who is currently studying in the 3rd or higher years of any undergraduate degree program OR has already completed any government-approved degree program
3. TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 190 countries and territories. TOEFL is one of the two major English-language tests in the world, the other being the IELTS.
TOEFL is a trademark of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private non-profit organization, which designs and administers the tests. ETS issues official score reports which are sent independently to institutions and are valid for two years following the test.
4. IIT JEE
Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced (JEE-Advanced), formerly the Indian Institutes of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE), is an academic examination held annually in India. It is organized by one of the seven "old" IITs (IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, and IIT Guwahati)[3] under the guidance of the Joint Admission Board (JAB).
In 2013, the examination initially called the IIT-JEE was renamed to JEE (Advanced), and the AIEEE was renamed JEE (Main).
The eligibility criteria for taking the JEE (Advanced) exam are as follows:
Candidates should rank among the top candidates in Paper-1 of JEE (Main), broken down per category. For example, for JEE (Advanced) 2019, the top 250,000 were eligible, but only 46.5% of those were open for all, the rest being reserved for special categories.
Candidates should be less than 25 years of age, with five-year relaxation for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
Candidates can attempt examination at most two times in two consecutive years.
Candidates should have qualified the Class XII Board Examination (or equivalent) in the previous year.
Candidates should not have accepted admission in any of the IITs earlier.
In addition, candidates are required to either be within the category-wise top 20th percentile of successful candidates in the Class XII Board Examination or secure a 75% mark (65% for SC (scheduled castes), ST (scheduled tribes), and PwD (people with disabilities).
Coaching
Preparation for the Joint Entrance Exam begins typically two to four years before students take the test. More than 90% of students who passed this exam attended coaching institutes, which had created a ₹232.61 billion industry with annual tuition of up to ₹200,000.
These academies included mock tests multiple times a week, up to 200 students per class, and long hours. ranging from 4 to 7 hours a day, in addition to regular high school work. There were hundreds of academies across the country, and the most famous—in Kota, Rajasthan—attracted approximately 125,000 students each year.
Coaching programs are major corporations, listed on the Indian stock market and also attracting tens of millions of rupees of investment from private equity firms.
The high-pressure environments at these coaching institutes have been blamed for a significant number of suicides.
A web series on Youtube & Netflix called Kota Factory depicts the situation of IIT aspirants effectively.
5. Union Public Services Commission exams (UPSC exams)
I have compiled this list from Wikipedia for the benefit of students.
Gazetted Group A and B jobs exams
Union Public Service Commission, for Gazetted Group A and B jobs
Civil Services Examination (India) (CSE)
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE)
Indian Police Service Limited Competitive Examination (IPS LCE)
Special Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA)
Non-Gazetted Group B, C, D jobs exams
National Recruitment Agency (NRA), for Non-Gazetted Group B, C, D jobs
Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB)
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGLE)
Central Selection Board of Constable (CSBC)
Central Civil Services (Group B) (UPSC)
