What Entrance Exams Are Accepted for BCA programs in 2026?

Students seeking the technology driven career after 12th, select BCA program (Bachelor of Computer Applications). With the increase of admission in BCA program, the competition for BCA seats in top colleges are also rising. 
 
Understanding entrance exam for BCA after 12th and BCA entrance syllabus is essential. Confirming is CUET compulsory for BCA and knowing which entrance exam is best for BCA, is vital for aspiring candidates.
 
In this blog, we will discuss about best entrance examination for BCA admission 2026 and their syllabus. 
 

Which entrance exam should I give for BCA?

 
All top reputed Indian colleges and university assess a student who wants to take admission in BCA program. The assessment is done through entrance examination where his aptitude for Maths, English, computers and reasoning is tested. 
 
The entrance exam for BCA after 12th ensures that all meritorious students get admission through test that examines their essential skills for a tech management career. Knowledge of best entrance exam for BCA after 12th which helps candidates prepare strategically for target college.
 
The national level entrance exam is ideal for BCA admissions in top government and government affiliated colleges in India. The university-specific entrance exams are conducted by private college or university.
 

Mentioned below are top entrance exam for BCA admission:

 
1. Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate CUET-UG: The national level entrance exam is widely accepted by central, state affiliated government college and many private universities.
 
2. Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU-CET): The Delhi state level IPU-CET entrance exam is required for BCA admission in GGSIPU- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and its affiliated colleges.
 
3. Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET): SET is university specific entrance exam, needed for BCA admission in Symbiosis International University and allied institutions.
 
4. MAH BCA CET:  MAH BCA CET is conducted for Maharashtra colleges/universities for admissions in BCA.
 
5. Other university-specific entrance exams: Private colleges and universities like Christ University Entrance Test, SUAT Sharda University Admission Test, Lovely Professional University NEST, GLAET and more.
 

List of entrance exam for BCA after 12th

 

Exam Name

Conducted By

Main Accepting Institutes

Level

CUET UG

National Testing Agency (NTA)

All Central Universities, many State & Private

National

IPU CET

GGSIPU

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi

University

SET

Symbiosis International Univ.

Symbiosis (Pune & other campuses)

University

AIMA UGAT

AIMA

Multiple Participating Institutes

National

MAH BCA CET

Maharashtra CET Cell

Participating Maharashtra colleges

State

Christ University BCA Entrance

Christ University

Christ University, Bengaluru

University

DSAT

Dayananda Sagar Univ.

Karnataka region

University

LPU NEST

Lovely Professional Univ.

LPU Punjab

University

 

Is CUET Compulsory for BCA?

 
A major question for BCA aspirants "Is CUET compulsory for BCA?" The answer depends on the university/college in which candidates requires admission. Following is the role CUET plays for admission in BCA program:
 
Most central and several state/public universities give CUET-UG first preference and in many colleges/university like Delhi University, BHU, JNU, and others, CUET-UG entrance exam is compulsory.
Private universities also accept CUET scores but many private and deemed universities conduct their own entrance exams or reserve a percentage of seats for direct admission based on Class 12th results.
 
Hence, it is important to check the admission process of desired BCA college. If the target institute is a central/state university, then CUET is the mandatory entrance exam for BCA after 12th while for some private institutes, other private university specific entrance exams will be more relevant and direct admissions can also be possible.
 

BCA Entrance Exam Dates 2025

 
Mostly BCA colleges, take admission through entrance examination. Learners, who have given entrance exam and have qualified it, are given priority during the admissions.
 
The BCA entrance exams dates 2025 are essential for understanding the schedule, to plan timely registration and preparation for the entrance exams. Mentioned below is the summary of major BCA entrance exam dates 2025:
 

Exam Name

Application Start

Last Date to Apply

Exam Dates

CUET UG 2025

Feb 2025

First week of April 25

May – June 2025

IPU CET

Feb 1, 2025

April 10, 2025

May/June 2025

SET

Dec 2024

April 2025

1st or 2nd week May 25

MAH BCA CET

Feb/Mar 2025

April 2025

April 2026 (tentative)

AIMA UGAT

Mar 2025

May 2025

May 2025

Christ Univ.

Dec 2024

April 28, 2025

May 2025 (varies)

LPU NEST

Jan 2025

Ongoing (multiple phase)

Multiple dates

 

BCA Entrance Exam Syllabus 2026

Candidates need to stay updated with the BCA entrance exam syllabus. Mentioned below is common syllabus and topics important for BCA entrance examination: 
 
1. Logical Reasoning
 
Number and letter series, 
odd pair, 
coding-decoding, 
syllogisms, 
blood relations and 
patterns
 
2. Quantitative Aptitude/Mathematics
 
Arithmetic- percentages, profit-loss, time-speed-distance, simple & compound interest
Algebra
Geometry and 
Mensuration
Data Interpretation 
 
3. English 
 
Reading comprehension
Synonyms/Antonyms
Vocabulary, 
idioms, 
sentence completion, 
analogy and 
para jumbles
 
4. Current Affairs
 
Static GK of History, Geography and Polity
Business Awareness, 
Science,
Environment
Current events 
 
5. Computer Awareness
 
Basics of Computers-Hardware, Software, MS Office, Internet
Data structures (fundamentals), 
Programming basics (for some exams like IPU CET)
History of computers, 
Uses, and 
practical IT knowledge
 

Major sections

Important topics

English Language

Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension

Logical Reasoning

Patterns, Puzzle/Series, Coding-Decoding, Syllogisms

Gen. Knowledge

National & International Events, History, Polity, Science

Computer Basics

Computer Fundamental, MS Office, IT Applications

Quantitative

Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry

 

Final Takeaway
 
Most of the BCA colleges/universities accepts top BCA entrance exam after 12th like CUET-UG and IPU-CET. BCA entrance exam dates 2026 is about to start, it is essential to keep an check on the application form, BCA entrance exam syllabus and start planning exam strategies. Understanding these entrance exams is essential before filling the application form of the same.
 
The exact date of the commencement of BCA entrance exams after 12th depends on conducting bodies and on private university/college. Learners need to keep themselves updated with these dates for not missing last date of filling the entrance examination form and should start preparing for their desired entrance examination.  
 
FAQs
 
Q1. Which entrance exam should students give for BCA?
Ans 1: CUET and IPU-CET are the most important and widely accepted entrance examination for BCA admission in central/state universities.
 
Q2. Is CUET compulsory for BCA?
Ans2: Yes, for central, many state government universities and colleges, CUET is compulsory for BCA admission. 
 
Q3. What is the entrance exam for BCA after 12th?
Ans3: After 12th, there are many BCA entrance examinations, like CUET, IPU CET, SET, AIMA UGAT, and others, depending on the university or college.
 
Q4. What are BCA entrance exam dates expected for 2026?
Ans4: the expected dates for CUET-UG 2026 examinations tentatively will be around May-June 2026 and registration forms will be released during first week of April 2026.
 
Q5. What is the BCA entrance exam syllabus?
Ans 5: The BCA entrance exam syllabus includes topics of Maths/Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, General English, General Knowledge, and Computer Awareness as per the chosen entrance exam 
 
 

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