Hotel Management Entrance Exams After 12th: Top Options & How to Apply

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• Updated on 12 Sep, 2025, 5:42 PM, by KollegeApply

After completing Class 12, many students interested in hospitality opt for hotel management degrees, diplomas, or certificates. There are several entrance exams at national, state, university, and institute levels that open doors to these courses. Here’s a guide to key exams, eligibility, and how to apply.

Why These Entrance Exams Matter

They determine entry into prestigious institutes that offer good industry exposure.
They test not just academic ability but service aptitude, communication, reasoning, and general awareness.
Some governments and private colleges use them to allocate seats or scholarships.

Top Hotel Management Entrance Exams in India

Here are the prominent entrance exams for hotel management after the 12th standard:

Exam Name	Conducting Body	Key Features / Requirements
NCHMCT JEE	National Testing Agency (NTA)	For admission to B.Sc. Hospitality & Hotel Administration programmes in IHMs across India. 10+2 pass with English required.
IIHM eCHAT	International Institute of Hotel Management	Online test + later GD/PI in many cases. Accepts students from any 10+2 stream.
AIHMCT WAT	Army Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology	Written Admission Test; specific to AIHMCT, Bengaluru.
AIMA UGAT (Hospitality Stream)	All India Management Association	UGAT has a hospitality stream; many private colleges use it.
Christ University Entrance Test	Christ University, Bengaluru	Private university exam; often includes a portion specific to hotel management or hospitality.
Oberoi STEP	Oberoi Hotels & Resorts	More of a training & selection programme than a pure exam; often has interview/ practical rounds.

Eligibility & Common Criteria

Most of these exams share similar eligibility requirements:

Passed 12th grade (10+2) from a recognised board.
English as a subject in 12th is often mandatory.
Minimum aggregate marks vary: usually 45-50% for the general category, may be lower (relaxed) for reserved categories.
Some exams allow students who have yet to appear for 12th, or whose results are awaited.

How to Prepare & Apply?

Here are the steps aspirants should follow:

Visit the official site of the exam (e.g. NCHMCT JEE, IIHM, etc.).
Check notification: application dates, syllabus, exam pattern.
Fill the registration form with accurate personal and academic details.
Pay the required fee online/offline as specified.
Keep scanned copies of 12th marksheet, photo, and signature ready.
Prepare using mocks/tests in reasoning, English, general knowledge, and service aptitude.

What to Expect: Exam Pattern & Subjects?

While pattern varies, most exams test:

English Language & Comprehension
Logical/Analytical Reasoning
General Knowledge / Current Affairs
Service or Hospitality Aptitude
Numerical Ability / Basic Mathematics

Duration tends to be between 60 and 180 minutes, depending on exam type.

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