Hotel Management Entrance Exams after 12th

Selecting a career after Class 12 is one of the major decisions in a student’s life. The hospitality, food service, tourism, and customer management can be a career choice for many students who are interested in Hotel management. The hospitality sector is now rapidly growing both in India and abroad. This growth means that there will be a lot of opportunities for the qualified professional as they join the workforce.

To follow this field, students will need to prepare and apply to various Hotel Management Entrance Exams after 12th. These examinations serve to offer students a chance to get into the best colleges and Universities for undergraduate programs in hotel/hospitality management.

Why Choose Hotel Management as a Career?

Hotel management isn’t just about cooking or food service; it is about managing the systems that are in place in hotels, resorts, restaurants, airlines, and even cruise liners. The growth of globalization and a rise in international tourism mean that skilled hotel management employees are needed worldwide. The industry is full of varied growth opportunities and attractive salary packages, and entails a unique, international experience.

For students wanting to start Hotel Management after Class 12, Hotel Management Entrance Exam preparation after 12th is the first step.

Hotel Management Entrance Exam After 12th

Students can give different levels of entrance exams after completing Class 12 for admission to hotel management courses. The most popular national-level exam among them is NCHMCT JEE. In addition to this, various state governments and some private universities also conduct state-level and government examinations through which students can gain entrance into reputed institutes. Students also have the option of gaining admission by direct admission (without an entrance) in a private college.

HM Entrance Exams At the Government Level after 12th in 2026

There is more than one entrance exam for hotel management courses every year at every level, from national, state, university, and institutional levels. Let us consider the important ones:

1. NCHM JEE

The National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination (NCHM JEE) is the most recognized and reputed examination in the world of hotel management aspirants. Along with NTA, this examination offers students admission in India to a large number of Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) across the country. Students must have completed Class 12, having English as a subject, to be eligible for the examination. Admission is mainly provided to the undergraduate B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration programme. Graduates of NCHM JEE will have exciting careers in some of the major hotel chains, airlines, cruise lines, and multinational hospitality firms.

2. AIHMCT WAT

Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Written Admission Test (AIHMCT WAT). This exam is the sole exam exclusively taken for admission to AIHMCT, Bengaluru, a prominent hotel management institute for hotel management studies. To be eligible for this exam, candidates must have passed Class 12 with a minimum 50% mark. Another important distinction is that Army wards and their children get preference, but civilians are entitled to apply as well. Many of those who graduate from AIHMCT can enjoy lucrative careers in catering and hospitality management.

3. Oberoi STEP

The Oberoi Systematic Training and Education Programme (STEP) differs from regular written entrance exams. Offered by The Oberoi Group, the STEP program is a selection process, focusing on practical Learning, Training, and Education, and also providing students with a stipend for their period of training. Anyone who has passed Class 12 is eligible for the STEP program. The primary benefit of Oberoi STEP is that you are guaranteed a job at The Oberoi Group, one of the most respected names in the global hospitality industry, and you are getting first-hand exposure to knowledge and practical skill development right from the beginning of your career.

4. IIHM eCHAT

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) conducts the Electronic Common Hotel Admission Test (eCHAT) for candidates who want to pursue a hotel management degree from any campus of IIHM in India or outside India. The qualifying condition is that the candidates must have passed Class 12 and have studied English as one of the subjects. The admission process includes an online examination followed by a group discussion test, and a personal interview. IIHM has a reputation internationally because of this; IIHM students benefit from opportunities to get global exposure, as these international collaborations open doors to opportunities to work with hotel chains globally. Those who successfully pass eCHAT can start with IIHM programs and subsequently venture into an exhilarating career in hotel management and hospitality.

5. Christ University Entrance Test

The Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) program at Christ University, Bengaluru, takes admission through an entrance exam conducted by them. This is one of the most popular private university options for hospitality aspirants. Students completing Class 12th from a recognised board are eligible to apply. The duration of the BHM degree is four years, focusing on modules related to hospitality, customer service, tourism, and global standards of the hospitality industry. PGDM graduates from Christ University usually get placements with some of the most well-known hospitality brands in India and internationally.

State-Level Hotel Management Entrance Exams after 12th

In addition to national examinations, some states have state-level entrance examinations for study at well-known hotel management colleges within their states. State exams are especially beneficial for students hoping to stay closer to their home region for study.

1. Maharashtra Hotel Management CET

The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) for Hotel Management is a state-level exam conducted by the CET Cell as a gateway exam to many hospitality and hotel management institutes across the state of Maharashtra. The examination is intended to assess logical thinking ability, general knowledge. Any candidates who have completed their Class 12 examination with English as one of the subjects can apply to complete this exam. The exam pattern is based on objective-type questions, which allow students to complete several sections within a specified time limit, which it easier. The successful completion of this exam provides access to the best hotel management institutions in Maharashtra.

2. UPSEE BHMCT

The Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology courses used to be followed through the Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE), as the entrance point, but are now part of the CUET (Common University Entrance Test) system. Therefore, by 2026, any student who wants to study at any of the hotel management institutes of Uttar Pradesh shall have to sit in the CUET exam to secure a seat.

3. WBJEE JEHOM

The Joint Entrance for Hospitality Management (JEHOM) is an entrance examination organized by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board (WBJEEB) for the purpose of facilitating the following studies to achieve student success in hospitality management. To apply for the entrance examination, candidates will need to achieve a minimum of 45% in Class 12. The JEHOM examination will also have12 Subject- subject-wise questions to test a candidate’s reasoning ability, reasoning aptitude, and critical thinking knowledge, as sala as knowledge of the service industry. A good score in JEHOM enables students to gain admission into one of the better colleges of West Bengal, such as NSHM School of Hotel Management.

4. Gujarat Hotel Management Admission

In Gujarat, admissions to hotel management programs are conducted through the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC). The admission process is not based on merit per se in class 12 and standing in the entrance exam-half, according to the course and college. To ensure fair and transparent distribution of seats in various hotel management institutes located in different towns of the State, ACPC conducts centralized counseling.

Hotel Management Entrance Exams after 12th: Preparation Tips

Four useful preparation tips for aspirants to prepare themselves for the entire Hotel Management course admission process through various institutions are listed below:

Prepare a preparation framework
The first step for the students to prepare themselves for the Hotel Management entrance examination is to prepare a preparation timetable. It is advisable to know the exam pattern and syllabus so that aspirants can plan their timetable. The first step is to collect the requisite books and sample papers. Students to improve productivity should plan the timings and finally the syllabus, so they do not overwork themselves.

Collect Study Material
This step pertains to collecting the appropriate sample papers and books related to the examination. There are frequent changes in the syllabus of the Hotel Management entrance exam, and it is therefore advisable to have recent books for the best preparation.

Solve Previous Year Question Papers
Analyzing/reviewing and lastly performing mock tests help students achieve better results during exams. Try to solve as many earlier question papers as you can, and return home during the timed examination period so that you are as close to actually sitting the exam as possible.

Awareness of Current Affairs
“General Knowledge & Current Affairs” is one of the subjects in Hotel Management entrance exams. A candidate should read the newspapers, watch news programmes, and read the latest GK book for current affairs.

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