Science (PCM)JEE Main

MPC → BSc (Computer Science) → MCA → Software Engineer

MPC students who did not crack JEE but want a software career can take the B.Sc (Computer Science) route followed by MCA from NITs via NIMCET. This path produces competent software engineers at a lower cost of entry than B.Tech — B.Sc CS + MCA from a good NIT places students at par with B.Tech graduates in most software companies. Students who are willing to supplement their degree with strong coding skills and projects can compete for the same jobs.

Duration after Class 10: 7 years

Qualification path

  1. 1

    Class 11-12 MPC

    2 yrs

  2. 2

    BSc Computer Science / BSc IT (3 years)

    3 yrs

    Entry exam: Merit-based or state entrance — very accessible

  3. 3

    MCA — Master of Computer Applications (2 years)

    2 yrs

    MCA graduates enter same job market as B.Tech CSE graduates

  4. 4

    Software Engineer job via campus or direct applications

    0 yrs

Key exams

Free
JEE MainNational

Joint Entrance Examination — Main

After: 12th / Inter

Difficulty: Very High

Unlocks: NIT, IIIT

CUET UGcompetitive_written

Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate)

After: 12

Difficulty: moderate

Unlocks: Central University admissions for UG programmes across all streams

State University Entrancecompetitive_written

State University BSc/BA Entrance Exam

After: 12

Difficulty: easy

Unlocks: Various state university entrance tests for general UG programmes (BA/BSc/BCom)

CUET PGcompetitive_written

Common University Entrance Test — Postgraduate

After: After graduation

Difficulty: moderate

Unlocks: PG admissions (MA/MSc/MCom) at Central Universities

NIMCETcompetitive_written

NIT MCA Common Entrance Test

After: After BCA/BSc (Maths/CS)

Difficulty: high

Unlocks: MCA admissions at NITs — Master of Computer Applications

Competition reality

Salary ranges