Engineering as a course of study is a favourite of students because it gives them myriad career options to choose from, examples are, Administrative Services, Business Management, Information Technology, Nuclear Power, Space Technology, Research and Development, etc.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) conduct the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and the States organise State Engineering Admission Tests (SEAT). The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) from the admission year 2002 will conduct another engineering entrance examination - All-India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE).

AIEEE is for admission to the engineering courses offered by Deemed Universities, Central Institutions other than those covered by the IIT-JEE as well as by other Institutions in States/Union Territories, falling under the AIEEE scheme. Apart from this, admission for both the free and payment seats meant for students from other States in State-level Institutions will also be from the merit list of AIEEE, the syllabus for which will be drawn from the syllabi of different State Board Examinations.

• A pass in the final examination of the 10+2 system or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as three subjects

• Students appearing for the qualifying exam in the year of admission can also appear in the tests

• Students may also refer to the announcement of the specific Institution or Testing Authority, since eligibility as well as other criteria such as age, domicile, etc., may vary from Test to Test and State to State 

 
The syllabus of the three subjects, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for all these Entrance Tests is more or less common except that some additional topics may be specified for specific Tests.