Top Journalism and Mass Communication Entrance Exams After 12th in 2027

Choosing the right entrance exam is a confusing task for those who are planning to pursue Journalism and Mass Communication after Class 12. There is no single national exam for students to apply to all journalism colleges in India, unlike engineering or medical education. There are various ways to get into different universities and institutions.

For students planning to appear for the 2027 admission cycle, two national-level entrance exams are directly related to media education for undergraduate courses, namely CUET-UG and GMCET. The CUET-UG is organized by the National Testing Agency for admission to undergraduate courses at participating universities, and the GMCET is a national-level entrance test for undergraduate media courses. Students should know the following points before opting for a journalism entrance exam after 12th.

Top National Level Journalism Entrance Exams after 12th

1. CUET-UG

Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to the undergraduate courses offered by Central Universities and other participating universities in India. This makes CUET-UG one of the most significant national-level entrance pathways for students seeking higher education in the undergraduate level.

CUET-UG is especially significant for students pursuing journalism and mass communication, as Mass Media/Mass Communication is one of the domain subjects in the exam. Mass Media/Mass Communication is included in the domain subjects of CUET-UG 2026 syllabus with code 318.

However, the usefulness of CUET-UG for journalism varies from university to programme. The choice of CUET subjects and eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the participating universities. For instance, the CUET information for the University of Delhi has B.A. (Hons.). Multi-Media and Mass Communication and Five-Year Integrated Programme in Journalism with specific combinations of subjects.

This does not imply that students should just study for CUET and take it for granted that the same combination of subjects will be applicable to all journalism courses. The programme-wise requirements need to be checked before filling the application form.

• Conducting body: National Testing Agency
• Level: Undergraduate
• Mode: Computer-based examination
• Course: Mass Media/Mass Communication
• Subject code: 318
• Use: Admission to participating universities and programmes

Students are advised to wait for the official notification of NTA for the final examination dates, syllabus and programme-wise requirements for 2027.

2. GMCET

The Global Media Common Entrance Test (GMCET) is a national level entrance test, which is specially designed for students who want to get admission in the undergraduate and postgraduate media courses. The official GMCET website states that the exam provides an entry point to programs such as BJMC, BA-JMC, BMC, BMM and BA Journalism (Hons.) and other media-related undergraduate courses along with MJMC & MAJMC.

GMCET is thus of special relevance for students who have already decided that they wish to pursue a career in the media and communication industry after Class 12. The exam evaluates communication skills, analytical thinking and logical reasoning pertinent to media education.

The current GMCET eligibility information mentions that the candidates should have passed out or be appearing in 10+2 or equivalent qualification for undergraduate applicants. The published minimum aggregate is 50% for General category and 45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates. Students are advised to verify the participating institution and individual course requirements prior to applying as requirements may differ.

• Level: Undergraduate
• Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent
• Eligibility: UG/PG media programmes.
• Content: Communication, Analytical and Logical skills
• Admission: Participating institutions

CUET-UG vs GMCET: What is the best Journalism Entrance Exam?

It depends on the place where you want to study. CUET-UG can be beneficial for students who wish to have universities that are part of the CUET system as their options. The subject combination and eligibility for each programme will be determined by the participating universities and students should refer to the subject combination and eligibility requirements for each programme.

GMCET, however, is a media entrance exam and has undergraduate journalism and mass communication courses and institutions under its umbrella. 

So, rather than asking “Which is the best journalism entrance exam?”, students should ask: “What entrance exam will allow me to get into the journalism courses and universities that I want?” This simple adjustment can stop pupils from being ready for a test which does not result in the programme they want.

What to Study for the Journalism Entrance Exam?

Preparation varies according to the exam selected. Students aiming for entrance into the media should build a solid base in current affairs, general awareness, language and communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical thinking.

It's also a good idea to get into the habit of reading newspapers and reputable news outlets on a regular basis. Journalism is more than writing. Students entering the field must be able to understand events, be able to identify important information, question claims, communicate clearly, and distinguish facts from opinions.

For a media aspirant, therefore, entrance preparation can be more useful if it is not limited to mere memorisation of general knowledge. It is important to know what happened, but it is also important to understand why it happened.

Do you need to take an Entrance Exam for Journalism after 12th?

No. In India, there is no compulsory national entrance test for all journalism and mass communication courses. some universities conduct CUET-UG and some others have their own admission process. GMCET is another national level entrance test for the participating undergraduate media programmes.

That is why it is important for students to first narrow down their choices of journalism or mass communication courses and institutions and then find out what entrance exam or admission process is needed for each.

After Class 12, what Courses Can You Pursue?

Journalism and mass communication students can consider undergraduate courses like:

• BA Journalism
• BA Journalism and Mass Communication
• BJMC
• BA Mass Communication
• BA Mass Media
• BA Media and Communication
• Other special media and communication programs

The title of the course may differ from institution to institution. For instance, GMCET offers BJMC, BA-JMC, BMC, BMM and BA Journalism (Hons.) as its programmes.

For the other programmes related to media, CUET-UG can be used as per the participating university. For instance, the University of Delhi has the latest information on Multi-Media and Mass Communication and a Five-Year Integrated Programme in Journalism. 

Journalism Entrance Exam 2027: What Aspirants Must Remember

The biggest mistake students can make is assuming that one entrance examination works for every journalism college in India. 

For the 2027 admission cycle, students should shortlist their preferred courses first, check which universities offer them, and then identify the required entrance examination. CUET-UG and GMCET are two important national-level routes to explore, but the final admission rules depend on the institution and programme.

Students should also check official notifications before applying because 2027 dates, eligibility requirements and participating institutions may change from the current admission cycle. 

A career in journalism today can extend far beyond newspapers and television. Digital journalism, multimedia storytelling, broadcast media, content production, public relations and other communication fields have expanded the range of opportunities available to media graduates. The first decision, however, remains to choose the course you want, identify the institutions offering it, and then prepare for the entrance exam that actually leads there.

This is easier said than done. Thus, GMCET offers free career consultation for students who seek clarity and need unbiased advice. Connect with the GMCET team @08035018499.