NCHMCT JEE vs CUET: Which Exam is Better for BHM Admission?

Before choosing between the two exams iNCHMCT JEE vs CUET you must analyse what works out according to your future aspirations, skills, situation and your desired college. You can check out this article to make an informed decision about which exam works best for you.

Table of Contents

CUET vs NCHMCT JEE - Strengths & Things to Watch
BHM Admission Exams - Which one to pick?
Faqs

NCHMCT JEE vs CUET: Which Exam is Better for BHM Admission

Before opting for a career in Hotel Management or other related hospitality courses you must carefully consider which entrance exam is appropriate for you. Two of the prominent entrance exams i.e. National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination (NCHMCT JEE) and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) are considered to be the gateway for top-notch hotel management and hospitality institutes. The NCHMCT JEE exam is conducted every year by the NTA for admission to B.Sc. (Hospitality and Hotel Administration) programs at various IHMs in the country. On the other hand, CUET is also conducted by the National Testing Agency, but it is a more broad exam that aids in admission to various undergraduate courses in colleges and universities in India. You can check this article to know more about CUET vs NCHMCT JEE and which is best suited for you.

Also Read: List of Hotel Management Entrance Exams 2026

CUET vs NCHMCT JEE - Strengths & Things to Watch

You can go through the below table very carefully to have a distinct idea between the two major exams.

Feature	NCHMCT JEE	CUET-UG (for BHM/hospitality)
Specialisation for hospitality	High — the exam is directly built for hotel/hospitality admission.	Lower — it's a general entrance test for many programmes; you’ll still need to check if the specific BHM programme uses CUET & what additional rounds the university demands.
Eligibility / target institutes	More specialised: for institutes affiliated with NCHMCT (hotel institutes) across India.	Broad: offers more flexibility since many universities use CUET for UG admission across fields including hospitality.
Exam content	Tailored: service sector aptitude + hospitality-relevant parts (e.g., Aptitude for Service Sector) besides usual sections.	More generic: you may face sections based on general aptitude, subject combinations, languages; not specifically hospitality-aptitude unless university adds extra rounds.
Competition / seats / clarity	Because it is focused, you know you’re competing for hotel/hospitality seats; seat matrix and counselling process are known.	Because it covers many programmes, the competition may vary a lot; you’ll need to check specific colleges’ cut-offs for BHM/hospitality.
Flexibility	Less flexible in terms of switching to non-hotel programmes (unless the institute allows).	More flexible: if you take CUET and don’t get BHM, you might still use your score for other UG programmes the university offers.
Preparation fit (for you personally)	If you’re clearly fixed on Hospitality / Hotel Management, this exam is very relevant & tailored.	If you are not completely fixed or want multiple backup options (hotel + maybe business/management), this might offer more options.
Risk / backup	If you focus only on NCHMCT JEE and don’t do well, fewer backup options unless you apply separately for other programmes.	With CUET you might have better backup options overall.
Admission process complexity	The process is fairly standard for hotel institutes: exam → counselling → seat allotment.	The process may have variations by university: entrance test + interviews + skill assessments (especially for hospitality) even after CUET. For example, for Christ University BHM, they have micro-presentation, interview etc.

Also Read: Best Hospitality & Hotel Management Online Courses

BHM Admission Exams - Which one to pick?

Before making any decision make sure to keep the following points in mind.

Particulars	Details
What is your target college (or list of colleges)?	If your dream college is one of the NCHMCT-affiliated Institutes (like the premier hotel management institutes) then NCHMCT JEE is very important. If you’re considering university-based BHM programmes (especially those that use CUET), then CUET is relevant. Check: does the college accept NCHMCT only, or CUET, or both?
Do you want to keep options open?	If you want to keep the option of doing hotel management and maybe doing other UG programmes (management, business, general UG) then CUET gives more flexibility. If you are fully committed to hotel/hospitality and want the best hotel-specific institute, you might prefer focusing on NCHMCT JEE.
How comfortable are you with the exam pattern and preparation?	For NCHMCT JEE: you’ll need to prepare for service-sector aptitude, reasoning, GK & current affairs, etc. Good fit if you like those. For CUET: you may need to manage subjects/languages that your university demands; the pattern is more general.
What’s your backup plan?	If you only do NCHMCT JEE and don’t qualify as you hoped, what will you do? If you also prepare CUET (or pick colleges that accept CUET) you might have more fallback options.
Consider cost, time, logistics	It might be practical to apply for and prepare for both exams, if you have time and resources — that way you maximise your chances. But make sure you don’t spread yourself too thin and compromise performance.

For queries related to both the exams, i.e. NCHMCT JEE and CUET drop them at our QnA zone . You can also gain extensive knowledge about both the exams by filling our Common Application Form . To talk one on one over phone with our experts call us on our toll free number 1800-572-9877.

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FAQs

Which exam offers better career prospects in hospitality?

NCHMCT JEE provides direct entry into IHMs, which are premier institutions for hospitality education in India, offering excellent placement and internship opportunities. CUET (UG) offers more flexibility but may not guarantee the same industry exposure.

Which exam is easier to crack — NCHMCT JEE or CUET?

Generally, CUET (UG) is considered easier since it covers general subjects like English, General Test, and domain-specific papers, while NCHMCT JEE includes a dedicated Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude section that requires more focused preparation.

Which universities accept CUET (UG) scores for BHM admission?

CUET (UG) scores are accepted by universities such as Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jamia Millia Islamia, and other participating central and state universities that offer BHM or hospitality-related programs.

Which universities or colleges accept NCHMCT JEE scores?

NCHMCT JEE scores are accepted by all IHMs (Central, State, and Private) affiliated with the National Council for Hotel Management, including top institutes like IHM Delhi, IHM Mumbai, and IHM Kolkata.

Which exam is specifically designed for hotel management courses?

The NCHMCT JEE is exclusively designed for hospitality and hotel management programs, whereas CUET (UG) covers multiple disciplines.

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-ashis dasUpdated on November 19, 2025 11:01 AM

2 Answers

P sidhu, Student / Alumni

Dear Ashis ,LPU is best for practical courses like BA in Culinary Arts. The class timings for such programs usually follow the regular university schedule, which often ranges between morning and afternoon slots, depending on the section allotted to you. Exact timings vary and are shared with students through the LPU Touch app once admission is confirmed. The session for new batches generally begins around July or August each year. For the most accurate update, you can check your admission portal or contact the LPU admissions team directly.

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P sidhu, Student / Alumni

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P sidhu, Student / Alumni

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