Top 7 Exams After 12th Commerce for High-Salary Career Options

After 12th commerce, you have many paths to a great career. The right exam can lead to jobs that pay well and bring you happiness. Want to know the best exams after 12th commerce? This guide lists seven exams that open doors to high-salary courses after 12th commerce. Whether you love numbers or want commerce career options without math, there’s something for you. We’ve checked what’s popular online to make this list perfect. Let’s explore exams for high-income jobs for commerce students!

Why Take Exams After 12th Commerce?

Commerce is exciting. It lets you work in finance, law, or business. Passing these exams can get you jobs paying ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh a year to start. Later, you could earn ₹20 lakh or more! You can choose professional courses for commerce students or government exams for commerce students. No matter your goal, these exams help you shine.

1. CA Foundation (Chartered Accountancy)

What Is It? The CA Foundation is the first step to becoming a Chartered Accountant. It’s run by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It’s one of the top finance and accounting careers.

Who Can Apply? Finish 12th with 50% marks. Any stream works.

Exam Details:

• Subjects: Accounting, Business Laws, Math, and Economics.
• Format: 4 papers (2 with long answers, 2 with multiple choice).
• Marks: 400 total
• Time: 3 hours per paper
• When: May/June and Nov/Dec

Jobs You Can Get:

• Roles: Auditor, Tax Expert, Finance Manager.
• Pay: ₹6-10 lakh (new CAs), ₹20-50 lakh (with experience).
• Companies: Big firms like Deloitte or your own business.

How to Study:

• Find the best commerce coaching institute near you or enroll in a CA course online.
• Use ICAI books and practice tests.
• Work hard on Accounting and Math.

Why Pick CA? It’s a top choice for high-paying jobs in commerce. People ask, CA vs CS salary? CAs often earn more in big companies.

2. CS Foundation (Company Secretary)

What Is It? The CS Foundation starts your journey to become a Company Secretary. It’s offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).

Who Can Apply? Pass 12th with 50% marks.

Exam Details:

• Subjects: Business Basics, Management, Economics, and Accounting.
• Format: 4 multiple-choice papers
• Marks: 400 total
• Time: 90 minutes per paper
• When: June and December

Jobs You Can Get:

• Roles: Company Secretary, Legal Helper, Compliance Manager.
• Pay: ₹5-8 lakh (starters), ₹15-30 lakh (later).
• Companies: Tata, Reliance, or banks.

How to Study:

• Try online classes for CS foundation.
• Learn Business Laws well.
• Practice old exam papers.

Why Pick CS? It’s great for career options in the commerce stream without maths. If you wonder, is CS better than CA? CS is easier and focuses on the law.

3. CMA Foundation (Cost and Management Accounting)

What Is It? The CMA Foundation helps you become a Cost Accountant. It’s run by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI).

Who Can Apply? 12th pass with 50% marks.

Exam Details:

• Subjects: Economics, Management, Accounting, and Law.
• Format: 4 papers (some multiple choice, some written)
• Marks: 400 total
• Time: 3 hours per paper
• When: June and December

Jobs You Can Get:

• Roles: Cost Accountant, Budget Planner, Analyst.
• Pay: ₹4-7 lakh (beginners), ₹10-25 lakh (experts).
• Companies: ITC, Aditya Birla, or factories.

How to Study:

• Buy a CMA course online for help.
• Study cost accounting and practice examples.
• Plan your time for long exams.

Why Pick CMA? It’s a job-oriented course for commerce. It’s less crowded than CA but still leads to top-paying commerce fields.

4. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

What Is It? CLAT gets you into top law schools for a 5-year law program with business studies.

Who Can Apply? 12th pass with 45% marks (40% for some groups).

Exam Details:

• Subjects: English, General Knowledge, Legal Thinking, Logic, Math.
• Format: 120 multiple-choice questions.
• Marks: 120 total
• Time: 2 hours
• When: May

Jobs You Can Get:

• Roles: Lawyer, Legal Advisor, Judge.
• Pay: ₹6-12 lakh (new lawyers), ₹25 lakh+ (seniors).
• Companies: Law firms or company legal teams.

How to Study:

• Use the best online coaching for CA after 12th for logic skills.
• Read the news for General Knowledge.
• Practice CLAT mock tests.

Why Pick CLAT? It mixes law and business for commerce career options. It’s great for high-income jobs for commerce students without much math.

5. CUET (Common University Entrance Test)

What Is It? CUET helps you join colleges for courses like BCom or BBA at places like Delhi University.

Who Can Apply? 12th pass. Marks depend on the college.

Exam Details:

• Subjects: Language, Accountancy, Economics, General Test.
• Format: Multiple-choice questions.
• Marks: 750, varies.
• Time: 3-4 hours
• When: May/June

Jobs You Can Get:

• Roles: Banker, Marketer, Analyst.
• Pay: ₹3-6 lakh (starters), ₹10-20 lakh (later).
• Path: Work or study more (like an MBA).

How to Study:

• Use school books for Accountancy.
• Practice General Test questions.
• Check the college score requirements.

Why Pick CUET? It’s flexible for career opportunities after 12th commerce. Want to become a financial analyst after commerce? Start with CUET.

6. IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test)

What Is It? IPMAT gets you into a 5-year BBA+MBA at IIM Indore or Rohtak.

Who Can Apply? 12th pass with 60% marks (55% for some).

Exam Details:

• Subjects: Math Skills, Verbal Skills.
• Format: Multiple choice and short answers
• Marks: 480, varies
• Time: 2 hours
• When: May

Jobs You Can Get:

• Roles: Business Manager, Consultant, Startup Owner.
• Pay: ₹8-12 lakh (beginners), ₹25-50 lakh (seniors).
• Companies: Amazon, McKinsey, or your own business.

How to Study:

• Review 12th math
• Read books for Verbal Skills
• Try old IPMAT tests

Why Pick IPMAT? It’s a fast way to top schools for the best exams after 12th commerce. It leads to top-paying commerce fields.

7. SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level)

What Is It? SSC CGL is for government jobs. You need a degree, but commerce students can start preparing early.

Who Can Apply? Graduates (start prep after 12th)

Exam Details:

• Parts: 4 levels (multiple choice, written, skills)
• Subjects: Reasoning, Math, English, General Knowledge.
• Time: Varies
• When: Yearly

Jobs You Can Get:

• Roles: Tax Officer, Auditor, Office Assistant.
• Pay: ₹4-7 lakh (entry), ₹10-15 lakh (later).
• Employer: Government offices

How to Study:

• Begin Math and Reasoning now.
• Use apps like Gradeup.
• Study Statistics for some jobs.

Why Pick SSC CGL? It’s great for top-salary government jobs after commerce. Early prep helps you win.

Challenges and Tips

• Problem: Too many people take these exams (which exam is best for commerce students after 12th?).
  • Fix: Try CMA or CS—they’re less crowded. Use a commerce job consultancy for advice.
• Problem: Not enough study time.
  • Fix: Plan for 6 months. Join the best online coaching for CA after 12th.
• Problem: Choosing CA, CS, or CMA (is CS better than CA?).
  • Fix: CA for money, CS for law, CMA for costs. Check CA vs CS salary online.

How to Get Ready

1. Know the Exam: Check the ICAI or ICSI websites for details.
2. Use Good Books:
   • Accounting by DK Goel (CA).
   • Business Laws by ND Kapoor (CS).
   • Buy courses like enrolling in a CA course online or buy a CMA course.
3. Practice Tests: Use Testbook for mocks.
4. Study Time: Spend 4-6 hours daily.
5. Help: Find the best commerce coaching institute near me or online classes for CS foundation.

How Much Can You Earn?

• Starters: ₹3-12 lakh (CA pays most, SSC CGL less but safe)
• Mid-Level: ₹10-25 lakh (lawyers, managers)
• Experts: ₹25-50 lakh+ (top CAs, IIM grads).
• Top-paying commerce fields: Banking, consulting, CA.

Conclusion

The top 7 exams after 12th commerce—CA, CS, CMA, CLAT, CUET, IPMAT, and SSC CGL—lead to high-paying jobs in commerce. Want to be a CA or a lawyer? These exams are your start. Each offers something special: CA for big money, CS for company work, and IPMAT for fast-track MBAs. Study hard with tools like the best online coaching for CA after 12th. You can build a career that’s fun and pays well. Start now, pick your exam, and go for it! For extra help, try Skoodos Bridge to boost your prep and land your dream job.

FAQs

Q1. Which exam is best after 12th commerce?
Ans. It depends on you. CA Foundation is great if you love numbers and want ₹6-10 lakh to start. The CS Foundation is good for law and pays ₹5-8 lakh. IPMAT gets you into IIMs for ₹8-12 lakh jobs. Think about what you enjoy and pick one.

Q2. What are high-paying jobs in commerce?
Ans. You can be a Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Lawyer, or Business Manager. These jobs pay ₹5-12 lakh when you start. With time, you could earn ₹50 lakh or more. CA, CS, and IPMAT exams lead to these roles.

Q3. Can I get a government job after 12th commerce?
Ans. Not many jobs right after the 12th. But SSC CGL (after a degree) gets you roles like Tax Officer, paying ₹4-7 lakh to start. Study Math and English now to be ready for it later.

Q4. How to become a CA after 12th?
Ans. Sign up with ICAI after 12th (50% marks). Pass CA Foundation (4 papers, twice a year). Then, do the Intermediate and Final exams. Work as a trainee for 3 years. It takes 4-5 years total. You’ll earn ₹6-10 lakh as a new CA.

Q5. Which course is best for commerce students?
Ans. CA is awesome for high pay. CS and CMA are great, too. If you want college first, try CUET for BCom. IPMAT is perfect for business lovers. Pick based on whether you like math or not—CS works for commerce without maths career options.

Q6. Is CS better than CA?
Ans. CA pays more (₹6-10 lakh vs ₹5-8 lakh) and is known worldwide. But it’s hard and needs math. CS is simpler, focuses on law, and fits career options in the commerce stream without maths. Both are good—choose whichever you like.

Q7. What to do after 12th commerce for a high salary?
Ans. Take exams like CA, CS, or IPMAT for high-salary courses after 12th commerce. Study with the best commerce coaching institute near me. Or get a BCom via CUET and try SSC CGL for government jobs later.