KCET at a glance
The Karnataka Common Entrance Test is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to engineering, technology, pharmacy, agriculture, veterinary, B.Sc Nursing and other professional courses in Karnataka. Medical and dental seats go by NEET, but KEA runs their counselling too.
Exam pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 60 | 60 | 80 min |
| Chemistry | 60 | 60 | 80 min |
| Mathematics | 60 | 60 | 80 min |
| Biology | 60 | 60 | 80 min |
Each subject is a separate paper, held over two days. You take the subjects your course needs: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for engineering; Physics, Chemistry and Biology for courses such as agriculture and veterinary science.
Marking scheme
- +1 Correct answer
- 0 Wrong answer: no negative marking
- 0 Question left unanswered
With no negative marking, a guess can only help: answer every question, eliminating options first where you can.
Who can take it
- Qualification: Second PUC or Class 12 (or appearing) with the subjects your course needs, such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for engineering.
- Marks: For engineering, usually at least 45% in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics together (40% for SC, ST and Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA and IIIB candidates of Karnataka).
- Karnataka seats: Government-quota seats need you to meet the Karnataka eligibility clauses, for example years of study in the state.
How the rank is worked out
- Engineering: Half from your KCET marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, and half from your Class 12 marks in the same subjects.
- Other courses: Each course has its own combination of subjects, for example Physics, Chemistry and Biology for agriculture and veterinary science.
So your board marks count as much as the entrance test: practise for both.
The usual year
- January – FebruaryKEA publishes the information bulletin and the online application opens.
- March – AprilAdmit cards, then the exam over two days.
- May – JuneProvisional answer keys, then the results and ranks.
- June onwardsDocument verification and KEA counselling (option entry, seat allotment rounds).
Dates change from year to year. Always go by the latest notice on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
After the result
- Counselling: KEA allots government-quota seats in Karnataka colleges by rank, through online option entry and several rounds.
- Courses: Engineering and technology, B.Pharm and Pharm.D, agriculture and allied sciences, veterinary science, B.Sc Nursing and allied health, among others.
- Medical and dental: MBBS and BDS seats are filled by NEET rank, with counselling by KEA.
Syllabus
First and Second PUC syllabus of Karnataka, as notified by KEAPhysics
Units and measurement, kinematics, laws of motion, work and energy, rotational motion, gravitation, properties of matter, thermodynamics, oscillations and waves, electrostatics, current electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic induction and AC, optics, dual nature of matter, atoms and nuclei, semiconductors.
Chemistry
Physical chemistry (mole concept, atomic structure, bonding, thermodynamics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, kinetics, solutions), inorganic chemistry (periodic table, p-, d- and f-block elements, coordination compounds) and organic chemistry (basic principles, hydrocarbons, compounds with functional groups, biomolecules).
Mathematics
Sets, relations and functions, trigonometry, complex numbers, sequences and series, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, matrices and determinants, limits, continuity and differentiation, integrals and differential equations, coordinate geometry, vectors and 3D geometry, linear programming, probability.
Biology
Diversity of the living world, structural organisation, cell structure and function, plant physiology, human physiology, reproduction, genetics and evolution, biology and human welfare, biotechnology, ecology and environment.
This page is a summary to help you plan. MCQIndia is not connected with the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). The official information bulletin for your year has the final word on the pattern, eligibility and dates.