Features

Details

Exam Name

Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET)

Conducted By

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)

Purpose

To get admission in undergraduate professional courses in Karnataka, including:

✔ Engineering (B.E./B.Tech)
✔ Pharmacy (B.Pharm, D.Pharm)
✔ Agriculture (B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, etc.)
✔ Veterinary Science (B.VSc & AH)
✔ Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Fisheries Science

Exam Sessions

KCET is conducted once a year, typically in April-May.

Application Mode

Online only

Steps of Application

• Register on the official website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
• Fill Application Form with personal, academic, and exam centre details.
• Upload Documents (photo, signature, thumb impression).
• Pay Fee online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
• Submit & Print Confirmation for future reference.

Application Fees

1. Karnataka Candidates:

• General/OBC: ₹500
• SC/ST/Cat-1: ₹250
• Female Candidates: ₹250

2. Outside Karnataka Candidates: ₹750

3. Outside India (Foreign Candidates): ₹5,000

Payment Mode

Online Payment Only via:

• Credit Card/Debit Card (Visa/MasterCard/RuPay)
• Net Banking (All major banks)
• UPI Payment

Fees are non-refundable and subject to change each year.

Eligibility Criteria

1. General Eligibility:

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 (PUC or equivalent) from a recognized board.
• Must be a Karnataka domicile or meet specific eligibility clauses (like Kannada medium students, Horanadu/Gadinadu Kannadigas, etc.).

2. Course-Specific Eligibility:

🔹Engineering (B.E./B.Tech)

• Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English in 10+2.
• Marks: At least 45% (40% for SC/ST/OBC) in PCM.

🔹 Pharmacy (B.Pharm/D.Pharm)

• Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics in 10+2.
• Marks: B.Pharm: 45% in PCB/PCM (40% for SC/ST/OBC).

🔹 Agriculture, Veterinary, & Allied Courses

• Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English in 10+2.
• Additional Requirement: Biology is mandatory.

Note: Candidates appearing for Class 12th exams can also apply.

Mode of Exam

Offline (Pen-and-Paper Based)

Candidates must answer on an OMR sheet using a black or blue ballpoint pen.

Medium of Exam

English and Kannada

Duration of Exam

The KCET exam duration is 80 minutes per subject.

Subject-wise Duration:

• Physics – 80 minutes
• Chemistry – 80 minutes
• Mathematics/Biology – 80 minutes
• Kannada Language Test (if applicable) – 60 minutes

The exam is conducted over two days in multiple sessions.

Types of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Papers

The KCET exam consists of four papers based on the selected course:

• Mathematics (For Engineering & Architecture aspirants)
• Biology (For Medical, Agriculture, and Pharmacy courses)
• Physics (Common for all courses)
• Chemistry (Common for all courses)

Kannada Language Test (Only for Horanadu & Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates)

Each subject paper is 80 minutes long, with 60 MCQs per paper.

Exam Pattern

Total Marks: 180
Subjects & Marks Distribution:

• Physics – 60 Questions (60 Marks)
• Chemistry – 60 Questions (60 Marks)
• Mathematics/Biology – 60 Questions (60 Marks)

The exam is based on the PUC (Class 11 & 12) syllabus of the Karnataka State Board.

Syllabus

KCET follows the Karnataka PUC (Class 11 & 12) syllabus prescribed by the Department of Pre-University Education, Karnataka.

Subject-wise Syllabus:

1. Physics:

• Class 11: Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work & Energy, Thermodynamics, Gravitation, Waves, etc.
• Class 12: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, etc.

2. Chemistry:

• Class 11: Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Hydrocarbons, etc.
• Class 12: Electrochemistry, Coordination Compounds, Biomolecules, Polymers, Organic Chemistry, etc.

3. Mathematics:

• Class 11: Sets & Functions, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Probability, etc.
• Class 12: Matrices, Determinants, Integration, Differential Equations, 3D Geometry, etc.

4. Biology:

• Class 11: Diversity of Life, Cell Structure, Plant & Animal Physiology, Ecology, etc.
• Class 12: Genetics, Evolution, Biotechnology, Human Welfare, etc.

Marking Scheme

• (+1) mark for each correct answer
• No negative marking

Preparation Tips

• Know the Syllabus: Focus on PUC (Class 11 & 12) topics from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology. Stick to NCERT & Karnataka PUC textbooks.
• Make a Study Plan: Allocate time for each subject, set daily/weekly goals, and revise regularly.
• Practice Previous Papers: Solve KCET past year papers & mock tests to understand the exam pattern and improve speed.
• Time Management: Use timed practice tests to improve accuracy and speed during the exam.
• Focus on Important Topics: Give extra attention to high-weightage chapters in each subject.
• Take Notes & Revise: Summarize key concepts, formulas, and shortcuts in handwritten notes for quick revision.
• Stay Healthy & Confident: Maintain a balanced routine with proper sleep, food, and breaks. Stay positive and believe in yourself.

Helpline numbers

• Primary Helpline:
• 080-23460460 (Available from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
• Additional Numbers:
• 080-23564583
• 080-23461575
• 080-23461576
• 080-23568201
• 080-23568202
• 080-23462599
• 080-23462758

Email address

keauthority-ka@nic.in

Official Website

https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea