KCET — Dates, Pattern & Syllabus | College4Sure
Exams Engineering KCET

KCET Karnataka Common Entrance Test

Engineering · UG · KARNATAKA

Held 23 – 24 Apr 2026
Offline Difficulty: Moderate UG
24 Feb 2026 Applications close
23 – 24 Apr 2026 Exam date
May 2026 (tentative) Result
Offline Mode

Overview

KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test) is an entry-level examination administered by the Government of Karnataka for those interested in pursuing their degree(s) after graduating from high school through the KCET. The KCET measures a student’s proficiency in key subject areas and allows colleges/universities to evaluate how well-prepared they are to enter a specific degree program offered within their institutions throughout the State of Karnataka.
EngineeringCategory
UGLevel
OfflineMode
ModerateDifficulty
KARNATAKARegion

Eligibility

KCET is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority for admission to professional degree programmes in the state.

  • Qualifying exam: class 12 with Physics and Mathematics compulsory, and one of Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Electronics or Computer Science.
  • Marks: at least 45% in the relevant subjects taken together, with 40% for reserved-category candidates of Karnataka.
  • Candidature: eligibility for the state quota is decided by the clauses the KEA publishes — where you studied, and for how long, counts as much as where you live.

Exam Pattern

Exam Name KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test)
Exam Mode Offline (Pen-and-paper)
Exam Duration 80 minutes per subject paper
Number of Sections 3
Sectional Time Limit 80 minutes for each subject paper
Total Questions 60 per subject paper
Number of Questions Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking Scheme +1 mark for each correct answer, No negative marking
Language of Exam English & Kannada
Total Marks 180 marks (Engineering) 120 marks (Medical/Agriculture – PCB only)

Syllabus

Physics

33.33%

Physical World & Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work Energy Power, Motion of System of Particles, Gravitation, Properties of Matter, Thermodynamics, Oscillations & Waves, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects, Electromagnetic Induction, Optics, Dual Nature of Radiation, Atoms & Nuclei, Electronic Devices

Chemistry

33.33%

Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Hydrogen, s-Block, p-Block, Organic Chemistry Basics, Hydrocarbons, Environmental Chemistry, Solid State, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, Polymers, Biomolecules

Mathematics

33.33%

Sets, Relations & Functions, Trigonometry, Complex Numbers, Matrices & Determinants, Permutations & Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Sequences & Series, Limits & Continuity, Differentiation, Integration, Differential Equations, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability, Linear Programming

Kannada Language

Qualifying only (0% in ranking)

Grammar, Comprehension, Vocabulary, Sentence Formation

How to Apply

The application is an online form on the Karnataka Examinations Authority website. Everything below is done in one sitting or saved and returned to; nothing is done on paper.

1

Register

Create an account on the Karnataka Examinations Authority website with an email address and mobile number you will still have months from now -- every notice, the admit card and the result reach you there. A registration number is issued; keep it.

2

Fill the form

Personal details, academic record from class 10 onwards, category, and work experience where it applies. The academic figures must match your marksheets exactly, because they are verified later against the originals.

3

Choose test cities

Cities are given in order of preference and allotted on availability, so the first choice is not guaranteed. Pick somewhere you can reach the morning of the exam without an overnight journey.

4

Upload photograph and signature

Both have to meet the format, size and background stated in the notification. A rejected upload is the most common reason a form is left incomplete past the deadline.

5

Pay the fee

Online, through the official portal only. The amount is set afresh in each year’s notification and is lower for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Keep the payment receipt.

6

Submit, then check

Print the completed form. A correction window usually opens afterwards -- it is limited, and it rarely covers every field, so it is a repair, not a second chance.

Apply only through the official portal. No agent can register you, and nobody can change a score once it is declared.

Important Dates

Official Notification Release 2 January 2026
Registration Opens 17 January 2026
Registration Last Date Tentative- February 2026
Application Correction Window Tentative- March 2026
Admit Card Release Tentative- April 2026
Exam Date Main day 23 & 24 April 2026
Answer Key Release Tentative- April 2026
Results Declaration Tentative- May 2026

Selection Process

  • Papers are held in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, and a candidate sits the ones their programme requires.
  • There is no negative marking.
  • The rank is computed on the rule the KEA publishes for that year, which combines CET performance with the qualifying examination marks. Read the current brochure rather than an older one — this rule has been changed before.
  • Seats are allotted through the KEA’s online counselling in successive rounds against that rank.

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