Duration
80 mins per paper
KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test) is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to engineering, pharmacy, agriculture and allied professional courses in Karnataka. Over 2 lakh candidates appear each year. For engineering, the final rank weights the KCET score and Class 12 marks equally (50:50), and seats are allotted through KEA's centralised online counselling.
Mode: Pen & paper (OMR)
Duration: 80 minutes per subject paper
Total Marks: 180
Marking Scheme: +1 for a correct answer; no negative marking
Sections Mathematics
60 Questions • 60 Marks
Physics
60 Questions • 60 Marks
Chemistry
60 Questions • 60 Marks
Physics Mechanics & Laws of Motion Heat, Thermodynamics & Kinetic Theory Oscillations, Waves & Optics Electrostatics & Current Electricity Magnetism & Electromagnetic Induction Modern Physics & Semiconductor Electronics Chemistry Physical Chemistry - Mole Concept, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium Inorganic Chemistry - Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, p- & d-block Organic Chemistry - Hydrocarbons, Functional Groups, Biomolecules & Polymers Mathematics Algebra, Complex Numbers & Matrices Trigonometry & Vectors Coordinate & 3D Geometry Calculus - Limits, Continuity, Derivatives, Integrals Probability, Statistics & Permutations Passed/appearing Class 12 with Physics & Mathematics as compulsory subjects plus Chemistry/Biology/Electronics/Computer Science Minimum 45% aggregate in the optional subjects (40% for reserved categories of Karnataka) Karnataka domicile required for state-quota seats Registration opens
February 2027
Last date to apply
March 2027
Admit card release
Before the exam
Result declaration
May 2027
Register on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in with a valid email ID and mobile number Fill in personal, academic and course-preference details Upload a scanned photograph and signature Pay the application fee online Download the admit card when it is released 💡 Preparation Tips Master NCERT Class 11 & 12 Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics Solve previous years' question papers to learn the pattern Take full-length timed mock tests for speed and accuracy Revise formulae and weak chapters regularly before the exam 114 colleges accept this exam across 1 state. Tap a college to view full details, placement data, and shortlist.
Karnataka 114 Show 106 more in Karnataka → ❓ FAQs Is there negative marking?
No. KCET has no negative marking, so attempt every question.
How is the engineering rank decided?
By a 50:50 weightage of your KCET marks and your Class 12 Physics/Chemistry/Maths marks.
Do I need a Karnataka domicile?
Domicile is required for state-quota seats; a limited share of seats is open to other-state candidates.