State CETs

KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test)

Karnataka Common Entrance Test — KCET is conducted by KEA for admission into government and private engineering colleges in Karnataka. Engineering rank is calculated giving 50% weightage to KCET scores (PCM) and 50% weightage to Class 12 board marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Conducting Body
KEA
Level & Scope
Undergraduate • State
Mode & Duration
Pen & Paper (80 Minutes per Subject Paper)
Exam Timeline
April
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)Dates: Announced

Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.

KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test) (Karnataka Common Entrance Test) Examination Guide
State CETsUndergraduate

Official Overview & Examination Scope

Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact

KCET is conducted by KEA for admission into government and private engineering colleges in Karnataka. Engineering rank is calculated giving 50% weightage to KCET scores (PCM) and 50% weightage to Class 12 board marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications

10+2 with Physics, Mathematics, and English, with minimum 45% aggregate in optional subjects (40% for reserved categories). Karnataka domicile/eligibility clause applies.

Exam Pattern & Test Structure

Total: 180 Marks
Section / PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
Day 1: Mathematics60 Questions60 Marks80 Minutes
Day 2: Physics60 Questions60 Marks80 Minutes
Day 2: Chemistry60 Questions60 Marks80 Minutes
Marking Scheme & Negative Marking:

+1 mark for correct answer, 0 for wrong/unattempted. Total 180 marks across PCM.

Negative Marking Rule: No negative marking

Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy

Master Karnataka PUC 1st and 2nd Year syllabus alongside NCERT.
Aim for 95%+ in Class 12 board theory marks to secure a high combined merit index.
Practice solving 60 questions within 70 minutes (allowing 10 minutes for OMR bubbling).

Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark

RVCE Computer Science under government quota closes within the top 200-400 state ranks. BMSCE and MSRIT CSE close within top 1,500.

Participating Institutes / Career Pathways

RV College of Engineering (RVCE Bengaluru)
BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE)
PES University (RR Campus)
MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT)

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the KCET engineering rank determined?

The rank is computed by taking 50% weightage of KCET test marks (180 marks in PCM) and 50% weightage of Class 12 / 2nd PUC board examination marks in PCM.

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