Exam prep·India· 6 min read

KCET Exam Guide (Karnataka)

How KCET works — the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), the OMR-based format, the PCM route to engineering in Karnataka, the PUC syllabus base, and KEA counselling.

Key facts

Conducting body: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Used for: Engineering & other professional UG courses in Karnataka
Engineering group: PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
Mode: Offline — pen-and-paper (OMR)
Based on: Karnataka PUC Class 11 & 12 syllabus
Official site: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in

What KCET is

KCET (the Karnataka Common Entrance Test) is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to first-year undergraduate professional courses in Karnataka — including engineering, and courses such as agriculture and pharmacy. For engineering, candidates take the Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics papers.

Admission is to government, aided and private (government-quota) seats in the state.

Who can apply

Candidates who have passed, or are appearing in, Class 12 (PUC II) with the required subjects can apply. Karnataka domicile and reservation rules for state seats are set by KEA, so confirm the exact eligibility for your course on the official site each year.

Passed or appearing in Class 12 (PUC II) with required subjects
PCM papers for engineering admission
Karnataka domicile and eligibility rules set by KEA
Confirm current eligibility on the official site

Exam pattern and syllabus

KCET is a pen-and-paper, OMR-based test. The syllabus is based on the Karnataka PUC (Class 11 and Class 12) curriculum for the relevant subjects. The number of questions, marks, duration and marking scheme are published by KEA each year — confirm the current pattern before you prepare.

Admission and counselling

A KCET rank is used in the KEA online counselling, where seats are allotted based on rank, preferences, category and seat availability. For some courses, KEA also factors in qualifying-examination marks as defined in its rules. The counselling rules and schedule are released by KEA each cycle.

Where to confirm the rules

The official KEA website is the authoritative source for eligibility, pattern, syllabus, counselling and dates. Use this guide as an overview and verify every specific on the official site.

Frequently asked questions

Is KCET online or offline?

KCET is conducted in offline, pen-and-paper (OMR) mode. Confirm the current format in the official KEA brochure, as exam authorities can revise it.

What courses can I get through KCET?

KCET is used for admission to engineering and several other professional courses in Karnataka, such as agriculture and pharmacy. Architecture admission typically also requires NATA — check the KEA rules for each course.

Does KCET consider my board marks?

For some courses, KEA factors in qualifying-examination marks alongside the KCET score, as defined in the official rules. Check the current weightage for your course on the KEA site.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) — official site.

Last verified: 2026-06-06.