Understand the exam
Exam overview
Karnataka admission examination for specified professional undergraduate courses.
KCET
Admission
Undergraduate
State
Karnataka Common Entrance Test
Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.
Karnataka admission examination for specified professional undergraduate courses.
Who can appear
Eligibility to appear
Class 12
Program-specific Class 12 subjects, commonly PCM for engineering and PCB/PCM combinations for other professional programs. Karnataka eligibility includes course, qualifying marks and applicable domicile/category clauses. Follow the current KEA bulletin.
Eligibility to appear is not the same as eligibility to be admitted. Individual institutions add their own criteria on top of the exam's rules.
Overview
What this exam is
The Karnataka common entrance test for admission to government and aided seats in the state's professional courses - engineering, agriculture, pharmacy, veterinary and others - with allocation through state counselling.
Subjects
What the paper tests
Physics, chemistry and mathematics or biology depending on the course, following the Karnataka state syllabus. Ranking combines the test score with qualifying examination marks, which is unusual and makes board performance directly consequential.
PreparationPlan
How to prepare
Because board marks feed into the rank, treat your Class 12 examinations as part of the entrance preparation rather than as a separate obligation. The paper itself is board-standard and rewards accuracy. Domicile and category rules materially determine which seats you can access, so read the current bulletin on eligibility before assuming a college is reachable.
AdmissionProcess
Who can take it, and how it runs
Who can appear. 12th with relevant subjects and Karnataka domicile.
How often. Once a year.
Format. Pen and paper.
Conducted by. Karnataka Examinations Authority.
Dates, eligibility and the paper pattern change from year to year. Check the current official notification before you plan around any of this.
Where the score is used
Courses connected to this exam
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do my Class 12 marks affect my rank?
Yes. Ranking combines the entrance score with qualifying examination marks, which is unusual and means board performance is part of the entrance preparation rather than separate from it.
Which courses does KCET cover?
Engineering, agriculture, pharmacy, veterinary and other professional courses at government and aided seats. The subject paper you take depends on which course group you are applying for.
How much does domicile matter?
It determines which seats you are eligible for, and the rules are more specific than families often assume - including where you studied and for how long. Confirm your status against the current bulletin early.
Is the paper difficult?
It is board standard and follows the Karnataka syllabus closely. Accuracy under time pressure separates candidates rather than conceptual difficulty.
What is Karnataka Common Entrance Test used for?
Engineering, Agriculture, Pharmacy and allied admission in Karnataka.
Who is eligible to appear for Karnataka Common Entrance Test?
12th with relevant subjects and Karnataka domicile. Confirm this against the current official notification, because eligibility rules are revised between sessions.
How often is Karnataka Common Entrance Test held, and in what format?
Once a year. Pen and paper.
Who conducts Karnataka Common Entrance Test?
Karnataka Examinations Authority.