Karnataka Common Entrance Test — PCM Group (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)

Key facts

Conducting body

Karnataka Examinations Authority

Eligible class

Class-12

Exam level

State

Exam areas

Agriculture, Engineering, Pharmacy, Veterinary

Typical exam month

April. (For the KCET 2026 cycle, the examination was conducted on April 23 and 24, 2026, with the Kannada Language Test held on April 22, 2026).

Academic year

2026-2027

Primary goal

State-level offline entrance examination conducted for admissions into undergraduate Professional Courses in Engineering & Technology (B.E./B.Tech) across government, university-managed, private aided, and private unaided institutions in the state of Karnataka.

Syllabus subjects

Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics

Exam structure

Exam Structure Details: Mode of Exam: Offline, pen-and-paper based using Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheets. Question Type: Objective Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) only. Duration: 80 minutes per subject paper (totaling 240 minutes for the PCM papers). The first 10 minutes of each session are dedicated to writing/shading candidate particulars, with 70 minutes allotted for actual question-solving. Total Questions: 180 questions (60 questions per subject paper). Maximum Marks: 180 marks (60 marks per subject paper). Session Schedule: The exam is held in individual sessions over two consecutive days: Day 1, Session 1: Mathematics (60 Questions, 60 Marks, 80 Minutes). Day 2, Session 1: Physics (60 Questions, 60 Marks, 80 Minutes). Day 2, Session 2: Chemistry (60 Questions, 60 Marks, 80 Minutes). Negative Marking: None. Candidates are awarded +1 mark for each correct answer, and 0 marks for incorrect or unanswered questions. Language Medium: Dual-medium in English and Kannada. Kannada Language Test: Mandatory for Gadinadu and Horanadu Kannadiga candidates claiming reservation/eligibility. It is a qualifying test conducted at a 4th-standard level, carrying 50 marks with a minimum qualifying threshold of 12 marks (24%). Exam Sections: Mathematics: Syllabus Subject: Mathematics Max Marks: 60 Questions Presented: 60 Questions to Attempt: 60 Physics: Syllabus Subject: Physics Max Marks: 60 Questions Presented: 60 Questions to Attempt: 60 Chemistry: Syllabus Subject: Chemistry Max Marks: 60 Questions Presented: 60 Questions to Attempt: 60 --