KCET 2026 Exam Pattern; Subjects, Total Marks, Marking Scheme, Duration
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts Karnataka Common Entrance Test for admission to engineering, pharmacy, agriculture and other professional courses in Karnataka. KCET 2026 was held on 23 and 24 April 2026, with a Kannada language test on 22 April 2026. Candidates appeared in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology. Each subject paper had 60 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each, a duration of 80 minutes and no negative marking.
KCET Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
KEA held the main papers over two days, with two papers on each day. Exam details are published on its official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Exam Dates | 23 and 24 April 2026 (Kannada language test on 22 April 2026) |
| Courses | Engineering, pharmacy, agriculture and other professional courses |
| Exam Mode | Offline (pen and paper, OMR sheet) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology |
| Question Type | Multiple choice questions with four options and one correct answer |
| Questions per Subject | 60 |
| Total Questions | 180 (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology) |
| Marks per Question | 1 |
| Total Marks | 180 |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Duration | 80 minutes per subject paper |
| Medium of Question Paper | English and Kannada |
KCET 2026 Subject-Wise Question and Marks Distribution
All subject papers are of the same size, so each subject carries equal weight in the total.
| Subject | Questions | Marks per Question | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 60 | 1 | 60 | 80 minutes |
| Chemistry | 60 | 1 | 60 | 80 minutes |
| Mathematics | 60 | 1 | 60 | 80 minutes |
| Biology | 60 | 1 | 60 | 80 minutes |
| Total (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology) | 180 | 1 | 180 | 240 minutes |
- Mathematics is meant for engineering courses, and Biology for courses such as pharmacy and agriculture.
- Each subject paper is worth 60 marks (60 questions × 1 mark).
- Every paper has its own time limit of 80 minutes.
KCET 2026 Exam Schedule and Paper Timings
Two papers were held on each main exam day, one in the morning session and one in the afternoon session.
| Date | Paper | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 22 April 2026 (Wednesday) | Kannada Language Test | 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM |
| 23 April 2026 (Thursday) | Physics | 10:30 AM to 11:50 AM |
| 23 April 2026 (Thursday) | Chemistry | 2:30 PM to 3:50 PM |
| 24 April 2026 (Friday) | Mathematics and Biology | 10:30 AM to 11:50 AM and 2:30 PM to 3:50 PM (one paper in each session) |
KCET 2026 Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
Marks are given only for correct answers, and no mark is deducted in any paper.
| Response | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +1 |
| Incorrect answer | 0 |
| Unattempted question | 0 |
| More than one option marked | 0 |
KCET 2026 Kannada Language Test
The Kannada language test is separate from the main subject papers and is not meant for all candidates.
- It was held on 22 April 2026 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, before the main papers.
- It applies to candidates claiming Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga status for government seats.
- It tests basic Kannada and carries 50 marks.
- It is qualifying in nature, and its marks are not counted in KCET score.
KCET 2026 Exam Mode and Instructions
Responses were marked on an OMR sheet, and KEA issued conduct guidelines for all sessions.
- The exam is a pen-and-paper test, and every question has four options with one correct answer.
- Candidates are to reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
- An admit card and a valid photo ID card are to be carried, and both are checked by invigilators.
- The question paper booklet is not to be opened before the allotted time.
- Movement inside the hall is not allowed once the exam starts.
- Copying and communication during the exam are treated as serious malpractice.
KCET 2026 had 60-question papers in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology, giving a total of 180 marks for a candidate in one stream. Each paper lasted 80 minutes and carried 1 mark per correct answer with no negative marking. The Kannada language test was held separately on 22 April 2026 for eligible candidates.
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| KCET Exam Pattern | KCET Syllabus | KCET Eligibility Criteria |
| KCET Question Paper 2026 | KCET Previous Year Papers | KCET News |
KCET 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques: Can a candidate appear in both Mathematics and Biology papers in KCET 2026?
Ans: Yes. A candidate can appear in all four papers. In that case, the total is 240 questions and 240 marks.
Ques: How many marks does a candidate get for 55 correct and 5 wrong answers in a KCET paper?
Ans: The score is 55 marks. Each correct answer gives 1 mark, and the 5 wrong answers carry no deduction.
Ques: How much time is available per question in a KCET 2026 paper?
Ans: A paper has 60 questions in 80 minutes, which gives 80 seconds per question on average.
Ques: What is the total exam time for a candidate appearing in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics?
Ans: The total time is 3 × 80 = 240 minutes, or 4 hours, spread across the papers of two days.
Ques: Was the Kannada language test held on the same days as the main KCET papers?
Ans: No. It was held on 22 April 2026, one day before the main papers began on 23 April 2026.
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