The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) is conducted every year by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). It is the main route to government-quota seats in engineering, technology and several other professional courses at colleges across Karnataka, including many of the best-known engineering colleges in Bangalore.
KCET is a pen-and-paper, multiple-choice test held over two days in April. Engineering aspirants write Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. There is no negative marking.
How the engineering rank is calculated
Your KCET engineering rank is not based on the entrance test alone. KEA combines your KCET marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with your marks in the same three subjects in the qualifying exam (2nd PUC / Class 12) in equal proportion (50:50). Strong board marks therefore matter as much as a strong test score.
Who should take KCET
- Students who qualify as Karnataka candidates under KEA’s rules and want low-fee government-quota seats.
- Students from outside Karnataka can also write the test, but they are generally eligible only for a limited set of seats. Check the KEA information bulletin for your category.
After the result: counselling
Seats are allotted through KEA’s online counselling: document verification, option entry (choice filling), mock allotment and then multiple rounds of seat allotment. Your rank, category and the choices you enter decide which college and branch you get.