Karnataka Common Entrance Test • Conducted by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Chapter-Wise Breakdown Based on Karnataka's 1st and 2nd PUC Curriculum
KCET's syllabus is explicitly based on the curriculum prescribed by the Department of Pre-University Education, Karnataka, covering both 1st PUC (Class 11 equivalent) and 2nd PUC (Class 12 equivalent) topics. While broadly aligned with the NCERT framework used nationally, Karnataka's PUC syllabus has its own specific textbook structure and occasionally different chapter emphasis, making it important for candidates (especially those from CBSE or other state boards) to specifically cross-check against the official KCET/PUC syllabus document rather than assuming full NCERT equivalence.
Physics Topics
~20 Chapters
1st & 2nd PUC Combined
Chemistry Topics
~20 Chapters
Physical, Organic, Inorganic
Maths Topics
~16 Chapters
1st & 2nd PUC Combined
Alignment
Karnataka PUC Board
Not Purely NCERT
1st PUC: Physical World, Units & Measurement, Motion in a Straight Line/Plane, Laws of Motion, Work Energy & Power, System of Particles & Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Mechanical Properties of Solids/Fluids, Thermal Properties of Matter, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, Oscillations, Waves.
2nd PUC: Electric Charges & Fields, Electrostatic Potential & Capacitance, Current Electricity, Moving Charges & Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Alternating Current, Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics & Optical Instruments, Wave Optics, Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter, Atoms, Nuclei, Semiconductor Electronics.
Physical Chemistry: Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, Solutions.
Organic Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Basic Principles, Hydrocarbons, Haloalkanes & Haloarenes, Alcohols/Phenols/Ethers, Aldehydes/Ketones/Carboxylic Acids, Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life.
Inorganic Chemistry: Classification of Elements & Periodicity, Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure, Hydrogen, s-Block Elements, p-Block Elements, d & f Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, General Principles of Metallurgy.
| Unit | Key Chapters |
|---|---|
| Algebra | Sets, Relations & Functions, Complex Numbers, Permutations & Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Sequences & Series, Matrices & Determinants, Linear Programming, Probability |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric Functions, Inverse Trigonometric Functions |
| Coordinate Geometry | Straight Lines, Conic Sections, Introduction to 3D Geometry |
| Calculus | Limits & Derivatives, Continuity & Differentiability, Application of Derivatives, Integrals, Application of Integrals, Differential Equations |
| Vectors | Vector Algebra, Three-Dimensional Geometry |
| Statistics & Probability | Statistics, Probability |
Historical analysis of KCET papers suggests Mechanics and Electromagnetism dominate the Physics section, while Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry numericals (particularly Equilibrium and Thermodynamics) carry the heaviest Chemistry weightage. In Mathematics, Calculus and Coordinate Geometry together typically account for the largest share of questions, broadly mirroring national-level exam patterns despite KCET's PUC-specific textbook alignment.
KCET's syllabus is based on Karnataka's PUC Board curriculum, which broadly aligns with NCERT but has its own specific textbook structure and occasional differences in chapter emphasis; candidates should refer to the official PUC syllabus for precision.
No, pure engineering aspirants only need Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry; Biology is relevant only for candidates targeting Agriculture, Veterinary, or other Biology-dependent courses.
Calculus (limits, derivatives, integrals) and Coordinate Geometry together typically account for the largest share of KCET Mathematics questions based on historical paper analysis.
Revise chapter-wise mathematical formulas before launching your test: