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PGCET exam pattern and syllabus

Last checked against the official KEA site: September 2026

Karnataka PGCET is an offline, pen-and-paper OMR examination consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions worth 100 marks over a duration of 120 minutes (2 hours). There is zero negative marking.

Stream-wise paper structure

Stream	Questions / Marks	Duration	Session Timing
MBA	100 MCQs / 100 Marks	120 minutes	2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
MCA	100 MCQs / 100 Marks	120 minutes	10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
M.Tech / M.E. / M.Arch	100 MCQs / 100 Marks	120 minutes	Separate weekend (May)

MBA paper: section-wise marks distribution (100 Marks)

The MBA paper evaluates general business management aptitude and has 4 balanced sections of 25 marks each:

Section	Topics Covered	Marks
Section A: Proficiency in English	Grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and reading comprehension.	25 Marks
Section B: General Knowledge	Current national/international affairs, Indian economy, business history, sports, awards, and civics.	25 Marks
Section C: Reasoning & Intelligence	Logical deductions, analogies, syllogisms, blood relations, sequences, and critical thinking.	25 Marks
Section D: Quantitative Analysis	Arithmetic, percentages, ratios, algebra, probability, data interpretation (charts/tables), and geometry.	25 Marks

MCA paper: section-wise marks distribution (100 Marks)

The MCA paper evaluates mathematical rigor and computing aptitude, divided into two distinct parts:

• Part A: Mathematics (60 Questions / 60 Marks): Coordinate geometry, algebra, differential & integral calculus, trigonometry, matrices, set theory, statistics, and vectors.
• Part B: Computer Awareness & Analytical Reasoning (40 Questions / 40 Marks): Basic computer organization, binary & hexadecimal arithmetic, operating system fundamentals, C programming logic, flowcharts, data structures basics, and logical series.

M.Tech / M.E. / M.Arch paper structure (100 Marks)

Unlike MBA, the postgraduate engineering exam is branch-specific based on your undergraduate discipline (Mechanical, Civil, Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics, etc.):

• Part A: Engineering Mathematics (30 Questions / 30 Marks): Common to all engineering candidates (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Probability & Numerical Methods).
• Part B: Core Engineering Specialisation (70 Questions / 70 Marks): Tests fundamental university-level core subjects specific to the selected branch.

Marking scheme & OMR guidelines

• Each correct response carries +1 mark.
• There is no negative marking (0 deduction) for incorrect or unattempted responses.
• Responses are recorded on physical OMR sheets using blue or black ballpoint pens only.