SET BA Mass Communication Analysis 2026: Get Detailed Paper Analysis & Review

Symbiosis Entrance Test 2026 ( SET )

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SET 2026 PI WAT Round- SAII Pune

1 Jun '26 - 6 Jun '26

Saumya Jain
Updated on May 10, 2026 10:54 IST

By Saumya Jain, Assistant Manager- Content

Overview

SET exam analysis 2026: SET exam 2026 was conducted on May 2, 2026, and May 10, 2026, for test 01 and 02, respectively. SET exam is conducted in computer based test format. The exam duration for test 01 & 02 was 60 minutes. SET 2026 exam analysis includes overall and sectional difficulty, analysis of SET exam pattern 2026 and marking scheme, topic wise distribution of questions, expected cutoff, etc.

Latest: SET Exam 2026 live updates

Table of contents
  • SET Analysis 2026: Highlights
  • SET Exam Pattern 2026 and Marking Scheme
  • SET 2026 Question Paper Analysis and Difficulty Level (Test 01 & 02)
  • SET Exam: Written Ability Test (WAT) Topics
  • Previous Years' SET Exam Analysis
  • Important FAQs Related to SET Analysis
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SET Analysis 2026: Highlights

Given below are a few highlights about the SET question paper 2026:

  • SET exam was conducted from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the computer-based test mode. The exam was conducted in a single shift. 
  • SET exam pattern was the same as the previous year.
  • Overall difficulty was moderate for Test 01. 
  • SET 2026 question paper did not have negative markings. Each question carried one mark. 
  • The duration of the exam was 60 minutes or one hour.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How is the final SET score calculated?
A: 

SET score is determined on the basis of correct answers marked by aspirants in the SET exam. For each correct answer, candidates are awarded one mark. For an incorrect answer, there is no negative marking. And also no marks will be awarded or deducted for unaswered questions. Candidates who match the SET cutoff criteria are further called for the Personal Interview round. 

Therefore, the total marks of SET is 60. The sectional marking scheme for SET is given below:

  1. General English: 16
  2. Analytical and Logical Reasoning: 12
  3. Quantitative Ability: 16
  4. General Knowledge: 16

Candidates must choose the questions to solve very carefully and smartly as they will not be awarded marks for incorrect answers. If they are not sure of the correct answer, they should leave the question instead of taking a chance.

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SET Exam Pattern 2026 and Marking Scheme

SET question paper is divided into four sections, i.e. General English, Quantitative Ability, General Awareness and Analytical and Logical Reasoning. Take a look at the table below to know marking scheme.

Subject Questions Marks
Quantitative Ability 16 16
General English 16 16
General Awareness 16 16
Analytical and Logical Reasoning 12 12

SET Marking Scheme

Check below the marking scheme for SET 2026 exam:

  • +1 mark for correct answer
  • No negative markings
  • No marks for unanswered questions
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which section of the SET exam has the least weightage?
A: 

Three out of the four sections of the SET exam namely, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge, have equal weightage. Each question carries one mark for correct attempt. There is neither a negative marking for incorrectly marked answers nor there is marks deduction for unanswered question. The last section of the SET exam, i.e. Analytical and Logical Reasoning carries the least weightage. There are only 12 questions in this section which carry one mark each. The marking scheme of all the four sections is the same. Given below is the sectional weightage of SET exam.

  1. General English: 16 questions, 16 marks
  2. General Knowledge: 16 questions, 16 marks
  3. Quantitative Aptitude: 16 questions, 16 marks
  4. Analytical and Logical Reasoning: 12 questions, 12 marks

One should prepare well for all the sections of the SET exam. If you will score equally well in every section, only then will your overall score will be good. Also, many colleges consider sectional scores as well for admission shortlist so it is important to perform equally well in all sections of SET.

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SET 2026 Question Paper Analysis and Difficulty Level (Test 01 & 02)

SET exam 2026 overall was moderate as per the students who took the exam. Students were able to manage time during the exam. There were few questions which were straight forward, while some questions were tricky. Some were completely based on concepts and formulas. 

The General English section was tricky but doable. The section was grammar driven and there were no RCs except for one poem based question. The section had questions based on vocabulary. 

Attempting and scoring well in the SET exam 2026 could be possible if one had practised enough. 

Check table below to know section wise difficulty level of SET 2026 (test 01):

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts (expected)

Logical and Analytical Reasoning

Easy

11-12

Quantitative Ability

Moderate

14-15

General English

Moderate

14-15

General Awareness

Moderate to Tough

8-10

Overall

Moderate

45-47

SET 02 Analysis 2026

Check the section wise difficulty of SET exam 2026 Test 02:

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Logical and Analytical Reasoning

To be updated

To be updated

Quantitative Ability

To be updated

To be updated

General English

Easy 

To be updated

General Awareness

To be updated

To be updated

Overall

Moderate to Difficult

To be updated

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the sectional weightage of SET exam?
A: 

SET exam has four sections having multiple-choice questions. The sectional weightage of each section of the SET question paper is different. The General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge sections have 16 questions. Each question carries one mark. The Analytical and Logical Reasoning section of the SET question paper has12 multiple-choice questions and each question carries one mark. For incorrect answers, there is no negative marking. The detailed SET sectional weightage is given below:

Subject

Questions

Marks

General English

16

16

Quantitative

16

16

General Awareness

16

16

Analytical and Logical Reasoning

12

12

Total

60

60

Q:   Will the SET BBA exam be conducted in double shifts?
A: 

No, the SET exam will be conducted in a single shift. SET exam is usually conducted in a single shift for one hour, i. e. from 9 AM to 10 AM. The exam was, however, is conducted on two days. 

However, in 2020, the SET exam was conducted in the remote-proctored mode in order to follow the social distancing guidelines for COVID-19, and the students had the option to choose the exam slot according to their preference and convenience. SET exam pattern was also changed after 2020. 

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SET Exam: Written Ability Test (WAT) Topics

DeskCalendarCounselling: 01 Jun ' 26 - 06 Jun ' 26

Check below some of the WAT topics at Symbiosis for the SET exam:

  • Cricket, Cinema, Culture and Politics
  • Work from Home has disturbed the work-life balance that most people struggle to find.
  • It does not matter how much you have, but what really matters is what you do with what you have.
  • Has our dependence on IT/computers/ internet increased during the pandemic? What are the likely consequences of this?
  • Changing business environment in a hyper digitized, hyper-connected and hyper virialized world.
  • Fear of missing out or the joy of missing out." What do you think about this?
  • All progress takes place outside the comfort zone": Michael John Bobak. What do you think of the statement?
  • Women Empowerment
  • Censorships is justified or not?
  • Image: UN symbol and a man in suit. 
  • Social Media changing marketing standards and methods
  • Should right to speak be censored?
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Previous Years' SET Exam Analysis

SET Exam Analysis 2025

Check table below to know section wise difficulty level of SET 2025 (test 02):

Section

Difficulty Level

Logical and Analytical Reasoning

Easy

Quantitative Ability

Moderate

General English

Easy

General Awareness

Easy

Overall

Easy to Moderate

SET 2025 Difficulty Level (Test 01)

Check out the table below to know the section-wise difficulty level of the SET 2025 exam (test 01) and the good attempts per section:

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Logical and Analytical Reasoning

Easy to Moderate

11-12

Quantitative Ability

Easy

14-15

General English

Easy

14-15

General Awareness

Moderate

8-10

Overall

Moderate

45-47

SET 2025 Good Score (Test 01)

The table below depicts the good score in the SET exam 2025 according to the exam analysis:

Section Good Score Ideal Time
General English 13-14 10-11 minutes
Quantitative  13-14 20-23 minutes
Logical Reasoning 10-11 12-13 minutes
General Knowledge 7-8 7-8 minutes

SET Analysis: SET 2024 Sectional Difficulty Level (Test 01)

Check out the table below to know the sectional difficulty level of SET 2024:

Section Difficulty Level 
General English Easy
Quantitative Difficult
General Awareness Moderate
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Easy
Overall Moderate
Check out the video below to know the SET 2024 student reactions and reviews:
Also Read:

SET Test 02 Analysis 2024

The overall difficulty level of the SET exam 2024 for test 2 was easy in comparison to the Test 1. Check out the table below to know the sectional difficulty level of SET 2024 test 2:

Section Difficulty Level 
General English Easy
Quantitative Easy to Moderate
General Awareness Moderate to Difficult
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Easy to Moderate
Overall Easy

SET Analysis: SET 2023 Sectional Difficulty Level (Test 01)

Check out the table below to know the sectional difficulty level of SET 2023:

Section Difficulty Level 
General English Easy
Quantitative Difficult
General Awareness Moderate
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Easy
Overall Moderate

Check the video below for SET 2023 students' reactions and reviews of the SET exam:

SET 2023 Sectional Difficulty Level (Test 02)

Check out the table below to know the sectional difficulty level of SET 2023:

Section Difficulty Level 
General English Easy
Quantitative Difficult
General Awareness Moderate
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Easy
Overall Easy to Moderate

Check the video below for SET 2023 students' reactions and reviews of the SET exam (test 02):

SET Exam Analysis 2021

The SET 2021 was conducted from July 10 to July 13, i.e. for four days. The questions asked in the exam on all days were moderately difficult. In the General Knowledge section, the questions were asked from static GK and current affairs. Take a look below to know the day-wise analysis of the SET 2021 exam.

SET 2021: Day 1 Exam Analysis

Check out the table below to know the sectional and overall difficulty level and good attempts in the SET 2021 question paper.

Section Difficulty Level Good Attempts
General English Easy 9
Quantitative Moderate 10
General Awareness Easy 12
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Moderate 8
WAT Moderate NA
Overall Easy to Moderate 39

SET 2021: Day 2 Exam Analysis

Check out the table below to know the sectional and overall difficulty level and good attempts in the SET 2021 exam day 2.

Section Difficulty Level Good Attempts
General English Easy 12
Quantitative Easy to Moderate 13
General Awareness Easy 11
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Easy to Moderate 8
WAT Moderate NA
Overall Easy to Moderate 44

SET 2021: Day 3 Exam Analysis

Check out the table below to know the sectional and overall difficulty level and good attempts in the SET 2021 exam day 3.

Section Difficulty Level Good Attempts
General English Easy to Moderate 11-12
Quantitative Easy 12-13
General Awareness Moderate 11-13
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Easy 10-11
WAT Moderate NA
Overall Easy to Moderate 48-50

SET Analysis 2020

SET 2020 was conducted in the internet-based test mode in various cities in India. SET question paper 2020 had four sections and the WAT round was conducted on the same day after the written exam. The exam was conducted in two slots, i.e. SET (A) and SET (B). Check out the table below to know the difficulty level- sectional and overall.

Section Difficulty Level
General Knowledge Moderate
Logical Reasoning Easy
Quantitative Easy
General English Easy to Moderate
WAT Easy
Overall Easy

WAT Topics

Check out the WAT topics asked in the SET 2020 exam:

  • Is India Ready for Digital Education?
  • What are the effects of live-streaming on youth?

SET Exam Analysis 2019

Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) was conducted in computer-based test mode in various exam centres in India. SET question paper 2019 had four sections. There were 150 questions and each question carried one mark. There was no negative marking for incorrect answers. There were four options for each question. Look at the table below to know the difficulty level and number of good attempts for SET exam.

Section Difficulty level Good attempts
Quantitative Ability Easy to moderate 30-35
General English Easy to moderate 29-32
General Awareness Moderate 21-23
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Easy to moderate 24-29

SET Exam 2019 Section-wise Analysis

Section 1: Quantitative Ability

This section had questions from Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, Bar Graphs, Number Series, Directions, Average, Time and Work, Geometry, Mensuration, Probability, etc. The section was overall moderately difficult but there were also a few questions that were relatively easy.

Topics Number of questions
Data Interpretation 3
Data Sufficiency 2
Number Series 4
Directions  4
Average 2
Time and Work 1
Set-Theory 1
Geometry 1
Mensuration 1
Rankings 1
Permutations and Combinations 5
Algebra 2
Percentage and its applications 6-7
Ratio and Proportion 4
Time, Speed and Distance 2

Section 2: General English

This section was also moderately difficult. The General English section was based on topics such as Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Idioms, Phrases, Synonyms, etc. Check out the table below to understand the breakup of the section.

Topics Questions
Reading Comprehension 4
Vocabulary and its applications 16-17
Idioms and Phrases 3-4 
Fill in the blanks 5

Section 3: General Awareness

This section of the SET question paper contained questions on Current Affairs, Geography, Economics, Awards, Books, etc. There were questions from Static GK, Nobel Prizes, Who's who, Sports, Politics, etc. Candidates could have attempted this section with good accuracy by marking at least 14-15 questions correctly. The section was comparatively easy than the other sections.

Section 4: Logical and Analytical Reasoning

This section was moderately difficult. There were questions from Statement and Inference, Course of Action, Series, Visual Reasoning, Blood Relations, etc. Check out the table below to understand the breakup of the section.

Topics Questions
Verbal Reasoning 9
Set-Theory 4
Coding and Decoding 3
Blood Relations 2
Arrangement and Puzzles 5
Visual Reasoning 1
Identify the missing number and Clocks 6

Read More: Best books to read for SET

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Important FAQs Related to SET Analysis

Check some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on SET analysis:

Q:   What is the difficulty level of SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test)?
A: 

SET is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to various undergraduate courses. SET 2026 will be conducted in the computer-based test mode. The difficulty level of the SET exam is usually easy to moderate. But, a few questions might trick your mind and can be time-consuming.

General Knowledge and Analytical and Logical Reasoning are easier than the Quantitative Aptitude section. In 2025, according to the students who appeared for the SET session 1 exam, the SET exam was moderate. The General English section was the easiest of all four sections. The Quantitative Aptitude section was the toughest, and the other two sections were moderate to easy. The overall difficulty level of the SET question paper was moderate. Students who appeared for the SET 2025 session 2 exam said that the overall difficulty level was easy. Again, the General English section was the easiest. In this session, the Analytical and Logical Reasoning section was also easy to moderate. The Quant section was easy to moderate, and the General Knowledge section was difficult.

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SET Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 weeks ago

SET 2027 exam will likely be held in the second week of May 2027. SET exam will be conducted in CBT test format by Symbiosis International University. Duration of exam will be one hour and students can take exam at their test centre. 

R

Rashmi Chatterjee

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Click the forgot password option in login window. Enter name, email ID and date of birth. Then, click on submit. Writing down SET password or choosing an easier one can be easier for the students. 

M

Mani Malhotra

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Most of the colleges follow the same selection process, i.e. exam score, Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). Some colleges do not conduct WAT. The GD round is conducted group-wise. For instance, SCMC Pune does not conduct the Group Discussion round but rat

...Read more

R

Rashmi Chatterjee

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, students should begin their SET exam preparation at least 6 months before exam date. SET exam is easy to moderate. Students should spend time on practice and mock test to score well.

R

Rohini Bhatnagar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

SET syllabus includes important topics of subjects that are relevant for business and general aptitude. For SET exam, candidates have to study, English Quantitative Aptitude General Knowledge and Analytical Reasoning. 

R

Rashmi Chatterjee

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

If student has a good study plan, they can study at home for SET exam. The exam is conducted annually and is easier than other BBA exams. 

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Saumya Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

IPMAT is usually considered a bit more difficult than SET, as IPMAT exam has advanced mathematics and is calculation intensive. The exam also have a sectional time limit. But, SET is easier in terms of difficulty, does not have negative marking or sectional timings. 

S

Shiksha Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Students must report to the SET exam centre at least an hour before the exam. SET exam will take place at 9 AM at many test centres. Students must reach the exam centre the latest by 7:30 AM.

M

Mani Malhotra

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, one can fill the SET application form on one day and pay the fee on another day as it is not mandatory to register for SET exam and fill the application form or pay the fee in one go.

R

Rashmi Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Application fee for SET exam is INR 2250 for one session. Candidates also need to pay institution fee of INR 1000 per institute. 

R

Rashmi Chatterjee

Contributor-Level 6

5 Institutes accepting SET

B.A. (Hons.) in Liberal Arts
  • 20.40 Lakh
  • 4 years
  • |
  • Full Time
Ph.D. in Mass Communication
    • 3.00 Lakh
    • 3 years
    • |
    • Full Time
    B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication
    • 4.80 Lakh
    • 3 years
    • |
    • Full Time
    Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication
        • 3 years
        • |
        • Full Time

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