Karnataka PGCET Exam Pattern 2026: Check Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Mode of Exam & Duration

Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test 2025 ( Karnataka PGCET )

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Abhishek Dhawan
Updated on Oct 1, 2025 12:19 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Pattern: Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) released the Karnataka PGCET exam pattern for all courses, including MBA, MCA, and MTech, along with tgeh information brochure. Karnataka PGCET test structure is designed separately for admission to MBA, MCA, MTech and ME programmes. As per the Karnataka PGCET MBA paper pattern, the total marks of the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam are 100. Candidates get 120 minutes to answer all the multiple-choice questions. For every right answer, candidates get one mark; for the wrong answers, no marks are awarded.

KEA is rumoured to conduct the Karnataka PGCET exam as a computer based test. Karnataka PGCET syllabus PDF mentions the exam will be held in online mode, whereas, the information brochure states that the Karnataka PGCET exam is held as a pen and paper based test. Scroll down to know more details about the Karnataka PGCET 2026 exam pattern.

Table of content
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Pattern
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Sectional Weightage
  • Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Pattern: Key Takeaways
  • FAQs on Karnataka PGCET Pattern 2026
Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Pattern

The table below mentions the details of the test pattern for the Karnataka PGCET exam:

Karnataka PGCET Pattern Elements

Karnataka PGCET Exam Details

Medium of the exam

English

Duration of the exam

120 minutes

Mode of the exam

Pen and Paper Based Test (PBT)

Types of questions

MCQ

Marking scheme

(+) 1 mark for every correct answer; no negative mark for incorrect responses

Number of sections in the question paper

Five

Number of answer options per question

Four

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Will marks be deducted for any question which is not attempted in Karnataka PGCET?
A: 

Karnataka PGCET exam has a total of 100 questions to be answered within a time duration of 120 minutes. In case a candidates leaves any question unanswered, no marks will be added or deducted. Also, no marks are awarded or deducted for any question, where the candidate has selected multiple answer choices. Infact, there is no negative marking in the exam. For each correct response marked by the candidate in the OMR sheet, KEA will award one mark in Karnataka PGCET 2023 exam while for the wrong answers, no marks will be deducted.

Q:   Is there any negative marking in Karnataka PGCET?
A: 

No there is no negative marking in the exam. Each cprre ct answer will fetch 1 marks whereas the Karnatka PGCET exam has no negative marking for wrong answers marked. The Karnataka PGCET syllabus is based on the topics from four different sections: Proficiency in English Language, General Knowledge, Reasoning and General Intelligence, and Quantitative Analysis. Each of these section will have 25 multiple choice questions. Candidates need to choose one answer option out of four choices for each question.

Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Sectional Weightage

Check the sectional weightage of the Karnataka PGCET 2026 question paper in the table below:

Sections

Total Number of Questions

Total Marks

Computer Awareness

20

20

English Language

20

20

General Knowledge

20

20

Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning

20

20

Quantitative Analysis

20

20

Total

100

100

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Are there different sections in Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

Yes there are four sections in the Karnataka PGCET exam. Each of the section in the PGCET exam will have 25 multiple choice questions. Each MCQ carries 1 mark, while no negative marking is prevelant. The sections included in the KArnataka PGCET exam for MBA course admission are as follows:

  • Proficiency in English Language
  • General Knowledge
  • Reasoning and General Intelligence
  • Quantitative Analysis

Since all the sections have equal weighatge, candidates must consider each section equially important during the preparation phase.

Q:   Is there a sectional time to solve the Karnataka PGCET question paper?
A: 

No. KEA has not defined any of the sections in Karnataka PGCET based on the time duration. Candidates do not need to follow any sectional time limit to solve questions from different sections of the Karnataka PGCET question paper. The total time to complete the exam is 120 minutes. Candidates need to answer all the 100 objective type questions within the time duration of 2 hours.

View Syllabus
Karnataka PGCET Logo

Karnataka PGCET 2026 Exam Pattern: Key Takeaways

  • It is compulsory to answer all the questions in the Karnataka PGCET exam
  • Candidates will not get the option to select questions in the question paper
  • To score maximum marks, it is important to answer questions with accuracy
  • No marks are awarded in case of selection of multiple answers

Read More:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many questions will be there in each section of the Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

As per the Karnataka PGCET exam pattern, each section of the exam for MBA course will have as many as 25 questions. All questions in the PGCET exam will carry one mark each. Since all sections of the PGCET exam will have a similar weightage in terms of marks and number of questions, all the sections hold equal importance.

Candidates have 120 minutes to answer all the multiple-choice questions of Karnataka PGCET exam. It is compulsory to answer all the questions. Candidates will not get the option to select questions in the question paper. The exam is held in offline mode.

Q:   What is the marking scheme of the Karnataka PGCET exam?
A: 

For every right answer, candidates will be awarded one mark in Karnataka PGCET 2024 exam while for the wrong answers, no marks will be deducted. The total marks of the Karnataka PGCET 2024 exam are 100. Candidates get 120 minutes to answer all the multiple-choice questions. It is compulsory to answer all the questions in the Karnataka PGCET exam. Candidates will not get the option to select questions in the question paper. To score maximum marks, it is important to answer questions with accuracy. No marks are awarded in case of selection of multiple answers.

Karnataka PGCET Logo

FAQs on Karnataka PGCET Pattern 2026

Find some of the frequently asked questions on Karnatraka PGCET exam pattern:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How may questions are there in total in Karnataka PGCET?
A: 

Karnataka PGCET has a total of 100 questions. There are four sections in the exam and each section has 25 MCQs. Each MCQ carry 1 marks. The sections are Proficiency in English Language, General Knowledge, Reasoning and General Intelligence, and Quantitative Analysis. The total time to complete the exam is 120 minutes. 100 MCQs are to be completed in 2 hours.

Q:   Is Karnataka PGCET an online CBT exam or an offline pen and paper-based exam?
A: 

KEA conducts Karnataka PGCET as an offline exam using the OMR input system. Candidates have to attempt the exam in pen and paper mode at the designated exam centre. Candidates need to0 mark the answers in an OMR sheet provided at the test centre. Each question will have options. The most appropriate option will have to be selected and candidates have to mark the bubble corresponding to the most appropriate answer. For example if the answer to question 2 is C, then the bubble C has to be darkened.

Q:   Where can I get Karnataka PGCET previous year question papers?
A: 

Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) will release the Karnataka PGCET question papers. With the release of the information brochure and notification for the exam, KEA releases Karnataka PGCET previous year's question papers. Candidates can use the previous year question papers for Karnataka PGCET preparation. These question papers comprise all the questions that appeared in the previous examination sessions. With the help of Karnataka PGCET sample papers, aspirants can prepare according to the pattern, difficulty standards, important topics and more.

qna

Karnataka PGCET Exam

Student Forum

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

Answered a month ago

The Harsha Institutions MBA cutoff in the Karnataka PGCET MBA 2024 entrance exam was 36,291. When compared with the cutoff ranks in Karnataka PGCET entrance exams of the previous year, we notice a dramatic increase in competition. The Harsha Institutions MBA cutoff in the Karnataka PGCET MBA 2023 wa

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The registrations for the Karnataka PGCET entrance exams will open on 25th April 2025. Candidates can register themselves for the Karnataka PGCET entrance exam till 19th May 2025. Candidates who are ble to register within this period will be able to receive the admit card for the Karnataka PGCET ent

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

With a PGCET MBA rank of around 5000 under the OBC-NCL category, plus having the NCC quota, you stand a good chance of getting admission into reputed colleges. Based on previous year cutoffs, colleges like Acharya Institute of Technology, Dayananda Sagar University, RNS Institute of Technology, NMAM

...Read more

93610744
Vivek Kumar Yadav

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Before the first round of counselling starts, KEA conducts a mock allotment round to familiarise candidates with the Karnataka PGCET counselling process, including the release of mock allotment results, and mock round cutoffs.

Candidates will not get admission into Karnataka PGCET participating colle

...Read more

J

Jaya Katariya

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 months ago

Karnataka PGCET draft seat matrix is released soon after the result declaration. The draft seat matrix indicates the total seats available at Karnataka PGCET participating colleges. These seats are submitted by the PGCET participating institutes to KEA to provide an idea before the counselling proce

...Read more

V

Vikram Tyagi

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 months ago

Karnataka PGCET verification slip is downloadable from the official exam website. Candidates have to login to download the PGCET verification slip. PGCET verification slip is required during the counselling process. Candidates who have the Karnataka PGCET verification slip will be allowed to partici

...Read more

D

Dhanya Shekhar

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 months ago

The results for the Karnataka PGCET exam 2025 are scheduled to be released in the month of July. After that, the counseling process for PGCET is scheduled between August and October. Candidates who have appeared for the Karnataka PGCET exam are advised to check the official website during July to re

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The syllabus for the Karnataka PGCET exam is comprised of 4 subjects including, Computer Awareness, Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Analysis, English Language and General Knowledge. Candidates are advised to get the latest study material for the General Knowledge part of the syl

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

According to the available cutoff data for MBA courses at JSS Science and Technology University, the MBA in Retail Management course has the lowest cutoff for admissions. However, there is a drastic increase in the cutoff for the MBA in Retail Management between 2023 and 2024.  The increase in cutof

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

KEA conducts Karnataka PGCET exam for admission to MBA, MCA and M.Tech courses. The Karnataka PGCET rank is crucial as it helps determine a candidate's position among other test-takers. Karnataka PGCET rank leads to allotment of seats during the PGCET counselling process. Candidates with a higher ra

...Read more

J

Jaya Katariya

Beginner-Level 5

380 Institutes accepting Karnataka PGCET

Christ University

Hosur Road, Bangalore Private

Christ Uni
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time
    • 13.02 Lakh
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    Kristu Jayanti College

    Kothanur, Bangalore Private

    Kristu Jay
    • 8.95 Lakh
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    DSU - Dayananda Sagar University

    Hosur Road, Bangalore Private

    DSU - Daya
    • 12.04 Lakh
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates

    KMAT 2025 registrations (session 2) 16 Sep '25 - 12 Oct '25
    MU BAAT 2026 Round 1 Registration 1 Aug '25 - 12 Oct '25
    NMAT 2025 Registration Window 1 Aug '25 - 18 Oct '25
    BET 2026 Round 1 Submission Deadline 4 Nov '25
    PAT 2025 Exam Jul '25 - Dec '25

    News & Updates

    Latest NewsPopular News