KCET Syllabus – Subject-wise Topics, Exam Pattern, Important Books

Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has released the KCET syllabus 2020. The syllabus includes the topics to be prepared in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology. Department of Pre-University Education of Karnataka State directs the candidates to look into the  1st and 2nd year PUC (Pre-university Course) syllabus, around which the KCET syllabus revolves. 

KCET examination dates for the year 2020 are officially declared. The exam will take place on July 30 and July 31, 2020 in four sessions (two on each day). Mathematics and Biology papers are scheduled on July 30 while papers of Physics and Chemistry will be held on July 31. Each paper will contain 60 MCQs. Candidates will be given 80 minutes to finish each one of the papers. 

As the KCET exam pattern is also a part of the syllabus, candidates must learn about the same to keep their KCET 2020 preparation on the right track. The medium of KCET exam will be English and Kannada. Get comprehensive information about KCET 2020 syllabus, exam pattern and preparation tips in this article. 

KCET Syllabus – Overview  

After having a complete know-how of KCET 2020 syllabus, candidates can easily prepare an effective study plan to inch closer towards success in Karnataka Common Entrance Test. The syllabus of KCET comprises topics of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics separately. 

Read more:- KCET Result – Dates, Checking Process, Scorecard & Merit List Details

KCET Syllabus for Mathematics (PUC 1st and 2nd year)

KCET 2020 syllabus is as same as the PUC 1st and 2nd year syllabus defined by the Department of Pre-University Education of Karnataka State. The related topics and chapters pertaining to mathematics section are mentioned below in tabular form: 

KCET Mathematics Syllabus Based on PUC Ist Year

Chapters	Topics
Introduction to 3D Geometry	Coordinate axes and coordinate planes in three dimensions  Coordinates of a point  Distance between two points  Section formula and problems
Mathematical Reasoning	Definition of proposition and problems  Logical connectives  Compound proposition  Quantifier  Negation problems
Statistics	Measure of dispersion  Range  Mean deviation  Variance and standard deviation of ungrouped/grouped data  Analysis of frequency distributions
Principle Of Mathematical Induction	Process of the proof by induction  Motivating the application of the method by looking at natural numbers  The principle of mathematical induction  Simple problems based on summation
Complex Numbers And Quadratic Equations	Need for complex numbers, especially √ Brief description of algebraic properties of complex numbers  Solution of quadratic equations in the complex number system  Square-root of a Complex number given in supplement and problems
Linear Inequalities	Linear inequalities  Algebraic solutions of linear inequalities in one variable Graphical solution of linear inequalities in two variables  Solution of system of linear inequalities in two variables -graphically and examples
Permutation And Combination	Fundamental principle of counting Factorial and Permutations Permutation when all the objects are not distinct, problems. Combinations: Definition, examples  Proving nCr= nPr r!, nCr = nCn-r; nCr +nCr-1 = n+1Cr
Binomial Theorem	Statement and proof of the binomial theorem for positive integral indices  Pascal’s triangle, general and middle term in binomial expansion  Problems based on expansion finding any term, term independent of x, middle term, coefficient of xr .
Sets	Empty Set  Finite and Infinite sets  Equal sets  Subsets  Subsets of the set of real numbers especially intervals (with notations)  Power set  Universal set  Union and intersection of sets  Difference of sets  Complement of a set  Properties of Complement sets  Simple practical problems on union and intersection of two sets

KCET Mathematics Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

Chapters	Topics
Inverse Trigonometric Functions	Definition  Range  Domain  Principal value branches  Mentioning domain  Range of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions  Conversion of one inverse trigonometric function to another
Matrices	Column matrix  Row matrix  Rectangular matrix  Square matrix  Zero matrix  Diagonal matrix  Scalar matrix and unit matrix  Equality of matrices  Scalar multiplication of matrices  Transpose of a matrix  Symmetric and skew symmetric matrices Concept of elementary row and column operations
Applications of Integrals	Area under the curve  Area under simple curves, especially lines, arcs of circles/parabolas/ellipses  Area bounded by two above said curves: problems
Linear Programming	Introduction of L.P.P.  Definition of constraints  Objective function  Optimization  Constraint equations  Non- negativity restrictions  Mathematical formulation-mathematical formulation of L.P.P  Different types of L.P.P

KCET Syllabus for Chemistry (PUC 1st and 2nd year)

KCET 2020 syllabus for Chemistry section will cover the topics of PUC 1st and 2nd year syllabus. Fetch the 1st year and 2nd year PUC syllabus from the tables below:

KCET Chemistry Syllabus Based on PUC Ist Year

Chapters	Topics
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry	General introduction: Importance and scope of chemistry  Properties of matter and their measurement Laws of chemical combination  Dalton’s atomic theory  Atomic and molecular masses  Avogadro constant, mole and molar mass  Reactions in solutions
Classification of Elements & Periodicity in Properties	Significance of classification  Mendeleev periodic law  Henry Moseley observation based on X- ray spectra of elements, account of groups, periods, s, p, d and f blocks  Periodic trends in properties of elements with reason
Thermodynamics	Thermodynamic terms – concepts of system, surroundings, Internal energy: as a state function, work and heat  Exothermic and endothermic reactions  Heat capacity & specific heat  Thermochemical equations- examples , enthalpy of a reaction  Spontaneous and non-spontaneous processes
Redox Reactions	Concept of oxidation and reduction  Redox reactions  Oxidation number  Oxidation, reduction, oxidizing agent/oxidant  Types of redox reactions
Hydrogen	Position of hydrogen in periodic table  Reaction with halogens, dioxygen, physical properties, chemical properties, dinitrogen, Hydrides – classification  Dihydrogen as a fuel – meaning of hydrogen economy
s – Block Elements	Group – I & Group – II: elements electronic configuration, occurrence, trends in ionization enthalpy, hydration enthalpy, atomic and ionic radii  Anomalous properties of lithium  Preparation and properties of some compounds Biological importance of sodium and potassium
Some p – Block Elements	General introduction to p– block elements-electronic configuration, oxidation states, inert pair effect, anomalous behaviour of first member of each group  Group 13 elements  Group – 14 elements, Carbon: anomalous behaviour, reason, catenation, allotropic form
Environmental Chemistry	Environmental pollution  Air pollution or troposphere pollution Stratospheric Pollution  Water pollution  Soil pollution  Strategies to control environmental pollution  Green chemistry: Introduction, green chemistry in day-to-day life

KCET Chemistry Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

Chapters	Topics
Solid State	General characteristics of solids: amorphous and crystalline solids  Classification of crystalline solids  Definitions – lattice point, crystal lattice, unit cell, coordination number  Close packing in two dimensional and three dimensional lattices  Point defects-types  Electrical properties
Solutions	Types of Solutions – binary – gaseous, liquid and solids  Solution of liquid in liquid  Solution of a solid in a liquid  Raoult’s law  Numerical problems on determination of molar mass using colligative properties  Abnormal molar mass
Surface Chemistry	Adsorption: adsorbate, adsorbent, examples, distinction between adsorption and absorption  Physisorption and chemisorption  Catalysis: homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis  Classification of colloids-types of colloidal systems  Properties of colloids: Tyndall effect  Brownian movement
General Principles & Processes of Element Isolation	Principles and methods of extraction: concentration of ores, hydraulic washing, magnetic separation, froth floatation, leaching of alumina from bauxite, roasting and calcination, extraction of different metals  Refining: principles and examples each for distillation
Coordination Compounds	General introduction to salts, difference between double salt and coordination, Coordination entity, central metal ion, coordination number  Werner’s theory  CFT (crystal field theory)  Spectrochemical series, compare weak field ligand  Isomerism  Stereoisomerism  Importance of coordination compounds
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes	Classification based on hybridization of carbon, Preparation from alcohols  Physical properties  Reactions of haloalkanes  Nucleophilic substitution reactions  Optical isomerism  Elimination reaction ( ß elimination Haloarenes  Electrophilic substitution reactions for chlorobenzene  Reaction with metals
Alcohol, Phenols, and Ethers	Classification: mono, di, tri ,allylic, and benzylic alcohols, mono, di and trihydric phenols Preparation of alcohols  Preparation of phenol  Physical and Chemical properties of primary alcohols  Esterification and acylation of alcohols/phenols Reactions of phenol
Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen	Amines: Structure of amines, classification Methods of preparation: Reduction of nitrobenzene, reduction of nitrile and amide Physical and Chemical properties  Diazonium salts  Retention of diazo group
Polymers	Polymer, monomer, polymerization, macromolecule  Classification: source, structure, types (mode) of polymerization  Methods of polymerization  Name of monomer/s and partial structure for the polymers  Rubber  Non-biodegradable polymers
Biomolecules	Carbohydrates: classification-based on hydrolysis  Glucose  Disaccharide  Polysaccharides  Proteins  Classification of α-amino acids  Hormones  Vitamins  Nucleic acids
Chemistry in Everyday Life	Chemicals in medicines: drugs, chemotherapy – different classes of drugs- antacids, etc. Chemicals in food: artificial sweetening agents, preservatives; Cleansing agents: soaps, process of saponification with equation

KCET Syllabus for Physics (PUC 1st and 2nd Year)

KCET 2020 syllabus for Physics consists of the topics from PUC 1st and 2nd year syllabus. Find the details of KCET physics syllabus below:

KCET Physics Syllabus Based on PUC Ist Year

Chapters	Topics
Physical World	Scope and excitement of physics  Physics, technology and society  Mention of fundamental forces in nature Nature of physical laws
Unit of Measurement	Unit of measurement  System of units  SI units  Fundamental and derived units  Length, mass and time measurements Accuracy and precision of measuring instruments  Dimensions of physical quantities – Dimensional analysis and its applications
Motion in a Straight Line	Definitions of path length and displacement Definitions of average speed and average velocity, instantaneous speed and instantaneous velocity & uniform and non-uniform motion  Uniformly accelerated motion  Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration for describing motion
Gravitation	Kepler’s laws of planetary motion  Acceleration due to gravity: Derivation of relation between g and G Gravitational potential energy: Derivation of gravitational potential energy  Earth satellites
Mechanical Properties of Solids	Elasticity and plasticity  Elastic behavior of solids  Stress and strain  Hooke’s law  Stress-strain curve  Elastic moduli: Definitions and expressions of Young’s modulus  Bulk modulus
Mechanical Properties of Fluids	Pressure  Derivation of pressure at a point inside a liquid Gauge pressure  Pascal’s law: Statement and its applications, Streamline flow  Bernoulli’s principle  Viscosity  Reynolds number  Surface tension
Thermodynamics	Thermal equilibrium  Laws of Thermodynamics  Adiabatic process  Heat engines  Refrigerators  Reversible and irreversible processes
Kinetic Theory	Equation of state of a perfect gas  Kinetic theory of an ideal gas  Degrees of freedom  Law of equipartition of energy: Statement and application to specific heat capacities of monatomic, diatomic and polyatomic gases Concept of mean free path
Oscillations	Periodic and oscillatory motion: Definitions of Period and Frequency  Displacement as a function of time Periodic functions Simple harmonic motion Oscillations due to a spring

KCET Physics Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

Chapters	Topics
Magnetism & Matter	Bar magnet: Properties of magnetic field lines Gauss law in magnetism  Earth’s magnetic field and its elements Magnetic properties of materials  Hysteresis  Hysteresis loop, definitions of retentivity and coercivity
Electromagnetic Induction	Experiments of Faraday and Henry  Lenz’s law, Inductance – Mutual inductance Self-inductance  AC generator
Alternating Current	Mention of expression for instantaneous, peak and rms values of alternating current and voltage  AC voltage applied to a resistor  AC voltage applied to an inductor  AC voltage applied to series LCR circuit Mention of expression for power in ac circuit LC oscillations
Electromagnetic Waves	Displacement current  Need for displacement current Expression for displacement current Expression for Ampere-Maxwell law Electromagnetic waves Electromagnetic spectrum
Atoms	Alpha particle scattering  Schematic diagram of Geiger-Marsden experiment  Rutherford’s model of an atom  Atomic spectra Bohr model of hydrogen atom  Derivation of energy of electron in stationary states of hydrogen atom
Nuclei	Definition of atomic mass unit  Isotopes, isobars and isotones  Explanation of mass defect and binding energy Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion Radioactivity
Communication Systems	Block diagram of generalized communication system  Transducer  Signal  Noise  Transmitter  Receiver  Attenuation Bandwidth of transmission medium for coaxial cable, free space and optical fibers  Propagation of electromagnetic waves

KCET Syllabus for Biology (PUC 1st and 2nd Year)

KCET syllabus for the biology contains the below given topics as per the PUC I and II syllabus:

KCET Biology Syllabus Based on PUC Ist Year

Chapters	Topics
Body Fluids & Circulation	Composition of blood  Blood groups  Coagulation of blood  Composition and functions of Lymph  Human circulatory system  Structure of human heart and blood vessels Disorders of circulatory system Hypertension
Excretory Products & their Elimination	Modes of excretion  Ammonotelism  Ureotelism Human excretory system-structure and function  Urine formulation Osmoregulation  Regulation of kidney function
Locomotion & Movement	Types of movement ciliary, flagellar, muscular Skeletal muscle – contractile proteins and muscle  Disorders of muscular and skeletal system, Muscular dystrophy  Arthritis  Osteoporosis and Gout
Natural Control & Coordination	Human nervous system  Central Nervous system  Peripheral Nervous system and Visceral Nervous system  Structure of a neuron Generation and conduction of nerve impulse
Plant Growth & Development	Phases and rate of plant growth  Condition of growth  Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation  Growth regulators-auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene  Photoperiodism  Vernalisation

KCET Biology Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

Chapters	Topics
Microbes for Human Welfare	Microbes in household products  Microbes In Industrial Product Microbes In Sewage Treatment  Microbes In The Production Of Biogas Microbes As Biocontrol Agents  Microbes As Biofertilizers
Biotech Principles & Processes	Principles of Biotechnology Tools of Recombination  DNA Technology  Restriction Enzymes  Cloning Vectors  Processes of Recombinant DNA Technology Isolation of the Genetic Material (DNA) Obtaining the Foreign Gene Product
Biotech – Applications	Biotechnology Applications in Agricultural BT Cotton  Biotechnological Applications in Medicine, Genetically Engineered Insulin  Gene Therapy
Organism & Population	Organisms and its Environment  Major Abiotic Factors Responses to Abiotic Factors  Adaptations  Population Attributes  Population Growth  Population Interactions
Ecosystem	Ecosystem Structure and Function  Productivity  Decomposition  Ecological Pyramids  Succession of Plants  Nutrient Cycling  Ecosystem Carbon Cycle  Ecosystem Services

KCET Exam Pattern 2020

Candidates should also be well-versed with the KCET paper pattern to frame an ideal preparation plan. Some major highlights of KCET 2020 exam pattern are as under:

1. The mode of exam is offline, i.e. pen and paper based
2. There are multiple type questions in the KCET question paper
3. KCET exam will be held separately for Mathematics/Biology, Chemistry and Physics 
4. Every subject contains 60 objective type questions 
5. Candidates will have 80 minutes to solve each KCET question paper
6. One mark is given for every right answer
7. No provision of negative marking is there in the question paper

Learn about the exam timings and section-wise breakup of questions in the below given table:

KCET Exam Timings and Section-wise Questions

Exam Schedule	Exam Timings	Section-wise Questions
July 30, 2020	10.30 am to 11.50 am (Biology) & 02.30 pm to 03.50 pm (Mathematics)	60 each (in Biology and Mathematics)
July 31, 2020	10.30 am to 11.50 am (Physics) & 02.30 pm to 03.50 pm (Chemistry)	60 each (in Physics and Chemistry)
August 1, 2020	11.30 am to 12.30 pm (Kannada Language Test)	–

Most Recommended Books for KCET 2020 Preparation

Apart from the NCERT text books, experts suggest the below-listed books for KCET exam preparation:

Sections	Books
Physics	Objective Physics MCQ – By Disha Experts
Chemistry	Karnataka CET Chemistry – By Ravinder Chadha
Mathematics	Karnataka CET Maths – By D.P Arora
Biology	Objective Biology MCQ – By Disha Experts
For all subjects	Karnataka CET Solved Paper of 16 Years – By Arihant

KCET Syllabus – FAQs 

✔️ What is the mode of KCET exam?

KCET exam will be held in offline mode i.e pen and paper-based method. Candidates must follow the exam-related instructions as given in the KCET admit card to fill the OMR sheets in an ideal manner.

✔️ Is the KCET 2020 syllabus covered in NCERT books

Yes, candidates must refer to NCERT books of class 11th & 12th to cover the overall KCET syllabus 2020. These NCERT textbooks cover all the related topics and sections impeccably.

✔️ How many marks are allotted for correct answers in KCET exam? Is there any clause for negative marking?

As per the marking scheme of KCET exam, candidates will get one mark for every right response and no deduction of marks is applicable on wrong answers.

✔️ If I mark different answers in the KCET question paper in both English and Kannada language, will I be given marks?

In such a case, the answer given in English will be considered and if it is right, 1 mark shall be awarded to the candidates.