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 theΒ  1stΒ and 2ndΒ year PUC (Pre-university Course) syllabus,Β around which the KCET syllabus revolves.Β 

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.Β 

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.Β 

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KCET Syllabus – OverviewΒ Β 

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.Β 

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:Β 

KCET Mathematics Syllabus Based on PUC Ist Year

ChaptersΒ  Topics
Introduction to 3D Geometry
  1. Coordinate axes and coordinate planes in three dimensionsΒ 
  2. Coordinates of a pointΒ 
  3. Distance between two pointsΒ 
  4. Section formula and problems
Mathematical ReasoningΒ 
  1. Definition of proposition and problemsΒ 
  2. Logical connectivesΒ 
  3. Compound propositionΒ 
  4. QuantifierΒ 
  5. Negation problems
Statistics
  1. Measure of dispersionΒ 
  2. RangeΒ 
  3. Mean deviationΒ 
  4. Variance and standard deviation of ungrouped/grouped dataΒ 
  5. Analysis of frequency distributions
Principle Of Mathematical Induction
  1. Process of the proof by inductionΒ 
  2. Motivating the application of the method by looking at natural numbersΒ 
  3. The principle of mathematical inductionΒ 
  4. Simple problems based on summation
Complex Numbers And Quadratic Equations
  1. Need for complex numbers, especially √
  2. Brief description of algebraic properties of complex numbersΒ 
  3. Solution of quadratic equations in the complex number systemΒ 
  4. Square-root of a Complex number given in supplement and problems
Linear Inequalities
  1. Linear inequalitiesΒ 
  2. Algebraic solutions of linear inequalities in one variable
  3. Graphical solution of linear inequalities in two variablesΒ 
  4. Solution of system of linear inequalities in two variables -graphically and examples
Permutation And Combination
  1. Fundamental principle of counting
  2. Factorial andΒ Permutations
  3. Permutation when all the objects are not distinct, problems. Combinations: Definition, examplesΒ 
  4. ProvingΒ nCr=Β nPr r!,Β nCr =Β nCn-r;Β nCr +nCr-1 =Β n+1Cr
Binomial TheoremΒ 
  1. Statement and proof of the binomial theorem for positive integral indicesΒ 
  2. Pascal’s triangle, general and middle term in binomial expansionΒ 
  3. Problems based on expansion finding any term, term independent of x, middle term, coefficient of xrΒ .
SetsΒ 
  1. Empty SetΒ 
  2. Finite and Infinite setsΒ 
  3. Equal setsΒ 
  4. SubsetsΒ 
  5. Subsets of the set of real numbers especially intervals (with notations)Β 
  6. Power setΒ 
  7. Universal setΒ 
  8. Union and intersection of setsΒ 
  9. Difference of setsΒ 
  10. Complement of a setΒ 
  11. Properties of Complement setsΒ 
  12. Simple practical problems on union and intersection of two sets

KCET Mathematics Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

ChaptersΒ  TopicsΒ 
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
  1. DefinitionΒ 
  2. RangeΒ 
  3. DomainΒ 
  4. Principal value branchesΒ 
  5. Mentioning domainΒ 
  6. Range of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functionsΒ 
  7. Conversion of one inverse trigonometric function to another
MatricesΒ 
  1. Column matrixΒ 
  2. Row matrixΒ 
  3. Rectangular matrixΒ 
  4. Square matrixΒ 
  5. Zero matrixΒ 
  6. Diagonal matrixΒ 
  7. Scalar matrix and unit matrixΒ 
  8. Equality of matricesΒ 
  9. Scalar multiplication of matricesΒ 
  10. Transpose of a matrixΒ 
  11. Symmetric and skew symmetric matrices
  12. Concept of elementary row and column operations
Applications of IntegralsΒ 
  1. Area under the curveΒ 
  2. Area under simple curves, especially lines, arcs of circles/parabolas/ellipsesΒ 
  3. Area bounded by two above said curves: problems
Linear ProgrammingΒ 
  1. Introduction of L.P.P.Β 
  2. Definition of constraintsΒ 
  3. Objective functionΒ 
  4. OptimizationΒ 
  5. Constraint equationsΒ 
  6. Non- negativity restrictionsΒ 
  7. Mathematical formulation-mathematical formulation of L.P.PΒ 
  8. 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

ChaptersΒ  TopicsΒ 
Some Basic Concepts of ChemistryΒ 
  1. General introduction: Importance and scope of chemistryΒ 
  2. Properties of matter and their measurement
  3. Laws of chemical combinationΒ 
  4. Dalton’s atomic theoryΒ 
  5. Atomic and molecular massesΒ 
  6. Avogadro constant, mole and molar massΒ 
  7. Reactions in solutions
Classification of Elements & Periodicity in PropertiesΒ 
  1. Significance of classificationΒ 
  2. Mendeleev periodic lawΒ 
  3. Henry Moseley observation based on X- ray spectra of elements, account of groups, periods, s, p, d and f blocksΒ 
  4. Periodic trends in properties of elements with reason
ThermodynamicsΒ 
  1. Thermodynamic terms – concepts of system, surroundings, Internal energy: as a state function, work and heatΒ 
  2. Exothermic and endothermic reactionsΒ 
  3. Heat capacity & specific heatΒ 
  4. Thermochemical equations- examples , enthalpy of a reactionΒ 
  5. Spontaneous and non-spontaneous processes
Redox ReactionsΒ 
  1. Concept of oxidation and reductionΒ 
  2. Redox reactionsΒ 
  3. Oxidation numberΒ 
  4. Oxidation, reduction, oxidizing agent/oxidantΒ 
  5. Types of redox reactions
HydrogenΒ 
  1. Position of hydrogen in periodic tableΒ 
  2. Reaction with halogens, dioxygen, physical properties, chemical properties, dinitrogen, Hydrides – classificationΒ 
  3. Dihydrogen as a fuel – meaning of hydrogen economy
s – Block ElementsΒ 
  1. Group – I & Group – II: elements electronic configuration, occurrence, trends in ionization enthalpy, hydration enthalpy, atomic and ionic radiiΒ 
  2. Anomalous properties of lithiumΒ 
  3. Preparation and properties of some compounds
  4. Biological importance of sodium and potassium
Some p – Block ElementsΒ 
  1. General introduction to p– block elements-electronic configuration, oxidation states, inert pair effect, anomalous behaviour of first member of each groupΒ 
  2. Group 13 elementsΒ 
  3. Group – 14 elements, Carbon: anomalous behaviour, reason, catenation, allotropic form
Environmental Chemistry
  1. Environmental pollutionΒ 
  2. Air pollution or troposphere pollution
  3. Stratospheric PollutionΒ 
  4. Water pollutionΒ 
  5. Soil pollutionΒ 
  6. Strategies to control environmental pollutionΒ 
  7. Green chemistry: Introduction, green chemistry in day-to-day life

KCET Chemistry Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

Chapters TopicsΒ 
Solid StateΒ 
  1. General characteristics of solids: amorphous and crystalline solidsΒ 
  2. Classification of crystalline solidsΒ 
  3. Definitions – lattice point, crystal lattice, unit cell, coordination numberΒ 
  4. Close packing in two dimensional and three dimensional latticesΒ 
  5. Point defects-typesΒ 
  6. Electrical properties
SolutionsΒ 
  1. Types of Solutions – binary – gaseous, liquid and solidsΒ 
  2. Solution of liquid in liquidΒ 
  3. Solution of a solid in a liquidΒ 
  4. Raoult’s lawΒ 
  5. Numerical problems on determination of molar mass using colligative propertiesΒ 
  6. Abnormal molar mass
Surface ChemistryΒ 
  1. Adsorption: adsorbate, adsorbent, examples, distinction between adsorption and absorptionΒ 
  2. Physisorption and chemisorptionΒ 
  3. Catalysis: homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysisΒ 
  4. Classification of colloids-types of colloidal systemsΒ 
  5. Properties of colloids: Tyndall effectΒ 
  6. Brownian movement
General Principles & Processes of Element Isolation
  1. 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 metalsΒ 
  2. Refining: principles and examples each for distillation
Coordination CompoundsΒ 
  1. General introduction to salts, difference between double salt and coordination, Coordination entity, central metal ion, coordination numberΒ 
  2. Werner’s theoryΒ 
  3. CFT (crystal field theory)Β 
  4. Spectrochemical series, compare weak field ligandΒ 
  5. IsomerismΒ 
  6. StereoisomerismΒ 
  7. Importance of coordination compounds
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
  1. Classification based on hybridization of carbon, Preparation from alcoholsΒ 
  2. Physical propertiesΒ 
  3. Reactions of haloalkanesΒ 
  4. Nucleophilic substitution reactionsΒ 
  5. Optical isomerismΒ 
  6. Elimination reaction ( ß elimination
  7. HaloarenesΒ 
  8. Electrophilic substitution reactions for chlorobenzeneΒ 
  9. Reaction with metals
Alcohol, Phenols, and EthersΒ 
  1. Classification: mono, di, tri ,allylic, and benzylic alcohols, mono, di and trihydric phenols
  2. Preparation of alcoholsΒ 
  3. Preparation of phenolΒ 
  4. Physical and Chemical properties of primary alcoholsΒ 
  5. Esterification and acylation of alcohols/phenols
  6. Reactions of phenol
Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen
  1. Amines: Structure of amines, classification
  2. Methods of preparation: Reduction of nitrobenzene, reduction of nitrile and amide
  3. Physical and Chemical propertiesΒ 
  4. Diazonium saltsΒ 
  5. Retention of diazo group
PolymersΒ 
  1. Polymer, monomer, polymerization, macromoleculeΒ 
  2. Classification: source, structure, types (mode) of polymerizationΒ 
  3. Methods of polymerizationΒ 
  4. Name of monomer/s and partial structure for the polymersΒ 
  5. RubberΒ 
  6. Non-biodegradable polymers
BiomoleculesΒ 
  1. Carbohydrates: classification-based on hydrolysisΒ 
  2. GlucoseΒ 
  3. DisaccharideΒ 
  4. PolysaccharidesΒ 
  5. ProteinsΒ 
  6. Classification of Ξ±-amino acidsΒ 
  7. HormonesΒ 
  8. VitaminsΒ 
  9. Nucleic acids
Chemistry in Everyday LifeΒ 
  1. Chemicals in medicines: drugs, chemotherapy – different classes of drugs- antacids, etc.
  2. 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

ChaptersΒ  TopicsΒ 
Physical WorldΒ 
  1. Scope and excitement of physicsΒ 
  2. Physics, technology and societyΒ 
  3. Mention of fundamental forces in nature
  4. Nature of physical laws
Unit of MeasurementΒ 
  1. Unit of measurementΒ 
  2. System of unitsΒ 
  3. SI unitsΒ 
  4. Fundamental and derived unitsΒ 
  5. Length, mass and time measurements
  6. Accuracy and precision of measuring instrumentsΒ 
  7. Dimensions of physical quantities – Dimensional analysis and its applications
Motion in a Straight LineΒ 
  1. Definitions of path length and displacement
  2. Definitions of average speed and average velocity, instantaneous speed and instantaneous velocity & uniform and non-uniform motionΒ 
  3. Uniformly accelerated motionΒ 
  4. Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration for describing motion
GravitationΒ 
  1. Kepler’s laws of planetary motionΒ 
  2. Acceleration due to gravity: Derivation of relation between g and G
  3. Gravitational potential energy: Derivation of gravitational potential energyΒ 
  4. Earth satellites
Mechanical Properties of SolidsΒ 
  1. Elasticity and plasticityΒ 
  2. Elastic behavior of solidsΒ 
  3. Stress and strainΒ 
  4. Hooke’s lawΒ 
  5. Stress-strain curveΒ 
  6. Elastic moduli: Definitions and expressions of Young’s modulusΒ 
  7. Bulk modulus
Mechanical Properties of FluidsΒ 
  1. PressureΒ 
  2. Derivation of pressure at a point inside a liquid
  3. Gauge pressureΒ 
  4. Pascal’s law: Statement and its applications, Streamline flowΒ 
  5. Bernoulli’s principleΒ 
  6. ViscosityΒ 
  7. Reynolds numberΒ 
  8. Surface tension
ThermodynamicsΒ 
  1. Thermal equilibriumΒ 
  2. Laws of ThermodynamicsΒ 
  3. Adiabatic processΒ 
  4. Heat enginesΒ 
  5. RefrigeratorsΒ 
  6. Reversible and irreversible processes
Kinetic TheoryΒ 
  1. Equation of state of a perfect gasΒ 
  2. Kinetic theory of an ideal gasΒ 
  3. Degrees of freedomΒ 
  4. Law of equipartition of energy: Statement and application to specific heat capacities of monatomic, diatomic and polyatomic gases
  5. Concept of mean free path
OscillationsΒ 
  1. Periodic and oscillatory motion: Definitions of Period and FrequencyΒ 
  2. Displacement as a function of time
  3. Periodic functions
  4. Simple harmonic motion
  5. Oscillations due to a spring

KCET Physics Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

ChaptersΒ  TopicsΒ 
Magnetism & MatterΒ 
  1. Bar magnet: Properties of magnetic field lines
  2. Gauss law in magnetismΒ 
  3. Earth’s magnetic field and its elements
  4. Magnetic properties of materialsΒ 
  5. HysteresisΒ 
  6. Hysteresis loop, definitions of retentivity and coercivity
Electromagnetic InductionΒ 
  1. Experiments of Faraday and HenryΒ 
  2. Lenz’s law, Inductance – Mutual inductance
  3. Self-inductanceΒ 
  4. AC generator
Alternating CurrentΒ 
  1. Mention of expression for instantaneous, peak and rms values of alternating current and voltageΒ 
  2. AC voltage applied to a resistorΒ 
  3. AC voltage applied to an inductorΒ 
  4. AC voltage applied to series LCR circuit
  5. Mention of expression for power in ac circuit
  6. LC oscillations
Electromagnetic WavesΒ 
  1. Displacement currentΒ 
  2. Need for displacement current
  3. Expression for displacement current
  4. Expression for Ampere-Maxwell law
  5. Electromagnetic waves
  6. Electromagnetic spectrumΒ 
Atoms
  1. Alpha particle scatteringΒ 
  2. Schematic diagram of Geiger-Marsden experimentΒ 
  3. Rutherford’s model of an atomΒ 
  4. Atomic spectra
  5. Bohr model of hydrogen atomΒ 
  6. Derivation of energy of electron in stationary states of hydrogen atom
NucleiΒ 
  1. Definition of atomic mass unitΒ 
  2. Isotopes, isobars and isotonesΒ 
  3. Explanation of mass defect and binding energy
  4. Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
  5. Radioactivity
Communication SystemsΒ 
  1. Block diagram of generalized communication systemΒ 
  2. TransducerΒ 
  3. SignalΒ 
  4. NoiseΒ 
  5. TransmitterΒ 
  6. ReceiverΒ 
  7. Attenuation
  8. Bandwidth of transmission medium for coaxial cable, free space and optical fibersΒ 
  9. 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

ChaptersΒ  Topics
Body Fluids & CirculationΒ 
  1. Composition of bloodΒ 
  2. Blood groupsΒ 
  3. Coagulation of bloodΒ 
  4. Composition and functions of LymphΒ 
  5. Human circulatory systemΒ 
  6. Structure of human heart and blood vessels
  7. Disorders of circulatory system Hypertension
Excretory Products & their EliminationΒ 
  1. Modes of excretionΒ 
  2. AmmonotelismΒ 
  3. Ureotelism
  4. Human excretory system-structure and functionΒ 
  5. Urine formulation
  6. OsmoregulationΒ 
  7. Regulation of kidney function
Locomotion & MovementΒ 
  1. Types of movement ciliary, flagellar, muscular
  2. Skeletal muscle – contractile proteins and muscleΒ 
  3. Disorders of muscular and skeletal system, Muscular dystrophyΒ 
  4. ArthritisΒ 
  5. Osteoporosis and Gout
Natural Control & CoordinationΒ 
  1. Human nervous systemΒ 
  2. Central Nervous systemΒ 
  3. Peripheral Nervous system and Visceral Nervous systemΒ 
  4. Structure of a neuron
  5. Generation and conduction of nerve impulse
Plant Growth & DevelopmentΒ 
  1. Phases and rate of plant growthΒ 
  2. Condition of growthΒ 
  3. Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiationΒ 
  4. Growth regulators-auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethyleneΒ 
  5. PhotoperiodismΒ 
  6. Vernalisation

KCET Biology Syllabus Based on PUC IInd Year

ChaptersΒ  TopicsΒ 
Microbes for Human WelfareΒ 
  1. Microbes in household productsΒ 
  2. Microbes In Industrial Product
  3. Microbes In Sewage TreatmentΒ 
  4. Microbes In The Production Of Biogas
  5. Microbes As Biocontrol AgentsΒ 
  6. Microbes As Biofertilizers
Biotech Principles & ProcessesΒ 
  1. Principles of Biotechnology
  2. Tools of RecombinationΒ 
  3. DNA TechnologyΒ 
  4. Restriction EnzymesΒ 
  5. Cloning VectorsΒ 
  6. Processes of Recombinant DNA Technology
  7. Isolation of the Genetic Material (DNA)
  8. Obtaining the Foreign Gene Product
Biotech – ApplicationsΒ 
  1. Biotechnology Applications in Agricultural BT CottonΒ 
  2. Biotechnological Applications in Medicine, Genetically Engineered InsulinΒ 
  3. Gene Therapy
Organism & PopulationΒ 
  1. Organisms and its EnvironmentΒ 
  2. Major Abiotic Factors
  3. Responses to Abiotic FactorsΒ 
  4. AdaptationsΒ 
  5. Population AttributesΒ 
  6. Population GrowthΒ 
  7. Population Interactions
Ecosystem
  1. Ecosystem Structure and FunctionΒ 
  2. ProductivityΒ 
  3. DecompositionΒ 
  4. Ecological PyramidsΒ 
  5. Succession of PlantsΒ 
  6. Nutrient CyclingΒ 
  7. Ecosystem Carbon CycleΒ 
  8. 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 PhysicsΒ 
  4. Every subject contains 60 objective type questionsΒ 
  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

Scholarship Registration, Get Scholarship Update

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 subjectsΒ  Karnataka CET Solved Paper of 16 Years – By Arihant

KCET Syllabus – FAQsΒ 

βœ”οΈ 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.

βœ”οΈ 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.

βœ”οΈ 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.

βœ”οΈ 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.

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