KCET 2026 Live Updates: Physics Paper Ends, Chemistry Next; Difficulty Analysis and Student Reactions

The KCET 2026 Physics paper was theory-heavy and moderate in difficulty, leading to expectations of a higher cutoff. Students are currently appearing for the Chemistry paper, with the remaining subjects scheduled for tomorrow.

The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 2026 has officially kicked off today across hundreds of centers in the state. With over 3.3 lakh students registered this year—including a record number of 1.86 lakh female candidates—the stakes for engineering and pharmacy seats are higher than ever.

As of now, the Physics paper (Shift 1) has concluded, and students are currently preparing for or entering the halls for the Chemistry paper, which is scheduled for the afternoon session.

Physics Paper Analysis: A Theory-Heavy “Curveball”

The first session of the day, Physics, ran from 10:30 AM to 11:50 AM. Early feedback from students walking out of the exam halls suggests a shift in the traditional pattern. Unlike previous years, where complex numerical problems dominated the paper, the 2026 Physics paper leaned heavily toward conceptual theory.

Key Highlights of the Physics Paper:

Difficulty Level: Most students rated the paper as “Easy to Moderate.” Many noted it was significantly more accessible than the 2025 paper.
Syllabus Distribution: As per KEA guidelines, roughly 75% of questions were from the Second PUC syllabus, while the remaining 25% came from the First PUC.
High-Weightage Topics: Mechanics and Electrodynamics saw the highest representation, accounting for nearly 40% of the paper. Modern Physics and Optics followed closely.
The Surprise Factor: The lack of long-form calculations allowed many students to finish the 60 questions within the allotted 80 minutes. However, those who relied solely on memorizing formulas without understanding core concepts found the theory questions tricky.

“The paper was surprisingly straightforward. I was expecting the usual heavy math, but there were a lot of direct conceptual questions. If you read the NCERT thoroughly, you’re in a good spot,” said Rohan, an aspirant at a Bengaluru center.

KCET 2026 Chemistry Paper Underway

The second shift for Chemistry began at 2:30 PM and is expected to conclude at 3:50 PM. Traditionally, Chemistry is considered a “score booster” for KCET candidates. Experts suggest that if the Chemistry paper follows the Physics trend of being moderate, the overall cutoffs for 2026 might skyrocket. Students are advised to stay hydrated as temperatures rise across Karnataka and to ensure they have their admit cards ready for the second round of verification.

What’s Next? The 50:50 Formula

Candidates are reminded that the KCET rank is not determined by the entrance score alone. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) uses a 50:50 weightage system:

50% weightage is given to the KCET marks (Physics, Chemistry, and Math/Biology).
50% weightage is given to the Class 12/2nd PUC board exam marks in the same subjects.

This formula makes today’s performance critical, especially for those who performed well in their board exams.

Important Dates & Results

April 24: Mathematics (Morning) and Biology (Afternoon) papers.
Provisional Answer Key: Expected by the first week of May 2026.
Results: Tentatively scheduled for late May or the first week of June 2026.

Stay tuned for the live link to download the KCET 2026 Physics Question Paper and Answer Key as unofficial versions from top coaching institutes are expected to be released by late evening today.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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