KCET Physics Syllabus: Subjects, Year-Wise, Weightage

The Karnataka Pre-University Education Board's Class 11 and 12 NCERT curriculum serves as the foundation for the KCET 2025 Physics syllabus. Its main objectives are to assess a candidate's grasp of basic physics ideas, application abilities, and capacity for numerical problem-solving. The purpose of the questions is to evaluate theoretical knowledge as well as practical comprehension of physical phenomena.

Preparing for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to core subjects like Physics. If a student is planning to appear for KCET 2025, having a thorough understanding of the Physics syllabus is the first step toward success.

KCET Physics Syllabus 2025 Overview

The KCET 2025 Physics syllabus is based on the 1st and 2nd-year PUC curriculum as prescribed by the Department of Pre-University Education, Karnataka. The exam will feature 60 multiple-choice questions from Physics, testing your understanding of concepts, formulas, and their applications.

You will find topics ranging from Kinematics and Thermodynamics in the first year to Electrostatics and Modern Physics in the second year. Equal importance is given to both years, so balanced preparation is key.

KCET 2025 Physics Syllabus - First Year PUC

The KCET 2025 Physics syllabus is categorised based on the Karnataka Pre-University Course (PUC) structure. The syllabus is divided into two major sections: topics from the First Year PUC and the Second Year PUC. Each section contains essential chapters that form the foundation for the Physics paper in the KCET exam. Below is the table that outlines the topics covered in the First Year PUC academic year, enabling you to prioritise your study plan according to topic relevance and weightage.

 

These topics form the base of physics, and many questions in the exam directly test these fundamental concepts. Focus more on Thermodynamics, Kinematics, and Oscillations as they carry higher weightage.

Read More:

KCET Syllabus

KCET 2025 Physics Syllabus - Second Year PUC

Below is the table that outlines the topics covered in the second year PUC academic year:

Students should give special attention to topics like Current Electricity, Wave Optics, Communication Systems, and Semiconductor Electronics, as they tend to appear frequently and carry substantial weightage.

KCET Physics Syllabus 2025 Deleted Topics

The KCET 2025 syllabus has seen a few deletions, especially to lighten the load for students. Here are the portions that have been officially excluded. Candidates can exclude these from their preparation so that they can focus on the topics that will appear in the exam.

KCET 2025 Physics Important Chapters by Marks

This table helps you prioritise your study schedule. Spend more time on chapters that offer higher returns in terms of marks.

Relevant Links:

KCET Mathematics Syllabus

KCET Chemistry Syllabus

KCET Biology Syllabus

KCET 2025 Physics Exam Format

Understanding the format helps students in building speed and accuracy. Practice solving previous year's question papers within the time limit to improve performance.

• Total Questions: 60 (All MCQs)
• Total Marks: 60
• Duration: 1 hour 12 minutes
• Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer, no negative marking
• Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper Based)

Preparation Tips for KCET 2025 Physics

Preparing for KCET Physics isn’t just about reading chapters—it’s about developing a strategy that works smart and hard. If you're aiming to score well in this section, your focus should be on understanding concepts, applying them accurately, and managing time during the exam. Below are targeted, non-generic tips tailored for KCET 2025 Physics that you can implement right away:

1) Master the Basics First: No Exceptions

Before you dive into complex problems on Electromagnetic Induction or Wave Optics, pause. Ask yourself: Do I understand what potential energy or acceleration means? Many students try to tackle high-level MCQs without having clarity on basic laws like Newton’s Laws of Motion or the concept of force and vectors. KCET questions might look simple, but they test your depth of understanding. Make sure you’re clear on every small concept from your 1st PUC chapters before moving on to anything advanced.

Tip: Try explaining a Physics law to a friend in your own words. If you can do that confidently, you’ve understood it.

2) NCERT Is Not Optional: It’s Essential

We can’t stress this enough: NCERT textbooks are the backbone of the KCET syllabus. Most Physics questions are directly lifted from the NCERT explanations, solved examples, or end-of-chapter exercises. Don’t treat NCERT like background reading. Study it like your primary weapon.

What to do?

• Highlight definitions and laws
• Practice every solved and unsolved example
• Understand the logic behind derivations—don’t just memorise them

3) Build Concept Maps & Flowcharts for Tricky Topics

Some chapters, like Thermodynamics, Communication Systems, and Magnetic Effect,s involve multiple processes, laws, and steps that can easily confuse you. Instead of reading paragraphs again and again, create flowcharts or mind maps to visualise the connections.

For example:

• In Thermodynamics, create a flow that links laws → processes (isothermal, adiabatic) → graphs → real-world applications
• In Electromagnetic Induction, map out Faraday’s Law, Lenz’s Law, and their outcomes with visuals

These visual aids can save you from last-minute panic.

4) Practice with Full-Length Mock Tests (At Least One Weekly)

Doing 10 small quizzes isn’t as effective as doing 1 full-length, timed mock test every week. The real challenge of KCET Physics isn’t just knowing the answer, it’s finding it quickly and accurately in under 72 minutes (for 60 questions).

Use mocks to:

• Train your brain to handle exam pressure
• Develop a rhythm of solving questions in batches (first easy, then medium, then hard)
• Spot patterns in what kind of mistakes you often make (unit conversion errors, calculation errors, etc.)

5) Solve the Last 5–10 Years of KCET Papers: Seriously

KCET has a reputation for repeating question types and sometimes even similar numerical values. You won’t know this unless you analyse past papers.

What to look for:

• Frequently asked topics (e.g., Questions from Current Electricity, Oscillations)
• Favourite numerical types (e.g., Questions involving potential difference, Ohm’s Law)
• Common conceptual traps

Tip: Create a spreadsheet to track how often each chapter appears in KCET papers.

6) Structured Revision Beats Random Reading

Revising chapters randomly often leads to you skipping the tough ones unconsciously. Instead, use a weekly revision plan.

How to structure it:

• Week 1: Revise mechanics and motion
• Week 2: Focus on heat and thermodynamics
• Week 3: Electricity and magnetism
• Week 4: Optics and modern physics

And repeat the cycle—this ensures nothing gets left behind.

7) Focus More on High-Weightage Topics (Use Data, Not Guesswork)

Based on the KCET syllabus breakdown and weightage analysis:

• Thermodynamics, Oscillations, Current Electricity, Communication Systems, and Magnetism are hot zones.
• Don’t treat every chapter equally—your time is precious. Spend 60% of your study time on high-weightage chapters and 40% on the rest.

Tip: For each chapter, identify the 5 most likely to be asked concepts and master them deeply.

8) Create Formula Flashcards: But With Meaning, Not Just Memory

You’ll deal with 100+ equations by the time you’re done with KCET Physics. But rote memorisation is a trap. Use flashcards to not just list formulas, but also:

• Include when to use them
• Add a quick example on the back
• Include units and dimensional formulas

Carry these cards around. Quick 5-minute flips can be lifesavers before tests or coaching classes.

Tip: Use Short Practice Windows Daily

Instead of cramming for 3 hours on a weekend, try 30-minute focused Physics sessions every day. This helps with retention, keeps concepts fresh, and avoids burnout.

Why Physics Matters in KCET?

Physics plays a crucial role in KCET, especially for students targeting engineering, architecture, and technology-related fields. Understanding the logic behind formulas, applying principles to real-world situations, and interpreting graphical data are all part of the physics paper skills that will also help in professional courses ahead.

Conclusion

KCET Physics Syllabus 2025 might seem vast at first glance, but with a structured approach, you can easily manage and master it. Break your preparation into daily and weekly goals, focus on one chapter at a time, and don’t forget to track your progress.

Remember, consistency and clarity of concepts are more important than mugging up formulas. Follow the syllabus closely, avoid the deleted topics, and stay calm. Physics is all about understanding how the world works, and once it clicks, you’ll find it not just manageable, but enjoyable too.