SET 2026: The SET Exam is a university-level computer-based entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to various undergraduate programs at its institutes, including BBA, BCA, etc. The SET 2026 Exam will be held on 2 May and 10 May 2026. SET is conducted two times, and interested candidates can attempt the SET Exam on any of the scheduled dates. Also, if they choose to give the SET Exam two times, the highest of all scores will be considered. After the exam, the candidate will go through the selection process, which includes a Personal Interaction/Writing Test/Studio Test. Candidates must visit the official website for the latest updates and announcements.
The Symbiosis Entrance Test is an online, computer-based test conducted by the Symbiosis International University (Deemed University) for admissions to various undergraduate programs, including Management, Law, Engineering, Economics, Mass Communication, Computer Studies and Liberal Arts. The SET 2026 exam will be held on 2 May 2026 and 10 May 2026.
The application process for the SET Exam started on 12 December 2025 on the official website. Candidates who are interested in applying for SET 2026 can visit the official website and must register before the last date of application, which is 15 April 2026. Applicants must also note that they can appear for the SET Exam on both dates. If they do so, the higher score from either test will be considered for the final percentile/rank calculations. Also, there will be no normalisation of scores.
However, the candidate must check the eligibility criteria for the SET Exam before applying to avoid rejection or disqualification of their applications. The candidate requires a minimum of 50% marks in Class 12 to be eligible. Once the application process is over, the SIU will officially release the admit cards for SET Test 1 and Test 2 on 24 April 2026 and 30 April 2026, respectively.
The SET Exam will cover the syllabus from English, Quantitative, Analytical, and Logical Reasoning. There will be a total of 60 multiple-choice questions to be answered within a fixed duration of 1 hour, with no negative marking for unattempted or incorrect answers.
SET 2026 Exam Important Dates
Applicants must fulfil the eligibility requirements set by the various Symbiosis institutes that offer UG courses in fields such as Management, Liberal Arts, Media, Computer Studies, etc., to apply for the SET 2026 exam. The following is the detailed eligibility criterion for various programs under the SET Exam 2026:
Note*: SSLA Eligibility: For Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, the candidate is required to meet the specific criteria given below:
CBSE/ICSE/HSC: 50% (Open), 45% (SC/ST) in Class 12.
OR IB Cert/Diploma: 24+ credits, 3 HL + 3 SL subjects (Diploma: + EE, CAS, TOK; "Diploma Awarded").
OR GCE/IGCSE/GCSE: 5/4 subjects A/B/C at O Level (incl English) + 2/3 at A Level (total 7).
Apart from this, the eligibility requirements for Disabled Persons and Defence Category Candidates differ, which can be checked on the official website at https://www.set-test.org/differently.html.
The application form for the SET 2026 Exam is available online on the official website (set-test.org) from 12 December 2025. The last date to register and pay for the SET Exam is 15 April 2026. In addition, candidates should ensure that all the information in the application form is filled out accurately, as no changes to the application form will be permitted after the closing date.
The application fee for the SET Exam 2026 is INR 2250 per test, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Not only this, but the candidates also need to pay a separate programme registration fee of INR 1000 for every programme they want to apply for at the time of online registration.
The available payment methods for the SET2026 registration fee include Billdesk Payment Gateway, EEASEBUZZ Payment Gateway, and Demand Draft. Though if the candidate is doing the fee payment via a demand draft, he/she have to submit it to the Symbiosis Test Secretariat. Once the payment is confirmed, the candidate will be able to download the admit card.
Read more about the SET Application Here
SET Application Fee 2026
The application fee for the SET Exam 2026 is INR 2250 per test, and this fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under any situation. The SET application fee is not the only fee that candidates have to pay during the online registration. However, they also need to pay an additional program registration fee of INR 1000 per program. Candidates can pay through online modes or by submitting a Demand Draft (DD) from any Nationalized Bank in favor of Symbiosis Test Secretariat, payable at Pune. The deadline to submit to application form and make the payment is 15 April 2026. For more information, candidates can check the official website at set-test.org.
The following is the exam pattern for the SET 2026 exam:
Candidates will be awarded 1 mark for every correct answer according to the marking scheme followed for the SET Exam 2026. Meanwhile, there is no negative marking for the unattempted questions and incorrect answers, which is an advantage for the applicants. As a result, candidates can answer as many questions as they want without thinking of losing marks for incorrect answers.
The SET Exam syllabus is divided into 4 sections such as General English, Quantitative, General Awareness, and Analytical and Logical Reasoning. The following is the subject-wise breakdown of the SET exam syllabus:
The Symbiosis International University, the organising authority of the SET Exam will release the admit card for the SET 2026 on the official website. The SET 2026 admit card will be available on 24 April and 30 April 2026 for Test 1 and Test 2, respectively. The SET Admit Card is a vital document for the candidate that would allow them to enter the examination centre. It will have all the important details like the date of the test, timing, place, and other instructions to be followed on the examination day. The candidates should carry and present the SET 2026 admit card at the examination centre along with a photo ID to prove their identity and eligibility to take the test.
Read more about the SET Admit Card here
The results for the Symbiosis Entrance Test 2026 will be announced on 20 May 2026. The SET 2026 Test 1 and Test 2 will take place on 2 May and 10 May 2026. Candidates can view their results online at the official website (set-test.org) through their login ID and password on the portal. The SET 2026 exam result/scorecard comprises the candidate's name, registration/roll number, sectional marks for each of the subjects, and their total score.
Once the results for the SET 2026 exams are out, the merit lists will be prepared by the institutes involved based on cut-off marks declared in the SET, and qualified candidates will be eligible for selection rounds, which include the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interviews (PI).
Read more about SET Results Here
The cutoff scores expected for the Symbiosis Entrance Test 2026 differ by program and institute. The candidates from the general category usually need a score of around 80-100 for UG programs, whereas candidates from reserved categories may have lower cutoffs. The cutoff for specific programs, such as BBA and BA LLB, can range from 30-102 based on the previous year’s trend.
After the SET results are declared officially, the officials will declare the category-wise cutoff for the merit list and wait list. Besides, the following are the parameters that will be taken into consideration for the Merit List declaration for SET 2026:
The level of difficulty of the SET exam 2026 is usually moderate. Nevertheless, the Quantitative Aptitude section is slightly tougher compared to the rest of the sections and needs proper preparation.
The following are simple yet effective tips for the candidates to achieve higher marks in the SET 2026:
1. Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: First, know about the SET Exam pattern. There are various SET exams, such as SET-General for BBA, Liberal Arts, etc., SLAT for law programs, SEED for design programs, and SITEEE for engineering.
Today, we are focusing on SET-General, which is the most popular.
SET-General Exam Pattern (as per past years):
Time: 60 minutes (objective/MCQs test)
No. of Questions: 60
Sections: General English (16 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (16 questions), General Awareness (16 questions), and Analytical & Logical Reasoning (12 questions).
WAT (Writing Ability Test): Subject to Shortlist after MCQ test.
2. Do Section-wise Preparation
- Topics of General English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Synonyms/Antonyms.
- Helpful Tips:
- Read newspapers.
- Practice RCs daily from materials like GMAT or CAT-level study guides.
- Use the dictionary and Vocabulary apps.
- Grammar practice using Wren & Martin or other websites.
- Topics from Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Data Interpretation.
- Helpful Tips:
- Practice speed and accuracy.
- Use books such as RS Aggarwal or Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma.
- Practice with mock tests and record your time.
- Topics from General Awareness: Current Affairs (last 6 months), Static GK (history, geography, economics, etc.)
- Helpful Tips:
- Read current affairs on a daily basis.
- Adhere to monthly GK capsules.
- Make a GK notebook for revision.
- Topics for Analytical & Logical Reasoning: Puzzles, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Series, Direction Sense, Syllogisms.
- Helpful Tips:
- Practice from RS Aggarwal's Logical Reasoning book.
- Practice puzzles and reasoning sets on a daily basis.
- Develop tricks and shortcuts to improve accuracy.
3. WAT (Writing Ability Test): WAT is a short essay test administered after the MCQ round.
Helpful Tips:
Keep yourself updated with social and current affairs.
Practice writing short essays (200-250 words) on current affairs.
Develop clarity, structure (Intro-Body-Conclusion), grammar, and coherence.
4. Create a Study Plan for Every Day: Make a simple study plan and make time for all subjects. The following is a simple example to guide you, but it's not fixed for everyone:
5. Book Suggestions:
Word Power Made Easy: English
Lucent GK: GK
Arun Sharma: Quant
RS Aggarwal: Reasoning
6. Mock Tests & Time Management
Begin with 1 mock test/week from 2-3 months prior to the exam.
Review your errors and monitor weak spots.
Work on utilizing 60 minutes effectively and provide equal importance to all sections.
7. General Tips
Maintain consistency and prevent burnout.
Pay greater attention to accuracy rather than trying to answer all questions. But also keep in mind, there is no negative marking.
Revision is of utmost importance. Keep flashcards or impromptu notes.
Participate in online forums for doubt removal and group study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, candidates can appear for both Test 1 and Test 2. If you do, the higher score among the two attempts will be considered for admission. There is no normalization of scores.
No, there is no age restriction for appearing in the SET exam. However, you must meet the academic eligibility criteria, such as passing Class 12 with the required marks.
The official notification for SET 2026 is released in December 2025, and the application window will remain open until 15 April 2025.
No, there is no negative marking in the SET exam. Incorrect or unattempted questions receive zero marks, which allows candidates to attempt all questions without penalty.