All About Symbiosis UG Entrance Test (SET) 2026- Admission process, Exam Pattern and Top Courses.

All About Symbiosis UG Entrance Test (SET) 2026- Admission process, Exam Pattern and Top Courses.

If you’re a Class 12 student or a parent of a child studying in class 12, and exploring top private universities in India, there are high chances that you have already heard this name before somewhere, and that is Symbiosis. The immediate question that follows is what actually SET is, and whether it is compulsory to take SET to get admission into Symbiosis. You might also want to know what all courses you will be getting after taking SET and entering Symbiosis, I am sure.

 Well! You are not late, so don’t worry. You are not confused, either. So, relax! You are exactly where you should be. Go ahead reading this blog where I am going to tell you everything about Symbiosis Undergraduate Entrance Test.  This blog will be a no jargon zone for you as I am going to explain the details in the simplest manner. The blog will include the information on what SET is, who should take this exam, the pattern of the exam, how the exam works, and which courses you can get through it.

What Is SET : What exactly is Symbiosis Entrance Test?

SET (Symbiosis Undergraduate Entrance Test) is the official entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission into its undergraduate programmes. So, if you have decided or have in your mind to study the courses like BBA, Data science, BCA, BA/BSc, Economics, Liberal Arts, Mass communications and others at Symbiosis institutes which are there across India, then SET is your gateway. You can consider SET as the only entrance door that opens into multiple symbiosis colleges. So, if you want to get into Symbiosis, then you have to write SET.

Why SET Matters :

There are various reasons why SET matters in 2026.

1. Symbiosis is one of India’s most reputed private universities

2. Seats are limited
3. Competition is increasing every year
4. Many courses do not consider board marks alone

So, instead of depending solely on the scores of class 12, Symbiosis uses the scores of SET to shortlist the candidates who are serious and prepared. The exam is for students who are:

1.Not obsessed only with boards

2. Looking for skill-oriented UG courses

3. Interested in management, tech, media, economics, or liberal arts

Who Conducts SET:

SET is conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University). It is a Pune-based, UGC-recognised, NAAC accredited. Whenever you want to get the official updates, information about applications, and results are updates on the official portals of Symbiosis admission. No other party or the counselling body conducts SET.

Eligibility Criteria:

The eligibility criteria of SET 2026 are simple but important.

1. The student should have passed or appearing in class 12 from a recognised board.
   1. Student can be of any stream like Science, Commerce, Arts, depending on the course.
   1. 50 % aggregate marks in class 12.
   1. 45% marks in class 12 for SC ST categories.

However, the exact eligibility may vary slightly according to the course you are applying for . So, it is recommended to check the specific programme requirements while applying.

Admission Process:

Let us see the admission process of SET 2026 in detail, step by step, because this is the area where students get confused. So, let me break it down in clearly.

Step 1:

The very first step is to register for SET 2026. You can apply online on the official website of Symbiosis, and choose SET test. After choosing the SET test, you can select the courses and institutes you want to apply to, and pay the application fees. Please note that you can apply to multiple courses, but some courses may require separate registration and additional selection rounds too.

Step 2:

Now is the time to appear for SET 2026. This is a computer based test. It is conducted online. The test is usually held in multiple slots. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. There is no negative marking for the incorrect answers.

Step 3:

This is the time when the scores are released, and each Symbiosis institute releases its own shortlisted list. The shortlisting is based on SET score. Cut-offs differ according to course and campus. Honestly, High demand courses like BBA and BCA have higher cut offs.

Step 4:

After you have written the test, many of the courses demand Written Ability Test, commonly known as WAT or Personal Interview, commonly known as PI, because for many of the courses , admission does not end at SET. So, the shortlisted candidates after SET may be called for

1. WAT (Writing Ability Test – essay writing)

2. PI (Personal Interview)
3. Or both

These rounds check:

1. Communication skills

2. Clarity of thought
3. Awareness and personality
4. Course fit

Step 5:

After following all the above processes, the final merit list is released and the confirmation of admission is conveyed to the respective candidates. The final selection is based on:

1. SET score

2. WAT/PI performance
3. Academic record (in some cases)

Selected candidates then have to follow these three mandatory and important steps :

1. Accept the offer

2. Pay fees
3. Complete admission formalities

And BINGO! You are officially enrolled in a college that you had dreamt of .

Exam Pattern:

Let us see a simple breakdown of the SET 2026. So the SET paper typically is of 60 minutes. The total number of question that appear in the exam is 60. So, solving 60 questions in 60 minutes – not bad. These are the MCQ type questions where you are given the options with each question, and you have to choose one correct answer among them.

Marking Scheme:

There is one mark each allotted for every question, and no marks are deducted for incorrect answer.

Sections:

There are 4 sections in SET.

1. General English:

The section includes RC, Vocabulary, Grammar, Sentence Correction etc. The focus should be on Comprehension plus word usage, and not on cramming rules.

2. Quantitative Aptitude:

The next section is QA. It includes Arithmetic (percentages, ratios, averages), Basic algebra, Data interpretation, Logical calculations etc. You can expect the level of difficulty of Math of class 9 and 10, and not of JEE level.

3. General Awareness:

The next is the GA section which requires you to study Current affairs, Business & economy basics, Science & technology, and Static GK thoroughly . Reading newspaper and monthly GK should be enough to this section of SET. Do not forget to watch our weekly current affair updates on (Link of the channel OR link of the latest current affair video)

4. Analytical & Logical Reasoning:

The last section is AR & LR. This section includes Number series, Coding-decoding, Puzzles, Critical reasoning etc. Accuracy matters more than speed here.

Courses offered:

Since SET is not a one course exam, there are various courses which are offered by sister institutes of Symbiosis. The top courses offered through SET 2026 are BBA, BCA, BA/ BSc Liberal Arts, BA Mass communication, Media Studies, BSc Economics / Data Science / Applied Statistics etc. Let us see colleges that offer these courses. 

1. BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)

is best for students who are interested in Management and Entrepreneurship , and is offered by institutes like:

• Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies (SCMS), Pune
• SCMS Noida
• SCMS Nagpur
• SCMS Bengaluru

2. BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)

is good for you if you are interested in Software Development, IT or Data and Technology Careers. The course is offered at Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies & Research (SICSR), Pune

3. BA / BSc Liberal Arts

is ideal for students who want interdisciplinary learning, those who enjoy economics, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and are planning international studies or looking for diverse career options. The course is offered at Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (SSLA), Pune

Level of Difficulty :

If you are looking for an answer to the question whether SET 2026 is tough or not. Is SET 2026 Tough? Honestly, SET is competitive but not terrifying. The syllabus of SET is manageable. No negative marking of course helps. Time pressure exists, but it is fair. So, students who prepare consistently for 2-3 months, practise mock tests, and working on reading and basics will do well in SET.

Who Should Consider SET 2026:

If you have the question in your mind that whether you should take SET 2026 or not, then let me tell you that you should seriously consider SET 2026 if:

• You want a top private university experience
• You’re aiming for BBA / BCA / Liberal Arts
• You don’t want to depend only on board marks
• You value campus life, exposure, and industry connect

SET 2026 is not just another entrance exam. Rather, it is an opportunity to enter one of India’s most respected private universities at the UG level. So, if you want to play the game smartly, then choose the right courses, prepare with focus, and understand the selection process properly so that you make the best choice of your career. SET can give you a very strong career path right after class 12. So, start early, understand the exam, and give SET 2026 the seriousness it deserves.

All The Best !