SET Exam Syllabus 2027 (Topic-Wise): Complete Guide
Reviewed by Kaushik Kapoor, Co-founder & Director, Erudite — an alumnus of XLRI Jamshedpur and St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, with 25+ years of experience mentoring students in entrance-exam preparation and test-prep strategy.
Last updated: July 2026 · Based on the latest officially released SET 2026 pattern. The SET 2027 pattern is expected to follow the same structure; always confirm final details on the official SET website.
Cracking the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) isn’t about studying until you burn out — it’s about studying the right things in the right order.
If you’re aiming for a management, media, economics, or IT programme at Symbiosis International (Deemed University), SET is your entry point. And a smart preparation plan starts with one thing: knowing exactly what the exam tests.
This guide gives you the complete topic-wise SET preparation syllabus for 2027, the current exam pattern, section-by-section priorities, recommended books, and a practical preparation strategy. The goal is simple — help you stop guessing what to study and start preparing with a clear structural advantage.
SET 2027 Exam Overview
SET is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to selected undergraduate programmes.
Under the latest officially released pattern, it runs for 60 minutes and tests four areas: General English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and Analytical & Logical Reasoning. There are 60 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 mark, and — importantly — no negative marking.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Symbiosis International (Deemed University) |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Total questions | 60 (MCQ) |
| Total marks | 60 |
| Marking scheme | +1 per correct answer; no negative marking |
| Sections | 4 (English, Quant, GA, Reasoning) |
| Medium | English |
Important
The official SET 2027 notification and test structure had not been released when this article was updated. The figures in this guide use the officially released SET 2026 structure as the expected pattern for 2027.
Because there’s no negative marking under the latest pattern, you should attempt every question — an educated guess is always better than a blank. And because the clock is tight, managing time matters as much as knowing answers.
Note: Symbiosis conducts separate entrance tests for different programme groups, including SITEEE for engineering, SLAT for law, and SEED for design. This guide covers SET for BBA and allied undergraduate programmes.
SET Exam Pattern 2027: Expected Section-Wise Marks Distribution
The latest officially released SET structure spreads 60 questions across four sections in a 16-16-16-12 distribution. The expected 2027 pattern is shown below and should be rechecked when the official 2027 notification is published.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General English | 16 | 16 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 16 | 16 |
| General Awareness | 16 | 16 |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 60 | 60 |
There is no sectional time limit under the latest pattern, so you can move freely between sections. The trade-off: it’s easy to sink ten minutes into one stubborn reasoning puzzle.
The candidates who score well are usually those who pace themselves and know when to move on.
Quick Summary
The detailed topic lists below are preparation coverage based on the latest official SET guidance and established question patterns. They should not be treated as an exhaustive, officially prescribed SET 2027 syllabus until the 2027 notification is released.
SET 2027 Topic-Wise Preparation Syllabus
General English Syllabus (16 Questions)
This section tests how well you understand everyday language structure and context — not literary flair. Questions are usually direct, so a strong grounding in basics lets you clear this section quickly and bank easy marks.
Topics to prepare:
- Reading Comprehension — short, factual passages
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms, idioms, one-word substitutions, homophones, and contextual word usage
- Grammar — subject-verb agreement, prepositions, articles, tenses, active/passive voice, and direct/indirect speech
- Error detection and sentence correction
- Para-jumbles — sentence rearrangement, fill in the blanks, and cloze exercises
Pro Tip
Instead of memorising word lists, learn how meaning shifts with sentence structure — that lets you eliminate options even when a word is unfamiliar.
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus (16 Questions)
You don’t need advanced mathematics. The section emphasises fundamental quantitative concepts and practical, applied problem-solving. Solid fundamentals and clean, quick calculation habits matter more than complex theory.
Topics to prepare:
- Arithmetic — percentages; profit, loss and discount; ratio and proportion; averages; mixtures and alligations; simple and compound interest; time, speed and distance; time and work; pipes and cisterns
- Algebra — linear and quadratic equations
- Geometry and Mensuration — lines, angles, triangles, circles, area, and volume
- Modern Maths — permutations and combinations, and basic probability
- Data Interpretation (DI) — tables, bar charts, pie charts, and line graphs
Pro Tip
Arithmetic and DI deserve early attention because they reward speed. Build a personal set of shortcuts and mental-math techniques before moving to algebra or probability.
Analytical & Logical Reasoning Syllabus (12 Questions)
This section rewards clear, step-by-step thinking rather than calculation or memorisation. Once you learn to draw problems out visually, it’s often the most enjoyable part of the paper.
Topics to prepare:
- Seating Arrangements — linear and circular
- Distribution and grouping puzzles
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogisms
- Number and Letter Series
- Direction Sense
Pro Tip
Practise sketching a quick diagram or grid for every arrangement question. A neat layout prevents careless errors and mental loops.
General Awareness Syllabus (16 Questions)
This is a “you know it or you don’t” section — you can finish it in a few minutes and save time for Quant. You can’t cram it the night before; it rewards consistent, light reading over weeks and months.
Topics to prepare:
- Current Affairs — major national and international news, government schemes, technology, and environment, with emphasis on recent developments
- Business and Economy Awareness — mergers and acquisitions, brands, notable CEOs and founders, and basic economic concepts
- Static GK — history, geography, polity, science basics, awards, and sports
Pro Tip
Read a daily news recap and keep a running “business and economy” sheet so that important developments are easier to revise.
Section-Wise Priority: Where to Focus First
With limited time, sequence matters. Here’s a sensible order of attack:
- English: Master reading comprehension, core vocabulary, and grammar error-spotting first.
- Quant: Build arithmetic — percentages, ratios, and profit/loss — and basic DI before touching quadratics or probability.
- Reasoning: Lock in series, coding-decoding, and seating arrangements before complex critical-reasoning sets.
- General Awareness: Prioritise recent current affairs and business news over exhaustive static GK.
Recommended Books for SET 2027
SET has no officially prescribed books, but these widely used titles cover the preparation areas well. Pick one primary book per section rather than collecting many.
| Section | Commonly Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| General English | Word Power Made Easy — Norman Lewis; High School English Grammar & Composition — Wren & Martin |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations — R.S. Aggarwal; How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude — Arun Sharma |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal; Logical Reasoning — Arun Sharma |
| General Awareness | Manorama Yearbook or Lucent’s General Knowledge; a daily newspaper for current affairs |
A Simple 3-Phase Preparation Strategy
- Phase 1 — Build foundations. Master the rules first: revise how to solve ratios, spot dangling modifiers, or set up a seating puzzle. Don’t rush into timed mocks before your basics are solid.
- Phase 2 — Practise by topic. Do topic-specific drills to build accuracy and pattern recognition until you can identify a question type in a few seconds.
- Phase 3 — Full-length mocks. Take complete, timed mock tests to fix your pacing, decide your preferred section order, and build stamina. Review every mock to turn mistakes into a personal improvement checklist.
Common Mistake
Taking mock tests without reviewing errors creates activity, not improvement. After every mock, record the concept missed, the reason for the error, and the correction you will apply next time.
Save a Printable Copy of This SET 2027 Syllabus
Use your browser’s print option and choose Save as PDF to create a clean, printable copy of this guide. Print it, pin it above your desk, and cross off topics as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there negative marking in the SET 2027 exam?
Under the latest officially released SET 2026 pattern, each correct answer earns +1 mark and there is no penalty for wrong answers. The final SET 2027 marking scheme should be confirmed when the official notification is released.
Can I prepare for SET in three months?
Yes. For many students, a structured daily schedule focused on high-priority chapters and regular mock tests can make three months a workable preparation period. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Which section of the SET exam is the most scoring?
There is no universally most-scoring section. General English and Logical Reasoning can be faster for candidates who recognise the question patterns, while another candidate may score more strongly in Quantitative Aptitude or General Awareness.
Does SET require higher-level mathematics?
No. Official SET preparation guidance emphasises fundamental concepts and application rather than advanced theoretical mathematics. Clean fundamentals and speed are what count.
How many questions are there in SET, and what’s the duration?
The latest officially released SET 2026 pattern has 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. SET 2027 is expected to follow this format, subject to official confirmation.
What is the SET 2027 exam pattern?
The expected structure has four sections — General English (16), Quantitative Aptitude (16), General Awareness (16), and Analytical & Logical Reasoning (12) — for a total of 60 questions and 60 marks, with no negative marking. These figures are based on the officially released SET 2026 structure and must be rechecked after the SET 2027 notification is published.
Conclusion
The Symbiosis Entrance Test is competitive, but the syllabus itself is very manageable when you break it into daily targets.
Approach it with a clear plan, prioritise high-priority topics, and lean on regular mock practice rather than last-minute cramming. Save or print this guide, set up your study space, and start ticking off topics one by one — steady, deliberate effort is what earns a seat at Symbiosis.
This article was reviewed for accuracy by Kaushik Kapoor, Co-founder & Director of Erudite, a premium entrance-coaching institute headquartered in Kolkata (XLRI Jamshedpur and St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata alumnus; 25+ years in test-prep mentoring).