What is KEAM and what courses does it cover?

KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical) is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, for admission to BTech, BPharm, and B.Arch programmes in Kerala government and private colleges. It is the primary gateway for engineering and pharmacy admissions in the state, covering over 30,000 engineering seats and thousands of pharmacy seats across Kerala. Architecture admissions also use KEAM scores combined with NATA scores.

How many engineering seats are available through KEAM?

KEAM covers over 30,000 engineering seats in 170+ engineering colleges in Kerala, including prestigious institutions like Government Engineering College Thrissur, College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET), NIT Calicut (via JEE for NRI/management quota), TKM College of Engineering, and numerous affiliated colleges under KTU (APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University). Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering are the most sought-after branches with high cutoffs at top colleges.

What is the exam pattern for KEAM Engineering?

KEAM Engineering consists of two papers: Paper 1 covers Physics and Chemistry (120 questions, 240 marks) and Paper 2 covers Mathematics (120 questions, 240 marks), totalling 240 questions and 480 marks. Each correct answer earns +4 marks and each wrong answer results in a -1 penalty. The exam is conducted in offline mode over two separate sessions of 75 minutes each. The final rank is computed based on KEAM score combined with Class 12 marks.

Does KEAM score alone determine admission rank?

No, KEAM admission rank is calculated as a composite score combining KEAM exam marks and Plus Two (Class 12) board marks. Typically, KEAM marks and board marks are given equal weightage (50:50 or as notified by CEE each year). This means students with excellent Class 12 scores have an advantage even with a moderate KEAM score. Students should not only focus on KEAM preparation but also ensure strong Class 12 performance to maximise their composite rank.

Can students from outside Kerala appear for KEAM?

KEAM primarily serves Kerala domicile students and those who have studied in Kerala. Students who have studied in Kerala schools or whose parents are Kerala government employees are eligible for state quota seats. A small percentage of management and NRI quota seats in private colleges are available for out-of-state students. Students from Kerala settled outside the state (Keralites residing in other states) may also apply under specific conditions. All applicants must carefully review CEE Kerala's domicile and eligibility norms each year.

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KEAM Engineering Preparation Guide

Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala

Your Complete Preparation Guide for KEAM Engineering 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.

DifficultyHard

Total Marks480

Duration150 min

Start Practising Now →Free Mock Tests

Exam Overview

Mode

Offline (Pen & Paper)

Frequency

Annual

Next Exam Date

April 2026

EEligibility Criteria

10+2 with PCM for engineering; minimum 50% marks; Kerala origin or residents preferred

ANumber of Attempts

No restriction on number of attempts

Study Plan by Subject

Physics

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Chemistry

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Mathematics

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Expert Preparation Tips

KEAM rank is a composite of exam and Class 12 board marks, so maintaining high board exam scores is as important as KEAM performance.

Practise solving 120 questions in 75 minutes for each paper, as the 240-question exam across two papers demands very high speed.

Physics and Chemistry share Paper 1, so allocate roughly 37–38 minutes to each subject while practising timed mock tests.

The Kerala State Board syllabus has some unique topics not covered in NCERT—ensure you study from Kerala Plus Two textbooks for complete coverage.

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration (est.)
Physics	80	160	50 min
Chemistry	80	160	50 min
Mathematics	80	160	50 min
Total	240	480	150 min

Important Dates

Registration Opens

January–February 2026

Next Exam Date

April 2026

Conducted By

Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala

Frequently Asked Questions

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