SET Exam Syllabus 2025: Section-wise Important Topics

SET Exam Syllabus: Understanding the syllabus is crucial if you are preparing for the SET entrance exam in 2025. This blog will provide detailed information about the syllabus, helping you structure your study plan effectively.

The SET exam syllabus includes four main sections: General English, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, and Analytical and Logical Reasoning. Based on this pattern, the SET entrance exam 2025 will be conducted in multiple-choice questions mode. 

 

Ensure you are familiar with the SET exam syllabus in detail, as the syllabus is divided into different sections with different topics. The SET entrance exam will be conducted online. This article will help you get insights into the SET 2025 exam syllabus. 

 

Get Ready to Ace Your SET Exam with Our Free Mock Tests!

 

SET 2025 Important Dates

Students who wish to appear for SET 2025 must fill out the online application form, ensuring they meet the SET eligibility criteria. The SET 2025 application form is available online on the official SET website (https://www.set-test.org/).

SET 2025 will be conducted in two rounds: May 5, 2025, and May 11, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. 

Students can apply for both rounds, and the higher score from the two attempts will be considered for admission.

Keep track of the following important dates for SET 2025.

Dates	Details
06 Dec ’24	Registrations started
12 Apr ’25	Last date of Registration and fee payment
25 Apr ’25	Admit card availability (First Round)
30 Apr ’25	SET 2025 admit card availability (Second Round)
05 May ’25	SET Exam 2025 (First Round)
11 May ’25	SET Exam 2025 (Second Round)
22 May ’25	SET result 2025

SET Exam Pattern 2025

The SET is a fast-paced exam, much like a thrilling T20 cricket match. It requires you to attempt 60 questions in 60 minutes. Needless to say, you need to think on your feet!  However, the good news is that there’s NO Negative marking, allowing you to attempt all the questions without the fear of losing marks. Additionally, the exam offers the flexibility to navigate between sections freely, as there are No sectional time limits.

 

Except for a few questions that may be tricky and time-consuming, the SET exam is generally considered to have an Easy-to-Moderate difficulty level.

 

The table below provides a clear overview of the exam’s structure and pattern.

 

Key details		Sections	Questions	Marks
MCQ-based test with 4 options Duration: 60 mins Total Questions: 60     (1 mark each; No negative marking) No Sectional Time limits or Cut-offs Calculator not allowed Difficulty level: Easy-to-Moderate		General English	16	16
		General Knowledge	16	16
		Quantitative Aptitude	16	16
		Analytical and Logical Reasoning	12	12
		Total	60	60

 

The overall selection process is divided into two stages –

 

Stage 1: Appear for the SET. The SET exam score carries a weightage of 70% in the final selection. Your entrance test performance will be scaled up proportionally. For example, if you score 40 out of 60 marks, your score will be scaled to reflect a score out of 70.

 

Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates undergo a PI (Personal Interview) and WAT (Written Ability Test), where communication skills, critical thinking, and writing ability are assessed. After clearing the SET exam and meeting the overall cut-off, candidates are invited for a personal interview (PI). This round accounts for 30% of your final score.

 

SET Exam Syllabus 2025 – Overview

 

The Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET General) is conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University). It is the gateway for undergraduate aspirants seeking admission to a diverse range of innovative programmes across different Symbiosis Institutes. These programs are designed for students with varied academic interests, such as Management, Mass Communication, Economics, Computer Studies, Information Technology, Applied Statistics and Data Science, Media Management, and Dual Degree programmes.

 

The SET exam 2025 application form was released on December 6, 2024, with the last date for submission set for April 12, 2025. As the countdown to SET 2025 begins, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.

 

The SET exam syllabus provides a detailed overview and is a crucial resource to help students make the right study plan for this entrance exam preparation. 

 

Candidates are advised to have a clear understanding of the SET exam syllabus before they start preparing. 

 

Read More: SET Exam Admit Card
                    SET Exam Pattern

 

Although Symbiosis does not officially prescribe a syllabus for the SET, we’ve analyzed past papers and trends to provide you with an indicative list of topics to cover. As mentioned earlier, the SET tests your aptitude across four sections:

 

I  General English

II  General Knowledge

III  Quantitative Aptitude

IV  Analytical and Logical Reasoning.

 

The breakdown of the topics tested under each section is as follows:

 

SET General English Syllabus

 

This section includes questions about vocabulary and reading comprehension. Below, you can find a table that lists some of the important topics covered under the SET English syllabus.

 

SET Exam Syllabus for English include: 

 

Poetry Comprehension and Analysis: This includes understanding the meaning of poems, identifying literary devices (like personification and transferred epithets), interpreting figurative language, and analyzing rhyme schemes.

Grammar and Sentence Structure: This includes identifying the correct use of prepositions, tenses, conjunctions, etc., in fill-in-the-blank format and identifying errors in sentence structure or word choice.

Vocabulary: This involves questions that require you to choose the correct word for sentence completion, identify the meanings of idioms and proverbs, recognize compound words and countable and uncountable nouns, and identify correct spelling.

 

SET General Knowledge Syllabus 

The syllabus for the General Knowledge section is extensive and encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from historical facts to contemporary events. While the content is not fixed and can vary, the trend in recent years has been to focus more on Static GK questions, with fewer questions dedicated to current affairs.

 

Static GK typically covers subjects that are relatively unchanging over time. This includes:

 

1. History: Important events, dates, and figures from world and Indian history.
2. Geography: Knowledge of countries, capitals, rivers, mountains, and other physical features.
3. Politics: Details about the structure of the Indian government, international relations, and key political figures.
4. Economics: Fundamental economic concepts, historical events in economic development, and national economic policies.
   5. Science & Technology: Basic scientific knowledge, discoveries, and inventions.

 

SET Exam Syllabus: The Current Affairs component tests candidates’ awareness of the ongoing developments across the globe. You should stay updated on:

 

1. National and International News: Key political, social, and economic events that have occurred recently.
2. Sports and Awards: Major sports events, winners of awards like the Nobel Prize, and significant sporting achievements.
3. Business and Economy: Changes in the global and Indian economy, notable corporate news, and new government policies.
4. Science and Technology: Innovations, research, and breakthroughs in various scientific fields.
5. Environment and Sustainability: News related to environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability efforts.

SET Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

 

When preparing for the exam, candidates need to focus on specific topics that are more likely to appear in the questions. These topics include percentages, number systems, algebra, and profit & loss from the quantitative aptitude. 

 

SET Exam Syllabus: Key topics to focus on are

1. Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple & Compound Interest, Averages, and Mixtures & Alligations.
2. Algebra: Linear equations, Quadratic equations, and Simplifications.
3. Geometry and Mensuration: Area, Volume, Perimeter, Angles, Triangles, Circles, and Coordinate Geometry basics.
4. Data Interpretation (DI): Graphs (Bar, Line, Pie), Tables, and Caselets.
5. Number System: Divisibility, HCF & LCM, Factors, and Remainders.
6. Modern Math: Probability, Permutations, and Combinations
   

SET Analytical & Logical Reasoning Syllabus

 This section places equal emphasis on assessing verbal reasoning skills, as highlighted by recent trends. The questions typically focus on topics such as drawing conclusions, identifying assumptions, analysing cause and effect, evaluating syllogisms, and distinguishing between strong and weak arguments.

 

SET Exam Syllabus: Key Topics to Focus On

1. Verbal Reasoning: Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding, Series, Statement-Conclusion, and Statement-Assumption.
2. Non-Verbal Reasoning: Patterns, Mirror Images, Water Images, and Figure Completion.
3. Analytical Reasoning: Blood Relations, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements (Linear and Circular), and Directions.
4. Critical Reasoning: Cause & Effect, Course of Action, and Strong vs. Weak Arguments.
5. Data Sufficiency and logical puzzles.

SET Exam Syllabus: SET 2025 Preparation Strategy

How to Prepare for Each Section to Maximise Your Score.

With just five months to go before the SET 2025, balancing preparation for the exam with your commitments for board preparation requires a well-structured and efficient plan. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you maximise your score in the months leading up to the test.

The preparation plan can broadly be categorised into three parts –

1. Complete Coverage of the Syllabus

• Allocate some daily study time to SET preparation while balancing other academic responsibilities.
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses across all sections.
• Devise a weekly schedule to cover all topics, prioritising weaker areas systematically.
• Focus on clearing doubts and mastering commonly tested concepts.

      2. Rigorous Practice with SimTests

• Take SimTests to familiarise yourself with the SET exam format and improve your time management skills.
• Attempt at least 2 SimTests weekly, especially after your board exams conclude.
• Analyse test results to identify areas needing improvement and tailor your preparation accordingly.
  
  3. Intensive Last-Mile Preparation

• Dedicate the final month to revising crucial concepts and intensifying your test practice.
• Work on improving speed and accuracy by simulating exam-like conditions during practice sessions.
• Revisit challenging topics and clarify any lingering doubts.
• Prioritise time-bound test practice to build confidence and readiness for the exam day.

 

SET Exam Syllabus: Sectional-wise Preparation Strategy

 

I General English

Enhance Reading Skills: Regularly read newspapers, articles, and short stories/novels in English to improve comprehension and vocabulary. Pay attention to the spelling of complex words and highlight unfamiliar words, idioms, phrases, or proverbs. Always look up their meanings and make a note of them for future reference.

 

Build Vocabulary: Aim to learn 5 new words, idioms, phrases, or proverbs every day. Practice using these words in sentences to retain them effectively.

 

Poem Comprehension: Poem comprehension can be challenging, especially as SET tests figures of speech, rhyme schemes, and occasionally grammar-related questions. Start by reading simple poems to familiarize yourself with structure, rhyme, and literary devices. Gradually progress to more complex poems to build a deeper understanding.

 

II General Awareness

Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Consistently reading newspapers like The Economic Times, The Hindu, and other reputable sources is essential to staying informed on current events. To save time, listen to news podcasts, which offer concise updates and are an excellent way to stay connected with global and national developments.

 

Review Basic Knowledge for Static GK: For Static GK, focus on fundamental subjects such as geography, history, economics, and culture. Invest time in learning important dates, facts, and events that are often tested in the exam. Use quiz apps or general knowledge books to test your knowledge and strengthen your grasp of essential topics.

 

III Quantitative Aptitude: 

 

  Please review all the topics tested in the exam. Regularly solve questions from every topic. Practice is the key to perfection. Make sure that you solve around 40 to 50 questions on Quantitative Aptitude every day. In doing these, you will practise a variety of questions. Time yourself.  Practice with the timer to improve speed. Once you are fairly confident of most of the topics tested in the exam, start solving questions under time limits. Take section tests. This will help you to identify the questions that you need to solve under time limits and questions that you can avoid solving. Maintain a formula book and learn speed calculation techniques to solve questions faster.

 

IV Analytical and Logical Reasoning

 

To enhance your Verbal Reasoning skills, read editorials from reputable sources. This will help you better understand different viewpoints, evaluate supporting or opposing arguments, identify conclusions, and detect underlying assumptions. Cover a wide range of topics, such as economics, sports, and history, to broaden your perspective and strengthen your ability to tackle inference-based questions.

 

For the Analytical Reasoning section, practice daily. Start with easy questions and move to more complex ones. Solve puzzles daily, like Sudoku crosswords and brain-teasing puzzles, to build logical thinking. Identify recurring patterns in questions to increase accuracy.  

 

So, students, this is all from us! We hope you have buckled up your shoes and are ready to face the exam head-on. Every small step you take today is a stride toward your goals tomorrow. Whether you are cracking tricky questions or mastering new concepts, stay focused and keep pushing forward because —

 

The clock is ticking, the challenge is SET,
Get SET going, and don’t stop until your goals are met!

 

All the best!

 

Also Read:  SET Exam Preparation: Study Plan And Preparation Strategy
                    SET Result 2025: Result Date, How To Download?
                    SET Exam Mock Test
                    SET Analysis Round-1
                    SET Analysis Round-2