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How to Prepare for SET Exam 2025: Effective Strategy & Preparation Tips
Apr 26, 2025
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How to Prepare for SET Exam 2025: Effective Strategy & Preparation Tips

If you want to study at one of the elite Symbiosis colleges, the SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test) 2025 is your ticket. It provides access to popular undergraduate courses such as BBA, Law, and Design. Naturally, the competition is fierce, but don't be concerned — with the appropriate strategy, clever study schedule, and proper assistance, you can succeed.

In this blog, we'll go over everything you need to know, including the SET exam pattern, section-by-section study suggestions, time management tactics, recommended literature, the value of practice tests, and last-minute preparation tips. So, take your notes, and let's get started on your success plan!

Understanding the SET 2025 Exam

Before directly jumping into the preparation of the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) exam, it is crucial to understand what actually SET exam demands. Symbiosis International (Deemed University) conducts the SET exam, which is necessary for admission to numerous undergraduate programs at Symbiosis colleges.

Depending on the course you choose, there are several SET variants:

  • SET General: For courses like BBA, BCA, etc.
  • SLAT: For Law aspirants.
  • SITEEE: For Engineering programs.
  • SEED: For Design courses.

However, our primary focus here is on SET General 2025, which is the most popular among management and computer application candidates.

SET General 2025 Exam Pattern:

  • Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • No. of Questions: 60 MCQs
  • Sections:
    • General English (16 Questions)
    • Quantitative Skills (16 Questions)
    • General Awareness (16 Questions)
    • Analytical & Logical Reasoning (12 Questions)
  • Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer, no negative marking

SET Exam 2025: Crucial Dates

Events

SET Dates 2025

Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) registration starts

09 Dec 2024

Registration ENds

12 April 2024

Last Date of Fee Payment

12 April 2025

SET 2025 Exam Admit Card release date

25 April 2025 (Test 1)

30 April 2025 (Test 2)

Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET 2025) Date

05 May 2025 (Test 1)

11 May 2025 (Test 2)

SET Exam Time

11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Result Declaration

22-May-2025

SET Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2025

Understanding the SET exam design and marking method is required to achieve a high grade. To approach the SET question paper, one must be thoroughly acquainted with the pattern. The SET exam pattern and marking scheme may be found in the table below.

Particulars

Details

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT) Mode

Test Time Duration

60 Minutes (1 hour)

Exam Sections

Types of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 

Marks per Question

1 Mark

Negative Marking

No Mark will be deducted for any incorrect response (No Negative Marking)

Knowing the marking scheme will be useful for students preparing for the SET exam. The table below shows the SET exam's section-by-section marks and questions.

Subject

Questions

General English

15

16

Quantitative 

15

16

General Awareness

15

16

Analytical and Local Reasoning

12

12

Total

60

60

When to Start Preparation for SET 2025

Start at least six to eight months before the exam. Early preparation gives you an advantage, especially when it comes to school boards and other admission tests. Starting early allows you to gradually build concepts, take more practice tests, and perfect your exam temperament.

Step 1: When to start Preparation 2025

Preparing without a study plan is analogous to embarking on a journey without a compass: you may move, but you will most likely lose direction. A well-structured and tailored study plan serves as a road map, guiding you through the full SET 2025 syllabus in a manageable manner. It keeps your preparation on track, monitors your progress, and minimizes last-minute worry.

An Effective Plan covers:

  • Set weekly goals: Break the syllabus down into smaller topics each week.
  • Allocate time wisely: Spend extra hours working on your weaker areas.
  • Revise Consistently: Create a weekly revision schedule.
  • Mock tests and analysis: Set aside one or two days every week for full-length mocks and reviews. 
  • Visual Reminder: To stay on track, have your plan visible near your study table!

Step 2: Section-wise Preparation Strategy: Let's break it down section by section so you know how to approach each element of the exam.

  1. General English: This section examines candidates based on their grammar, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal ability.
    1. Ready Regularly: Daily reading material includes newspapers (such as The Hindu or Indian Express) and magazines.
    2. Increase your vocabulary: Make use of flashcards or programs such as Magoosh Vocabulary Builder.
    3. Practice Comprehension: Work on your comprehension skills by rapidly grasping the gist.
    4. Grammar exercises: Concentrate on tenses, prepositions, articles, and sentence repair.
  2. Quantitative Skills: Quantitative Aptitude assesses your numerical aptitude and problem-solving abilities.
  • Strengthen Basics: Brush up on your 10th-grade arithmetic skills.
  • Practice every day: Concentrate on Arithmetic (percentages, ratios), Algebra, Data Interpretation, and Basic Geometry.
  • Speed & accuracy: Utilize shortcuts and Vedic math methods. 
  1. General Awareness: This is a scoring section if you stay updated!
  • Daily news reading: Focus on current affairs of the last 8-12 months.
  • Static GK: Indian history, geography, awards, books & authors, etc.
  • Monthly capsules: Use monthly current affairs compilations.
     

Recommended Resources:

  • Manorama Yearbook
  • GK Today App
  • IMS GK compendiums
  1. Analytical & Logical Reasoning: Critical for decision-making and problem-solving skills.

 Preparation Tips:

  • Practice puzzles: Sudoku, crosswords, logical sequence games.
  • Understand question types: Blood relations, coding-decoding, syllogisms.
  • Daily reasoning exercises: Spend at least 30 minutes daily.
     

Recommended Books:

  • "A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal
  • IMS reasoning handouts

Step 3: Importance of Mock Tests and Analysis: No matter how much theory you cover, without mock tests, your preparation is incomplete.

Why mock tests matter:

  • Simulate the real exam environment.
  • Improve your time management.
  • Identify weak areas.
  • Track your progress.
     

Recommended Practice:

  • Aim for at least 15-20 full-length mocks before the exam.
  • Time yourself strictly.
  • Review every mock with detailed analysis.

Step 4: Time Management Tips for SET 2025: Because the SET exam only provides you 60 minutes to complete 60 questions, time management is critical.

  • Sectional targets are: Set aside approximately 12-15 minutes every section.
  • Skip difficult questions: Don't get trapped; just go on and return later.
  • First, attempt simple questions: Increase confidence and momentum.
  • Use the on-screen timer. Keep track of your pace during the exam.

 

Step 5: Smart Revision Techniques: Revision should never be overlooked, particularly in the final 1-2 months.

  • Make short notes: Handy for quick last-minute reviews.
  • Use mind maps for better retention of complex topics.
  • Daily quick revisions: Revise what you studied each day.
  • Weekend recaps: Revise the entire week’s learning every Sunday.

Step 6: Last-Minute Preparation Tips: As the exam approaches, adjust your strategy:

  • Avoid learning new topics in the last 7 days.
  • Focus on mocks and revisions.
  • Sleep well before the exam day.
  • Prepare all essentials: Admit card, ID proof, stationery.

Recommended Books for SET Exam 2025

Section

Book Recommendations

English

Word Power Made Easy, Wren & Martin

Quantitative

R.S. Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude

Reasoning

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

GK

Manorama Yearbook, GK Today App

Mock Tests

IMS SET Mock Test Series

Conclusion

Cracking the SET Exam 2025 is quite doable if you remain consistent, intelligent, and positive. Begin your preparation early, stick to your study schedule, practice regularly, take mocks seriously, and continue to revise. With the appropriate strategy, you will not only pass the SET but also gain admission to your favorite Symbiosis college!

Coaching is not required, but it can provide structured learning, excellent mocks, and help with doubt resolution.

Yes, Current Affairs plays an important role in the ET exam 2025 and is a significant part of the General Awareness section.