KEAM 2026 marking scheme: Engineering paper 600 marks, Pharmacy 300
Article updated: Apr 17, 2026
The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, has fixed the KEAM 2026 marking scheme and paper pattern. The engineering test totals 600 marks and the pharmacy test 300 marks , and the exam is held as a single Computer-Based Test (CBT).
KEAM 2026 marking scheme: total marks & pattern
For engineering, KEAM is split into two papers: Paper I (Physics + Chemistry) and Paper II (Mathematics). You get +4 for each correct answer, -1 for a wrong one and 0 for unanswered questions. Engineering duration is 180 minutes ; pharmacy duration is 90 minutes .
Engineering paper breakdown:
| Paper | Subject(s) | Questions | Marks per subject | Total marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Physics + Chemistry | Physics 45, Chemistry 30 | Physics 180, Chemistry 120 | 300 | Part of 180 mins |
| Paper II | Mathematics | 75 | Mathematics 300 | 300 | Part of 180 mins |
Pharmacy paper breakdown:
| Paper | Subject(s) | Questions | Total marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Physics 45, Chemistry 30 | 75 | 300 | 90 minutes |
KEAM 2026 marking scheme: how score and rank are calculated
You can estimate your raw score using the official answer key once released. Example formula: (Correct × 4) − (Wrong × 1). If you answer 100 correct and 10 wrong, Score = (100×4) − (10×1) = 390 .
Ranks combine two components equally: the normalized KEAM score and your Class 12 PCM marks. CEE Kerala gives equal weightage to both when preparing the final rank list.
What is a good score in KEAM 2026?
Benchmarks provided by CEE and past trends put a good engineering score at 550+ for top branches like CSE and ECE. A 450–550 score typically lands mid-tier colleges. Reserved-category hopefuls often need around 350+ . A score of 470 usually maps to an estimated rank of 5,000–10,000 .
What happens next after the exam
CEE will release a provisional answer key, then the final scorecard and rank list. Counselling and seat allotment follow based on the rank, category and preferences.