Team Career Plan B · September 24, 2026 
Introduction
If you’re planning BBA admission through SET, understanding the application and selection process can make your preparation much easier. Symbiosis International (Deemed University) uses the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) for admission to several undergraduate programmes, including BBA programmes at SCMS Pune, Noida, Nagpur, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. SET also provides admission routes to specialised programmes such as BBA in Information Technology and BBA in Artificial Intelligence.
The official 2027 notification and dates are yet to be released. The latest confirmed 2026 cycle had registration until April 15, two test attempts, and the exam on May 2 and May 10. Use the 2026 dates below as a reference, not as confirmed 2027 dates.
What Is the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) and Why It Matters for BBA Admission
The Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) is a computer-based undergraduate entrance test conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University). Symbiosis institutes use SET for admission to selected undergraduate programmes.
For BBA aspirants, the participating institutes include SCMS Pune, SCMS Noida, SCMS Nagpur, SCMS Bengaluru and SCMS Hyderabad. Symbiosis also uses SET for specialised programmes such as BBA in Information Technology at SICSR Pune, BBA in Artificial Intelligence at SAII Pune, BBA in Media Management at SCMC Pune and BBA in Hospitality and Culinary Management at SSCANS Pune.
The 2026 SET was conducted in CBT mode, lasted 60 minutes and allowed candidates to appear for up to two tests. When candidates appeared for both tests, the authorities considered the higher score. The 2026 test was available across 68 cities in India.
Step-by-Step Process for BBA Admission Through SET
Step 1: Check Your SET Eligibility Criteria
Before registering, check the eligibility requirements for the specific BBA programme you want to pursue.
For the 2026 cycle, SCMS Pune, SCMS Noida, SCMS Nagpur, SCMS Bengaluru and SCMS Hyderabad required candidates to have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board with at least 50% marks. The requirement was 45% for SC/ST candidates.
Candidates appearing for Class 12 can apply according to the applicable institute’s rules. Candidates from international boards may need to provide the required equivalence or supporting documents.
Eligibility can vary for individual programmes. Always check the official eligibility page before submitting your application.
Step 2: Complete the SET Registration Process
SET registration takes place through the official SET website.
The 2026 registration process required candidates to:
- Create a SET account.
- Enter personal and academic details.
- Verify the registered mobile number and email through OTP.
- Upload the required information and documents.
- Pay the SET entrance test fee.
- Select the undergraduate programme or programmes they want to apply for.
- Pay the separate programme registration fee for each selected programme.
For SET 2026, the entrance test registration fee was ₹2,250 per test, excluding applicable government taxes. Candidates also had to pay ₹1,000 per programme per institute, excluding applicable government taxes. Both payments were non-refundable and non-transferable.
The 2026 SET registration deadline was April 15, 2026. Symbiosis will confirm the 2027 deadline when it releases the official SET 2027 notification.
Step 3: Understand the SET Exam Pattern
The SET 2026 exam consisted of 60 objective questions carrying 60 marks. The test had four sections:
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General English | 16 | 16 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 16 | 16 |
| General Awareness | 16 | 16 |
| Analytical and Logical Reasoning | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 60 | 60 |
The test duration was 60 minutes. SET 2026 had no negative marking, and all sections were mandatory.
Candidates could appear for SET on both test dates. If they took two attempts, Symbiosis considered the higher score for the admission process. No score normalisation was applied between the two attempts.
Step 4: Prepare Strategically for SET
SET tests speed across four different areas, so your preparation should cover each section.
Build your General English preparation around vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and verbal ability.
Practise arithmetic, percentages, ratios, averages, data interpretation and other relevant topics for Quantitative Aptitude.
Follow current affairs and important national and international developments for General Awareness.
Practise arrangements, series, coding-decoding, logical deductions and other reasoning questions for Analytical and Logical Reasoning.
Use timed mock tests to improve your speed. The absence of negative marking in the 2026 pattern allowed candidates to attempt questions without losing marks for incorrect answers.
Step 5: Take the SET Exam and Check Your Result
The 2026 SET exams were held on May 2 and May 10, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Admit cards were released before the respective test dates.
Candidates should carry the documents specified on their admit card and follow the test-centre instructions.
The SET 2026 result was declared on May 20, 2026. Candidates could then proceed with the programme-specific admission process for the institutes to which they had applied.
Candidates should check the official SET 2027 notification for the examination dates and result schedule once Symbiosis releases it.
Step 6: Clear the Institute-Specific Selection Process for Symbiosis BBA Colleges
A SET score does not automatically confirm admission.
For the major BBA programmes under SET, the 2026 selection process used the SET score and Personal Interaction (PI). The official SET 2026 bulletin allocated 70 marks to the scaled SET score and 30 marks to PI, giving a total of 100 marks.
SCMS Pune also confirms that it calls candidates for the Personal Interaction process after they meet the applicable SET cutoff and register with the institute.
The PI evaluates areas such as general awareness, academics, extracurricular activities, communication skills, interests and overall suitability for the programme.
The exact selection process can differ across institutes and programmes. Therefore, do not assume that every Symbiosis BBA programme follows an identical GD-PI-WAT process. The official 2026 SET bulletin specifically lists SET + PI for the BBA programmes at SCMS Pune, Noida, Nagpur, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
For Personalized Guidance
How Career Plan B Helps
Navigating BBA admission through SET, choosing the right Symbiosis institute and preparing for the Personal Interaction round can feel overwhelming.
- Career Plan B offers personalised career counselling, PsycheIntel Career Assessment Tests, admission guidance and academic profile guidance to help students understand their options before applying.
- Our counsellors can also help students compare Symbiosis BBA programmes, understand eligibility requirements, organise application timelines and prepare for the PI stage.
- Career Roadmapping helps students plan their undergraduate journey, internships, skill development and higher education options after BBA.
Get In Touch With Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there negative marking in SET?
No. The 2026 SET exam had no negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates received one mark for each correct answer, with a total of 60 marks across 60 questions.
Q2. Can I appear for SET more than once?
Yes. In the 2026 cycle, candidates could appear for SET on both test dates. The higher score was considered if a candidate appeared for both attempts.
Q3. What’s considered a good SET score?
There is no single officially published score that guarantees admission across all Symbiosis BBA colleges. Each institute determines its shortlisting and merit process. Your chances depend on the SET score, applicable cutoff, PI performance and the institute’s selection criteria. SCMS Pune, for example, shortlists candidates based on the applicable SET cutoff before its PI stage.
Q4. Is SET only for BBA programmes in Pune?
No. SET is used for BBA admissions at Symbiosis institutes in Pune, Noida, Nagpur, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Symbiosis also uses SET for admission to other undergraduate and specialised BBA programmes.
Conclusion
BBA admission through SET involves a clear sequence: check your eligibility, register for SET, complete the programme application, prepare for the entrance test, appear for the exam and complete the institute-specific selection process.
For 2027 aspirants, the most important dates will be confirmed in the official SET 2027 notification. Until then, use the 2026 schedule as a preparation reference and focus on building your fundamentals across English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness and Analytical & Logical Reasoning.
If you’d like personalised guidance on choosing the right Symbiosis BBA programme or preparing for the PI round, reach out to Career Plan B for a free first session.
