KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026
Comprehensive PCM Preparation
Handbook
Full-syllabus, exam-focused study guide for Class 11 and Class 12 Physics,
Chemistry and Mathematics
What this PDF does:
• Covers all major XI–XII PCM chapters needed for KEAM and CUSAT CAT
• Explains ideas, formulas, problem approach and common mistakes
• Includes exam pattern notes, revision strategy and a structured plan
Prepared as an exam handbook. Use it alongside NCERT/board examples and timed practice papers.
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 1
,How to Use This Guide
This book is designed for revision with understanding, not for blind memorization. Each chapter
gives you the concept, the exam language, the formulas you must be fluent with, a problem-solving route,
and the mistakes that usually cost marks. Study a chapter in this order: read the overview, work through
the core points, copy the formulas onto a one-page sheet, solve 20–30 mixed questions, then revisit
common traps.
Important note about syllabus coverage: KEAM 2026 officially publishes a syllabus outline in its
prospectus, while CUSAT CAT 2026 Test Code 101 is officially based on the Plus Two syllabus. This
handbook still covers both Class 11 and Class 12 fully because competitive questions in mechanics, physical
chemistry and algebra depend strongly on Class 11 foundations even when the official paper emphasizes
Plus Two coverage.
Official Exam Snapshot
Exam Official pattern note What it means for preparation
KEAM 2026 Engineering exam: CBT, 75 Maths Maths carries the highest direct
+ 45 Physics + 30 Chemistry, 180 weight, but Physics and
minutes, +4/-1. Syllabus outline Chemistry still decide rank
given in Annexure I of the jumps. Speed + accuracy are
prospectus. crucial.
CUSAT CAT 2026 Test Code 101: 225 objective Broader question volume means
questions based on Plus Two stamina matters. Strong board-
syllabus — 90 Maths, 75 Physics, level fluency with fast recall is
60 Chemistry, duration 3 hours. essential.
Source note: Official KEAM 2026 prospectus (CEE Kerala) and official CUSAT CAT 2026 prospectus (Cochin University
admissions portal). Full links are listed in the Sources section at the end.
High-Level Preparation Strategy
First build concepts chapter by chapter. Do not start with full-length mocks before you can solve
standard questions from each unit.
Give extra daily time to Mathematics because both exams reward speed there. But do not sacrifice
Physics numericals or Physical Chemistry calculations.
Maintain three notebooks: a formula notebook, an error notebook, and a solved-questions notebook
with only difficult questions.
Revise in loops: Day 1 learn, Day 2 practice, Day 7 retest, Day 21 mixed revision.
In the final phase, switch from chapter study to mixed-topic timed blocks because both exams punish
slow topic-by-topic thinking.
Suggested Weekly Time Split
Student type Maths Physics Chemistry Tests/Revision
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 2
,Balanced student 40% 25% 20% 15%
Weak in Maths 45% 22% 18% 15%
Weak in Physics 35% 30% 20% 15%
Weak in Chemistry 38% 24% 23% 15%
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 3
, Physics
Physics rewards conceptual honesty. If you draw the situation properly, choose axes carefully and respect
units and signs, a large fraction of questions become manageable. In KEAM and CUSAT, high scores usually
come from mastering standard models rather than memorizing isolated tricks.
Chapter 1. Units, Dimensions and Error Analysis
Every numerical problem starts here. Units translate physical ideas into measurable form, dimensions
check whether an equation can even be right, and error analysis tells you how trustworthy a
measurement is. Competitive exams use this chapter to test conceptual discipline rather than memory.
Core explanation
SI base quantities are length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, amount of substance and
luminous intensity. Derived quantities are built from these using products or ratios.
Dimensions are written in powers of M, L, T, I and other base quantities. If both sides of an equation
have different dimensions, the equation is automatically wrong.
Dimensional analysis is powerful for checking formulas and deriving relations up to a dimensionless
constant. It cannot derive exact numerical constants like 1/2, 2π or additive terms.
Significant figures matter because no physical measurement is infinitely exact. In multiplication or
division, the final answer keeps as many significant figures as the least precise factor.
Absolute error is the magnitude of uncertainty in a measured value. Relative error is absolute error
divided by measured value. Percentage error is relative error multiplied by 100.
When quantities are added or subtracted, absolute errors add. When quantities are multiplied or
divided, relative errors add approximately.
Key formulas / results
[velocity] = LT^-1, [force] = MLT^-2, [pressure] = ML^-1T^-2, [energy] = ML^2T^-2
If Q = x^a y^b / z^c then ΔQ/Q = a·Δx/x + b·Δy/y + c·Δz/z
Mean value x̄ = (x1 + x2 + ... + xn)/n
How to solve questions from this chapter
For dimension questions, first write dimensions of each physical quantity separately, then simplify. For
error questions, do not mix absolute and relative error rules. In numericals, always attach units in
intermediate steps to avoid hidden mistakes.
Common mistakes
Students often treat significant figures and decimal places as the same thing. They also forget that pure
numbers and angles in radians are dimensionless.
Chapter 2. Motion in a Straight Line and Plane
Kinematics describes motion without asking why it happens. The chapter builds the language of
displacement, velocity and acceleration and then extends it to two dimensions where vectors become
essential.
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 4
Comprehensive PCM Preparation
Handbook
Full-syllabus, exam-focused study guide for Class 11 and Class 12 Physics,
Chemistry and Mathematics
What this PDF does:
• Covers all major XI–XII PCM chapters needed for KEAM and CUSAT CAT
• Explains ideas, formulas, problem approach and common mistakes
• Includes exam pattern notes, revision strategy and a structured plan
Prepared as an exam handbook. Use it alongside NCERT/board examples and timed practice papers.
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 1
,How to Use This Guide
This book is designed for revision with understanding, not for blind memorization. Each chapter
gives you the concept, the exam language, the formulas you must be fluent with, a problem-solving route,
and the mistakes that usually cost marks. Study a chapter in this order: read the overview, work through
the core points, copy the formulas onto a one-page sheet, solve 20–30 mixed questions, then revisit
common traps.
Important note about syllabus coverage: KEAM 2026 officially publishes a syllabus outline in its
prospectus, while CUSAT CAT 2026 Test Code 101 is officially based on the Plus Two syllabus. This
handbook still covers both Class 11 and Class 12 fully because competitive questions in mechanics, physical
chemistry and algebra depend strongly on Class 11 foundations even when the official paper emphasizes
Plus Two coverage.
Official Exam Snapshot
Exam Official pattern note What it means for preparation
KEAM 2026 Engineering exam: CBT, 75 Maths Maths carries the highest direct
+ 45 Physics + 30 Chemistry, 180 weight, but Physics and
minutes, +4/-1. Syllabus outline Chemistry still decide rank
given in Annexure I of the jumps. Speed + accuracy are
prospectus. crucial.
CUSAT CAT 2026 Test Code 101: 225 objective Broader question volume means
questions based on Plus Two stamina matters. Strong board-
syllabus — 90 Maths, 75 Physics, level fluency with fast recall is
60 Chemistry, duration 3 hours. essential.
Source note: Official KEAM 2026 prospectus (CEE Kerala) and official CUSAT CAT 2026 prospectus (Cochin University
admissions portal). Full links are listed in the Sources section at the end.
High-Level Preparation Strategy
First build concepts chapter by chapter. Do not start with full-length mocks before you can solve
standard questions from each unit.
Give extra daily time to Mathematics because both exams reward speed there. But do not sacrifice
Physics numericals or Physical Chemistry calculations.
Maintain three notebooks: a formula notebook, an error notebook, and a solved-questions notebook
with only difficult questions.
Revise in loops: Day 1 learn, Day 2 practice, Day 7 retest, Day 21 mixed revision.
In the final phase, switch from chapter study to mixed-topic timed blocks because both exams punish
slow topic-by-topic thinking.
Suggested Weekly Time Split
Student type Maths Physics Chemistry Tests/Revision
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 2
,Balanced student 40% 25% 20% 15%
Weak in Maths 45% 22% 18% 15%
Weak in Physics 35% 30% 20% 15%
Weak in Chemistry 38% 24% 23% 15%
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 3
, Physics
Physics rewards conceptual honesty. If you draw the situation properly, choose axes carefully and respect
units and signs, a large fraction of questions become manageable. In KEAM and CUSAT, high scores usually
come from mastering standard models rather than memorizing isolated tricks.
Chapter 1. Units, Dimensions and Error Analysis
Every numerical problem starts here. Units translate physical ideas into measurable form, dimensions
check whether an equation can even be right, and error analysis tells you how trustworthy a
measurement is. Competitive exams use this chapter to test conceptual discipline rather than memory.
Core explanation
SI base quantities are length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, amount of substance and
luminous intensity. Derived quantities are built from these using products or ratios.
Dimensions are written in powers of M, L, T, I and other base quantities. If both sides of an equation
have different dimensions, the equation is automatically wrong.
Dimensional analysis is powerful for checking formulas and deriving relations up to a dimensionless
constant. It cannot derive exact numerical constants like 1/2, 2π or additive terms.
Significant figures matter because no physical measurement is infinitely exact. In multiplication or
division, the final answer keeps as many significant figures as the least precise factor.
Absolute error is the magnitude of uncertainty in a measured value. Relative error is absolute error
divided by measured value. Percentage error is relative error multiplied by 100.
When quantities are added or subtracted, absolute errors add. When quantities are multiplied or
divided, relative errors add approximately.
Key formulas / results
[velocity] = LT^-1, [force] = MLT^-2, [pressure] = ML^-1T^-2, [energy] = ML^2T^-2
If Q = x^a y^b / z^c then ΔQ/Q = a·Δx/x + b·Δy/y + c·Δz/z
Mean value x̄ = (x1 + x2 + ... + xn)/n
How to solve questions from this chapter
For dimension questions, first write dimensions of each physical quantity separately, then simplify. For
error questions, do not mix absolute and relative error rules. In numericals, always attach units in
intermediate steps to avoid hidden mistakes.
Common mistakes
Students often treat significant figures and decimal places as the same thing. They also forget that pure
numbers and angles in radians are dimensionless.
Chapter 2. Motion in a Straight Line and Plane
Kinematics describes motion without asking why it happens. The chapter builds the language of
displacement, velocity and acceleration and then extends it to two dimensions where vectors become
essential.
KEAM 2026 & CUSAT CAT 2026 PCM Guide • Page 4
