SET Exam Preparation Tips 2025: Know Best Books, Important Topics and Tricks

Symbiosis Entrance Test 2025 ( SET )

4 mins read196 Comments

Admit Card: 25 Apr '25

Saumya
Saumya Jain
Assistant Manager- Content
Updated on Dec 9, 2024 17:40 IST

To secure a place in a reputed university like Symbiosis, through popular entrance exams like SET, students must have a structured and well-strategized preparation plan. SET 2025 will be held on May 5 and May 11. In this article, we'll guide you through the ins and outs of SET exam preparation, offering valuable tips, study strategies, etc. Read the article below to know more.

SET exam preparation: Whether you are aiming for a BBA, BCA, or any other undergraduate programme offered by the prestigious Symbiosis International (Deemed University), thorough and strategic preparation is the key to success. To secure a place in a reputed university, like Symbiosis, students need to have a structured and well-strategized SET preparation plan. The SET exam is one of the popular BBA entrance exams in India and is the gateway to Symbiosis International University. The exam requires dedication and hard work to score well.

SET exam 2025 will be conducted on May 5, 2025, and May 11, 2025, in the computer-based test mode across various centres in the country. Aspirants planning to appear in the exam must start preparing for it well in advance. In this article, we'll guide you through the ins and outs of SET exam preparation, offering valuable tips, study strategies, etc. to help you achieve your academic goals. Read below to know how to prepare for SET 2025, tips, important topics, best books, etc.

Also Read:

SET Exam Preparation 2025: Understanding Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme

SET is a national-level entrance exam and the competition is very high. Hence, the first step in SET preparation is understanding the SET exam pattern and marking scheme. Take a look at the table below to get an overview of the SET exam pattern.

Features

Details

Test mode

Computer-based test mode

Sections

  • General English
  • Quantitative
  • Analytical and Logical Reasoning
  • General Awareness

Duration

One hour (60 minutes)

Number of questions

60

Type of question

Multiple-choice questions

Total marks

60

Marking scheme

One mark will be awarded for correct answers

There is no negative marking in case of wrong attempts

Explore popular BBA colleges for you

Indore
₹35 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
Rohtak
₹17.66 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
Delhi
₹39.3 K
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
Noida
#4 Outlook
₹7.32 L - 21 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Chandigarh
#30 Outlook
₹1.17 L - 9.99 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
Jalandhar
₹3.2 L - 9.6 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
Bangalore
#3 India Today
₹6.15 L - 7.34 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
Dehradun
₹1.5 L
In Top 10 %ile by Lowest Fees of BBA Colleges
Jammu
₹22.59 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
Dehradun
₹4.73 L - 6.47 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of BBA Colleges
View allCollections

Also Read:

How to prepare for the General English section of SET 2025 How to ace the Quant section of SET exam SET 2025: Tips and tricks to prepare for Logical Reasoning

SET 2025: Important Topics

Check out the table below to know some of the important topics of the SET syllabus 2025

Section Name

Important Topics

General English

Synonyms, Grammar, Vocabulary

Quantitative Aptitude

Algebra, Discount, Percentage

Logical Reasoning

Syllogism, Coding, Arrangements

General Awareness

Awards, Books, Current Affairs

Download here the complete SET syllabus 2025

Preparation Tips for SET 2025: Best Books for SET Exam

While preparing for SET, it is important to choose the right set of books. Students should select books that cover the complete syllabus and aid their overall preparation strategy. Check out the table below to know the best books to read for SET exam.

Q:   Which are the best books for the preparation of Quantitative section of the SET exam?

A:

The best books for Quantitative Aptitude preparation of SET exam are listed below. These are the recommended books by experts. 

  1. NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)
  2. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
  3. Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal

The NCERT Mathematics book is recommended for SET preparation because it is the best source of building or revisiting the fundamentals of Algebra Geometry, Trigonometry Mensuration Number Systems and Arithmetic. The NCERT books are extremely helpful to students from non-Engineering background. Quantitative Aptitude books by Arun Sharma, Abhijit Guha, Nishit Sinha and RS Aggarwal are the main books for SET preparation as well as other BBA and MBA entrance exams. These books cover all the topics at intermediate and advanced level. They also have many sample questions of easy, moderate and high difficulty levels for practice.

Q:   Which are the best books to read for the Logical Reasoning section of SET exam?

A:

The Logical Reasoning section of the SET exam is usually moderately difficult. Some of the recommended books for the Logical Reasoning section are as follows: 

  1. Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning by Pearson Publications
  2. A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R. S Aggarwal
  3. Logical and Analytical Ability by Ashok Gupta.
  4. Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
  5. A New Approach to Reasoning by BS Sijawali and Sijawali
  6. Multi-dimensional Reasoning by Mishra Kumar and Dr. Lal
  7. Logical and Analytical Reasoning by K Gupta
  8. A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal.

Q:   Can I use IPMAT preparation books for SET exam preparation?

A:

Yes, IPMAT books can be used for the SET exam preparation as both are BBA entrance exams. Candidates can use the same books for preparing for topics such as Quantitative Aptitude and General English. However, the difficulty level of the SET exam is much easier as compared to that of the IPMAT exam. To prepare for other sections of the SET exam such as Analytical and Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge, candidates should refer to the subject-specific preparation books. 

To prepare well of the SET exam, candidates must also solve previous years' question papers and sample papers in order to know the important topics in the exam, structure, weightage of the topics, etc. 

Name of the book

Author/ Publication

High School English Grammar and Composition Key

Wren and Martin

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

NCERT Mathematics Book for 9th and 12th class

NCERT

Quantitative Aptitude for All Competitive Examinations

Abhijit Guha

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning

RS Aggarwal

How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT

Arun Sharma

Manorama Year Book

 

Also Read: Detailed account on best books to read for SET

Preparation Tips for SET Exam 2025

Once the students are familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus, it is important to have a sound preparation plan and strategy. Here are a few SET preparation tips:

Explore more BBA exams with upcoming dates

GAT BBA 2025 Exam

23 Dec '24

MAH BBA CET Registration 2025 Start

5 Jan '25

JIPMAT Answer Key Objection Window

31 Jan '25

IPMAT Rohtak 2025 Registration...

6 Feb '25

SAT Registration Deadline for ...

21 Feb '25

IPMAT 2025 Application Process

14 Feb '25 - 28 Mar '25

UPESMET UG 2024 Exam

24 Apr '25

NMIMS NPAT Registration Window

31 Dec '24 - 25 May '25

CGC Josh 2025 Registration Stage 1

14 Nov '24 - 31 May '25

VUSAT 2025 Application Form

6 Nov '24 - 31 Oct '25

  • Create a study plan: A good SET preparation plan must have a daily timetable, topic-wise distribution of hours, dedicated time for solving sample questions and getting conceptual clarity. The students must be able to cover the complete syllabus and at the same time have enough time for revision. Prepare small notes as you go about the SET preparations which you can refer to at a later stage of preparation.

Also Read: How to prepare SET in six months

  • Be thorough with the syllabus: Begin your SET preparation by working on the basic concepts of Quant and Logical Reasoning sections. Make the most use of the time in hand for studying the concepts, theories and formulae of all the topics listed under these sections. Make small notes and watch videos related to these sections to clear the concepts.
  • Time management: Candidates will be given 60 minutes to solve four sections. Therefore, candidates must practice managing time. Candidates must not spend more than 30-45 seconds on one question in order to solve the SET exam question paper on time. Candidates must attempt as many questions as they can with accuracy.
  • Speed and Accuracy: Speed and accuracy are equally important in solving a question paper. Only answering the questions is not enough. It is very important to answer the questions with accuracy. Practice a lot of SET sample papers and take ample mock tests to practice solving the questions with speed and accuracy.
  • Know your strengths and weaknesses: Try to identify your strong and weak areas. Work on the areas in which you are weak and capitalize on your strengths. Measure and analyse your performance after every mock test you take and try to improve your scores.
  • Revision is the key: The SET preparations are incomplete without the right amount of practice and revision. Give at least a week or two to revise what you have studied. Attempt SET mock tests and solve sample papers to improve time management. Go through the notes that you prepared at the beginning of the SET preparation and analyse.

Here are a few SET preparation articles by Shiksha which will help you in your SET exam preparations:

Read More:

Q:   What are the best books for SET BBA preparation?

A:

When preparing for the SET exam, using the right books and study materials can make a significant difference in your preparation. Here are some recommended books for various sections of the SET exam:

  1. General English:

    • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
    • High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
    • Objective General English by SP Bakshi
  2. General Awareness:

    • Manorama Yearbook
    • Pratiyogita Darpan
    • Lucent's General Knowledge
    • Current Affairs Magazines (e.g., Competition Success Review, Pratiyogita Darpan)
  3. Quantitative Aptitude:

    • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal
    • Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
    • NCERT Mathematics textbooks of Class 9 and 10
  4. Analytical & Logical Reasoning:

    • A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
    • Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
  5. Previous Years' Question Papers:

    • Solve previous years' question papers and sample papers for SET to get an idea of the exam pattern and difficulty level.

Apart from these books, make sure to check reliable online resources for additional study material and mock tests specifically designed for the SET exam. Many online platforms offer comprehensive study material and practice tests tailored to the SET syllabus.

Additionally, keep yourself updated with current affairs by reading newspapers, magazines, and following relevant news portals regularly. Staying updated with current affairs is essential for the General Awareness section of the SET BBA exam.

Q:   What is the benefit of having SET books?

A:

Preparing for the SET exam from books and study material recommended by experts is important in order to gain an in-depth knowledge on different topics included in the SET syllabus. SET reference books contain detailed information on each topic of SET syllabus and will acquaint the students with SET exam pattern and difficulty level of the questions. In addition, they also contain solved sample papers, which may or may not be present in online resources always. It is always a wise decision to refer to more than one book for SET exam. Test takers can make use of the additional information available in the books while preparing for SET exam. Cracking a competitive exam becomes easier with the right set of books and study material.

About the Author
author-image
Saumya Jain
Assistant Manager- Content

With over 7 years of editorial experience, Saumya has been a writer at Shiksha for over four years. With a bachelor's degree in English literature from Delhi University, she loves to write. A true Delhiite and her l... Read Full Bio

Download Important Dates for BBA Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

Feb '25

IPMAT 2025 Application Process

Apr '25

IPMAT 2025 Form Correction Win...

17 May '24

Christ University Entrance Tes...

14 May '24 -

17 May '24

Micro Presentation, Personal I...

Dec '24

NMIMS NPAT Registration Window

Dec '24

NPAT Exam Admit Card Issuance

Jul '22

CUET Exam Date

6 Apr '22 -

6 May '22

CUET Registration Dates

22 May '24 -

12 Jun '24

MUCMET Registration 2024

6 Jun '25

Last date of UGAT 2025 registr...

9 Jun '25

UGAT 2025 admit card release

Dec '24

CAT 2024 result announcement

3 Dec '24 -

5 Dec '24

CAT 2024 answer key challenge

Jan '25

MAH CET 20245 registration pro...

Mar '25

MAH MBA CET 2025

18 Dec '24 -

22 Dec '24

MAT 2024 Admit Card Download C...

22 Dec '24

MAT 2024 CBT 2

25 Feb '25

PGRRCDE 2024 Exam Date

Mar '25

PGRRCDE Entrance Test 2024 Res...

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

The SET syllabus is not available for download because the SET exam authority, SIU, does not provide any details other than the exam sections related to the SET syllabus. Aspirants who want to appear in SET can refer to the syllabus of other BBA entrance exams similar to SET to get an idea of the to

...more

M

Mayank Singh

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a week ago

* Application Window: The application window for SET 2025 opened on December 6, 2024, and will remain open until April 12, 2025.

H

Hemant Kumar Swami

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 4 weeks ago

Questions on mathematics in the SET exam are based on Class 10 and Class 12 levels. The SET entrance is a popular BBA exam that the students can take after Class 12. The difficulty level of the SET exam is usually easy. The SET question paper is divided into four sections, i.e. General English, Quan

...more

14801983
Saumya Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

While a background in mathematics can be beneficial for cracking the SET exam, it is not an absolute requirement. The SET exam assesses candidates on various subjects related to language, general knowledge and reasoning, and mathematics is just one component of the syllabus.

Candidates from various a

...more

14801983
Saumya Jain

Contributor-Level 10