What is the most common question students ask after the SET exam is over? Many aspirants assume that a good SET score guarantees admission, but that is not how the SET exam selection process works.
The SET exam is only a qualifying stage. Final admission depends mainly on the SET exam PI process, along with WAT/GE (where applicable) and institute-wise cut-offs.
Understanding the SET exam next steps—from shortlisting to interviews—is critical to converting a call into a final offer.
This blog explains the entire post-SET journey clearly and practically.
SET Result & Shortlisting: What It Really Means
After the SET results are announced, many students misunderstand what the score actually signifies.
- The SET exam result does not confirm admission; it only determines eligibility for the next stage of the SET exam selection process.
- SET is a screening test, and each Symbiosis institute applies its own cutoff based on the number of applicants, seat intake, and program demand.
- Clearing the cutoff means you are shortlisted for the SET exam PI process, not that you are selected.
- Institutes such as SCMS Pune, SCMS Noida, SICSR, and others independently release shortlist notifications and PI schedules.
- This is why two students with similar SET scores may receive different calls.
Understanding this distinction is crucial to planning the right SET exam next steps and focusing on interview preparation rather than just the score.
Institutes Accepting SET & Their Selection Process
Several Symbiosis institutes accept SET scores, but the SET exam selection process differs across campuses and programs. Each institute releases its own cutoffs and shortlists and conducts an independent SET exam PI process.
Some institutes also include a Written Ability Test (WAT) or Group Exercise (GE) as part of the final evaluation.
The most popular SET-accepting institutes for management and technology programs include the following:
| Institute | Programme(s) | Selection Stages |
| SCMS Pune | BBA | SET Score + PI |
| SCMS Noida / Nagpur / Bengaluru / Hyderabad | BBA | SET Score + PI |
| SICSR Pune | BBA-IT | SET Score + PI |
Because the SET exam’s next steps vary by institute, candidates must track institute-specific emails, dashboards, and timelines carefully to avoid missing their PI calls.
The PI Process After SET: Structure & Evaluation
The SET exam PI process is the most decisive stage in the admission cycle. It carries significant weight in the final merit list. Most Symbiosis institutes conduct the PI online, especially for BBA, BBA-IT, BCA, and Economics programs. The interview typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes and is conducted by a panel of faculty members.
During the SET interview preparation phase, students must understand what interviewers actually assess. The PI is not a stress interview but a structured evaluation of overall fit.
- Key parameters include communication skills, clarity of academic concepts, awareness of current affairs, confidence, and motivation to pursue the chosen programme.
Candidates are also assessed on personality traits, extracurricular involvement, and their ability to articulate long-term goals.
Significantly, a high SET score cannot compensate for a weak PI performance. This is why the SET exam’s next steps must prioritise interview readiness.
Institutes often give 30% weightage to PI scores, making focused SET exam PI preparation essential for final selection.
Written Ability Test (WAT) / GE: Role & Importance
The Written Ability Test (WAT) or Group Exercise (GE), where applicable, plays a crucial supporting role in the SET exam selection process. Some Symbiosis institutes—especially for technology and specialised programs—use WAT to evaluate a candidate’s thought clarity and written communication before or alongside the SET exam PI process.
WAT topics are usually based on current affairs, social issues, business trends, or opinion-driven themes. Evaluators focus on structure, logical flow, relevance to the subject, grammar, and originality of ideas. A weak WAT performance can negatively impact overall scores, even with a decent PI.
As part of the SET exam next steps, candidates must prepare concise introductions, structured arguments, and clear conclusions to ensure strong performance in WAT/GE rounds.
Important Timelines After SET Result.
Once the SET result is declared, the SET exam’s next steps follow a tight and institute-specific timeline. After the results, institutes release shortlists, followed by PI slot booking, interview dates, and merit list announcements. These timelines vary across SCMS campuses, SICSR, and other Symbiosis institutes, often overlapping within a short window.
- Missing a deadline—such as a fee payment, slot booking, or document upload—can result in automatic disqualification, regardless of the SET score. Therefore, candidates must regularly monitor registered email IDs and institute dashboards.
Effective planning during this phase ensures smooth navigation of the SET exam selection process and timely participation in the SET exam PI process.
How to Prepare Strategically for SET PI
Strategic preparation is essential to succeed in the SET exam PI process, as interviews play a decisive role in final selection.
- The first step in SET interview preparation is revising core academic concepts for the chosen programme, such as BBA, BBA-IT, BCA, or Economics.
- Interviewers expect clarity on subjects studied in Class 11–12 and basic domain awareness.
- Candidates must also prepare strong answers to common HR questions, such as “Why Symbiosis?” “Why this course?”, and “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
- Staying up to date with current affairs, business news, and social issues is critical, as these topics frequently appear in PI discussions.
- Mock interviews are among the most effective next steps for the SET exam, helping students improve articulation, confidence, and body language.
- Common mistakes to avoid include vague responses, memorised answers, overconfidence, and a lack of institute-specific knowledge.
Focused SET exam PI preparation significantly improves conversion chances, even for average SET scores.
What If You Don’t Clear the First Merit List?
Not clearing the first merit list does not mean the end of the SET exam selection process. Many Symbiosis institutes release multiple merit lists as candidates withdraw or accept offers from other campuses. Students placed on waitlists still have a strong chance of conversion, especially with good PI performance.
At this stage, the next steps for the right SET exam include tracking subsequent lists, keeping documents ready, and staying prepared for backup institute options. A strong interview impression often works in your favour across later rounds.
How Tarkashastra Helps After the SET Exam
Once the SET exam is over, the real challenge begins—converting the call. Tarkashastra specialises in guiding students through the most critical next steps for the SET exam, with a sharp focus on the SET exam PI process and WAT readiness.
Our post-SET support includes structured PI preparation, programme-specific academic revision, alignment with current affairs, and mock interviews with detailed feedback. Students are trained to answer HR, educational, and opinion-based questions with clarity and confidence.
- For institutes where WAT is applicable, Tarkashastra provides proven writing frameworks to improve structure and content quality.
What sets Tarkashastra apart is its conversion-oriented approach. The focus is not just on preparation, but on helping students present the best version of themselves during the SET exam selection process, significantly improving final admission outcomes.
Conclusion: Turning Your SET Score into a Final Admit
The SET exam is only the first checkpoint in the Symbiosis admission journey. Final selection depends on how effectively you handle the SET exam PI process and subsequent evaluations. A high score helps, but structured preparation, clarity of goals, and confident communication decide the outcome.
By understanding the SET exam next steps and preparing strategically, even an average SET score can be converted into a confirmed admit. The right approach at this stage makes all the difference.
FAQs: What happens after the SET Exam? PI Process & Next Steps
1. Does a good SET score guarantee admission to Symbiosis?
No. The SET exam is only a qualifying stage. Final admission is determined by the SET exam PI process, WAT/GE (if applicable), and institute-wise cut-offs.
2. What happens after the SET result is declared?
After the SET results are released, institutes release shortlists based on cut-offs. Shortlisted candidates must appear for the SET exam PI process and other evaluation rounds.
3. Is the PI round mandatory after SET?
Yes. The Personal Interview is compulsory and carries significant weightage in the SET exam selection process.
4. How much weightage does PI have in the final selection?
Most Symbiosis institutes assign 30% weightage to PI scores, making it a decisive factor.
5. Do all institutes conduct WAT after SET?
No. WAT or GE is conducted only by specific institutes and programmes, mainly for technology or specialised courses.
6. What kind of questions are asked in SET PI?
Questions focus on academics, current affairs, career goals, communication skills, personality, and motivation for the chosen programme.
7. Can an average SET score be converted into admission?
Yes. Strong performance in the SET exam PI process can compensate for an average SET score.
8. What if I don’t clear the first merit list?
Many institutes release multiple merit lists. Candidates on waitlists still have a good chance of conversion.
9. Is the SET PI conducted online or offline?
Most Symbiosis institutes conduct the PI online.
10. How can Tarkashastra help after the SET exam?
Tarkashastra provides focused SET PI and WAT preparation, mock interviews, academic revision, and conversion-oriented mentoring.
