AP SET Exam is a competitive examination for the eligibility of candidates aspiring to become Assistant Professors in universities and colleges of Andhra Pradesh. AP SET 2025 is expected to follow a similar schedule and pattern as the AP SET 2024 previous year’s examination. This article would state all relevant information with respect to the AP SET 2025 concerning eligibility, exam pattern, application procedure, syllabus and much more.
What is the AP SET Exam?
AP SET Exam which stands for Andhra Pradesh State Eligibility Test. This is a state level eligibility test for candidates seeking positions as Assistant Professors or Lecturers in Higher Education Institutions in the state Andhra Pradesh. The test examines one’s teaching and research capability in the subject selected by the candidate. AP SET is conducted and organized by Andhra University as the conducting body on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
AP SET 2025 Important Dates (Tentative)
The tentative date for AP SET Exam 2025 are mentioned below according to previous year AP SET 2024 details:
Event | Date (Tentative) |
Notification Release | May 2025 |
Application Start Date | May 2025 |
Application End Date | June 2025 |
Admit Card Release Date | July 2025 |
Examination Date | August 2025 |
Answer Key Release | August 2025 |
Result Declaration | September 2025 |
AP SET Eligibility Criteria
AP SET is a state level test held for determining eligibility to become Assistant Professor in any college or university. The candidates must ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility criteria before applying for APSET 2025. Eligibility Criteria of APSET 2025 are given below:
AP SET Educational Qualifications
- General/Unreserved/General-EWS Candidates: Should have obtained at least 55% marks in a Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from any of the recognized universities/institutions recognized by the UGC.
- OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender Candidates: Having at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in a Master Degree or equivalent examination.
- Eligible Candidates: Those candidates who are in the final year of their Master’s degree or whose results are awaited can apply. However, they must complete their Master’s degree with the prescribed percentage within two years from the date of the result of APSET, otherwise they will be disqualified.
AP SET Age Limit
- There is no upper age limit for applying to AP SET 2025.
AP SET Exemptions
- Ph.D. Degree Holders: Candidates who have acquired Master’s level examination degree till 19th September 1991 are allowed to relax 5% in aggregate marks, which may bring down the requirement from 55% to 50%.
- SET Qualified Candidates: All those candidates who had got cleared the State Eligibility Test (SET) authorized by UGC prior 1st June 2002 are exempted to appearing in APSET and they can apply for Assistant Professor seats in all over India while those who qualified after above date, their eligibility to apply for Assistant Professor ship is restricted to colleges or universities of Andhra Pradesh.
AP SET Subject Selection
- Candidates should appear in only the subject of their Post-Graduation. If that subject is not included in the list of APSET subjects, they may appear in the related subject.
AP SET Syllabus
AP SET is an eligibility test, which will be conducted by the State Council of Higher Education for the post of Assistant Professor in Andhra Pradesh Universities and colleges. It consists of two papers i.e Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both papers syllabus is described below:
AP SET Paper I Syllabus (General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude)
This paper is common for all candidates and tests general knowledge and teaching skills.
- Teaching Aptitude: Teaching methods, principles, and techniques.
- Research Aptitude: Research types, methods, and ethics.
- Reading Comprehension: Based on the passage and answering questions.
- Communication: Modes, methods, and barriers in communication.
- Reasoning (Including Mathematical): Logical and analytical reasoning.
- Data Interpretation: Graphs, charts, and tables.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Usage in teaching, internet, and digital tools.
- People and Environment: Environmental issues, sustainability, and biodiversity.
- Higher Education System: Policies, governance, and regulatory bodies.
AP SET Paper II Syllabus (Subject-specific Paper)
This paper is an assessment of the knowledge of the candidate on a subject in his/ her preference. The syllabus of Paper II is built with the subject selected by the candidate from the list of available subjects offered in the AP SET Syllabus.
Subject Code | Subjects |
0 | General Paper |
1 | Anthropology |
2 | History |
3 | Chemical Sciences |
4 | Commerce |
5 | Computer Science & Application |
6 | Economics |
7 | Education |
8 | English |
9 | Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Science |
10 | Environmental Science |
11 | Geography |
12 | Hindi |
13 | Journalism and Mass Communications |
14 | Law |
15 | Life Sciences |
16 | Library and Information Science |
17 | Management |
18 | Mathematical Sciences |
19 | Physical Sciences |
20 | Physical Education |
21 | Philosophy |
22 | Political Science |
23 | Psychology |
24 | Public Administration |
25 | Sanskrit |
26 | Sociology |
27 | Social Work |
28 | Telugu |
29 | Urdu |
30 | Visual Arts |
AP SET 2025 Application Form
The AP SET 2025 application process is expected to start in May 2025 (tentative) as per the schedule of the previous year. The applicants must submit their applications online through the official website of APSET. The registration process for starting the application begins with providing basic details like name, date of birth, email ID and mobile number. Once the application form has been processed successfully, candidates must go through the completed form for its accuracy and then submit it before the deadline. It is recommended to save or print a copy of the application form for future reference.
AP SET Admit Card 2025
The expected date for publishing the admit card for AP SET 2025 is during July 2025. The candidate will be able to download the admit cards through the official website through the provided registration ID and password. It is mandatory to carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the exam center. Following are the information included in the admit card:
- Candidate’s Name
- Roll Number
- Photograph and Signature
- Exam Date and Time
- Examination Center Address
- Exam Instructions
AP SET Exam Pattern
The AP SET exam has two papers, and both are held on the same day. The detailed pattern is as follows:
Paper | Duration | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Type of Questions |
Paper I | 1 hour | 50 | 2 | 100 | General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude |
Paper II | 2 hours | 100 | 2 | 200 | Subject-specific (chosen by the candidate) |
AP SET Result 2025
The results for AP SET 2025 are expected to be announced in September 2025 (As per previous year AP SET 2024). The results can be checked from the official website by entering the roll number. The selected candidates will receive an eligibility certificate for Assistant Professorship based on their performance in both papers of the entrance test.
AP SET Answer Key
The provisional key for AP SET 2025 will be published on the website within a week after the exam in August 2025. Objections towards the provisional key can be raised by candidates within a stipulated time frame. Answer keys along with the final results will be published on the website.
AP SET Preparation Tips 2025
Here are some AP SET preparation tips to help you effectively prepare for the exam:
- Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Begin with a detailed review of the AP SET syllabus for Paper I (General Paper) and Paper II (Subject-specific). Identify key topics to avoid spending unnecessary time on irrelevant areas.
- Time Management: Create a study schedule that would allocate time to each subject according to the difficulty level. Candidates should prioritize Paper I, which is common for all and ensure all topics are covered. The amount of time devoted to Paper II will be for the subject chosen, because it will test your specialized knowledge.
- Strengthen the basics: For Paper I, General knowledge and concepts related to teaching. For Paper II, improve your subject knowledge. Refer to textbooks, notes and reference books.
- Study from Reliable Resources: Choose NCERT books and standard reference books for your subject. For Paper II, stick to previous year’s question papers and model papers. For Paper I, consult books that are specifically tailored for UGC NET since the content is the same.
- Practice mock tests and previous papers: Regular practice of mock tests gives an idea about the pattern of the exam and time management. It helps to solve previous years’ question papers to get an idea about the type of questions asked and their difficulty level. This also identifies weak areas.
- Revise regularly: Revise every day. The more you revise, the better your retention of concepts. Write down a few summary points or mind maps to breeze through major topics.
- Focus on Conceptual Clarity: Engage to understand concepts rather than remember the facts. Try real life examples and applications as many times as possible, relating them to your subject and its content.
- Stay Confident: Keep the mind positive and confident during the preparation phase. Avoid stress and focus on consistent, steady preparation.
Conclusion
The AP SET 2025 exam is a significant step for aspiring Assistant Professors in Andhra Pradesh. The well-defined syllabus, clearly specified eligibility criteria, and no negative marking facilitate an equal opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their teaching capabilities as well as the subjects’ expertise. Preparing well through an in-depth understanding of the syllabus, practicing previous years’ papers, and consistent preparation will help the candidates succeed better. Good luck with your preparation!
AP SET Exam 2025 FAQs
The tentative date for AP SET Exam 2025 is May 2025 in which notification will be released.
Upper age limit is not fixed for AP SET.
There will be two papers in this exam- Paper I(General) and Paper II (Subject-specific).
Yes, candidates from all of India can apply for AP SET, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
There is no negative marking in AP SET Exam.