AP PGECET 2026: Exam Date (OUT), Notification, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation

AP PGECET 2026 exam dates are available. The test will be held across 3 days: April 29, 30, and May 2, 2026. The conducting authority is expected to release the AP PGECET application form 2026 in the 1st week/ 2nd week of March 2026. To apply, you must hold a relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ ST applicants). Additionally, you must also satisfy local/non-local eligibility rules to be considered for seat allotment. Students awaiting the results of their final year degree examination may still apply, provided they meet the conditions during counselling. 

Admission is merit-based, but aspirants with GATE/ GPAT scores in the relevant branch get a direct advantage during seat allocation. The remaining seats will be filled with those who qualify in AP PGECET.

AP PGECET is held in a Computer-based mode, and all 120 questions are objective type. Overall, the duration is 2 hours and the total mark is 120, and there is no negative marking. The test is conducted by Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, on behalf of APSCHE for entry into approved postgraduate programmes such as M.Tech/ M.Pharm/ Pharm.D (PB) courses in University Engineering/ Pharmacy colleges and their affiliated institutes approved by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

The direct link to the AP PGECET 2026 application form will be updated below once it is live.

N.B. The Instruction booklet uploaded above is from 2025-26 for reference purposes. Once the latest is issued, we shall update the latest one.

The AP PGECET 2026 exam highlights are provided below.

Candidates can check the AP PGECET 2026 exam dates in the table below. 

AP PGECET eligibility criteria specify the conditions to be met by the applicants for admission.  Applicants must be Indian nationals and belong to Andhra Pradesh as per the domicile guidelines. 

A qualifying degree in the relevant field is mandatory based on the course they are applying for (specific PG programme). The minimum marks required are 50% (General) and 45% (SC/ST). Those in the final semester of their undergraduate degree, such as B.Tech / B.Pharm, can also apply, provided they submit proof of completion by counselling. Additionally, the local/ non-local reservation rules of Andhra Pradesh apply to 85% of seats.

The AP PGECET application form is released online by the conducting authority around March every year. In the first stage, the application fee must be paid through the AP Online services or the Payment Gateway provided by Credit Card/ Debit Card/ Net banking. Once done, you must confirm your payment status and fill out your AP PGECET application form by entering details such as Aspirant's Name, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Category, information regarding Economically Weaker Sections, Bank details, address, Mobile number, email id, details regarding other educational qualifications like SSC, Intermediate, Bachelor's degee, Test Centre preference, Scanned Photo and Signature, etc.

In the final step, make sure to verify the information carefully, submit the form, and take a printout of it for further reference.

AP PGECET Application Fee

The application fee for AP PGECET is provided below as per respective categories.

The AP PGECET exam pattern indicates the structure of the examination. The exam is held in online mode, typically across 2 to 3 days in two sessions: morning and afternoon. Exam takers get to attempt questions directly on their computer screens at the AP PGECET exam centre, and the duration is 2 hours. 

The paper consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, and each question carries one mark, making the total score 120. No marks are deducted for wrong attempts, which gives aspirants the freedom to attempt every question without worrying about losing marks. The question paper is set entirely in English and is designed to evaluate knowledge gained from undergraduate engineering or pharmacy courses.

The AP PGECET syllabus is entirely based on the undergraduate curriculum of the relevant B.Tech or B.Pharm programme, depending on the course you wish to pursue. Since multiple PG specialisations are offered through this entrance exam, you must choose the correct test paper that aligns with your qualifying degree as well as your preferred postgraduate branch. 

The AP PGECET syllabus for each paper is provided separately on the official portal, and you can view or download the branch-specific PDF through the “Syllabus” section. Make sure to go through the key concepts and associated topics. Reviewing each unit in advance helps in planning a realistic preparation schedule and avoiding unnecessary topics.

The AP PGECET admit card is a mandatory document to appear for the test. It features exam centre details, timings, personal information, test instructions, etc. To download the hall ticket, you must visit the official website and fill in particulars such as registration number, qualifying examination hall ticket number, date of birth, and paper for the entrance test. After retrieving the copy, make sure to cross-check the details. If there are any errors, reach out to the AP PGECET help desk and get them corrected.

Along with the AP PGECET admit card, you must carry a valid photo identification card such as Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Driving License, etc. The conducting authority doesn't send them via post, hence timely download is crucial.

The AP PGECET answer key is usually released a few days after the exam on the official portal. You can download the preliminary key, response sheets and verify your answers to find out your approximate score.

A specific window is provided to submit objections against any question or answer you believe is incorrect. You have to pay the required fee via the portal and submit relevant evidence related to it. Once the review is completed, the final answer key is issued, if the grievances are found valid and are used for evaluating the candidates’ results and rank. This process ensures transparency and fairness in marking, allowing students to feel confident about the accuracy of their performance evaluation.

AP PGECET result is typically released in online mode within a few weeks after the exam is conducted, which can be viewed from the portal by entering registration number and hall ticket number. Along with it, the conducting body also releases the AP PGECET rank card separately. 

You must download both and retain them safely for future reference during counselling and document verification. To qualify in AP PGECET, you must score at least 30 marks (25%) out of 120 (total), except SC/ST candidates who have no minimum qualifying marks requirement for ranking. However, if a reservation claim is later found incorrect, rank qualifying relaxation may be withdrawn. 

Examinees who clear the AP PGECET exam are eligible to take part in the AP PGECET counselling process, which is typically organised across 2 rounds and is handled online except for the college reporting phase. 

Please note that you’ll need to register again for counselling as per the schedule, as this step is different from applying for the exam, and missing it means you won’t be considered for seat allotment. GATE/ GPAT-qualified students get priority in seat allocation based on their entrance scores. The 85% local quota rule is applied as per AP norms. Seat allotment is done according to merit, preferences, and course availability. 

The main stages of AP PGECET counselling include online registration, fee payment, online certificate verification, web options entry, web selections editing, release of seat allotment, self-joining, and college reporting.

Here are the stages into which the AP PGECET 2026 exam is divided:

1. Release of notification regarding the AP PGECET Exam

2. Online Application Process

3. Continuation of Online Application Process with Late Fee

4. Re-Submission of Online Application Forms with Corrections

5. Availability of AP PGECET Admit Card

6. Release of Answer Key

7. Announcement of AP PGECET Result

8. Conduct of Counselling Round/s

9. Seat Allotment and Commencement of Regular Classes

Here are some advantages of appearing in AP PGECET.

• AP PGECET provides a genuine admission pathway for students who do not have GATE or GPAT scores, ensuring they still have a strong opportunity for PG engineering and pharmacy studies.
• Appearing for AP PGECET opens doors to state universities, government colleges, and top private colleges across Andhra Pradesh, offering M.Tech, M.Pharm, and Pharm.D (PB) programmes.
• The exam offers 85% local reservation, giving Andhra Pradesh students a considerable advantage in seat allocation.
• The fee structure for colleges in AP through PGECET is generally affordable, reducing financial burden for families.

AP PGECET is conducted by Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) along with a partner university appointed for each exam cycle. The institution takes responsibility for the complete examination cycle, including application management, test execution, and declaration of results. APSCHE oversees academic policies and ensures that admissions are aligned with state-level higher education standards.