AP SET 2025 Exam Pattern - Check Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Chapter Wise Weightage, Duration

Updated By Puja Gupta on 05 Mar, 2026 16:07

82 days Remaining for the exam

The AP SET 2025 exam pattern includes two papers conducted in online mode on the same day- Paper I (Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper II (Subject-specific). Both papers consist of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with a fixed time duration and no negative marking.

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AP SET Exam Pattern 2025

Understanding the AP SET 2025 exam pattern is extremely important for candidates who are preparing for the examination, as it removes uncertainty about the question format, marking scheme, and time allocation. When aspirants are familiar with the exam structure in advance, they can plan their preparation in a more focused and strategic manner. It also helps them identify the most important sections, weightage of topics, and frequently asked areas, allowing them to prioritize their study plan and practice effectively.

The Andhra Pradesh State Eligibility Test (AP SET) is conducted annually by Andhra University to determine the eligibility of candidates for the posts of Assistant Professor and Lecturer in universities and degree colleges across Andhra Pradesh. The exam is designed to evaluate both teaching and research aptitude as well as subject-specific knowledge.

The AP SET 2025 examination consists of two papers conducted on the same day. Paper I focuses on general teaching and research aptitude, including reasoning ability, comprehension, communication, and higher education awareness. Paper II is a subject-specific paper that tests the candidate’s expertise in their chosen discipline. Candidates must appear for both papers after successfully submitting the AP SET 2025 application form. Detailed information about the exam pattern is provided in the sections below.

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AP SET 2025 Exam Pattern Highlights

The AP SET 2025 exam is conducted in online mode, where candidates must attempt all questions on a computer within a total duration of 3 hours. The question paper covers both general aptitude and subject-specific content, and all questions are in objective (MCQ) format.
Here is a quick overview of the key highlights of the AP SET 2025 exam pattern:

  • The exam comprises Paper I and Paper II, and candidates must appear in both papers to be eligible for the qualification process.
  • Paper I is common for all candidates regardless of their chosen subject, while Paper II is subject-specific and based on the subject opted for by the candidate at the time of registration.
  • Paper I is conducted bilingually in Telugu and English, giving candidates the flexibility to attempt questions in their preferred language.
  • Paper II is also conducted bilingually for subjects such as Economics, Commerce, History, Education, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Work, and Sociology. However, language subjects are conducted in the respective language only and are exempt from the bilingual format.
  • All questions across both papers are MCQ-based with a single correct answer per question.
  • The exam carries negative marking- candidates must therefore attempt questions carefully and avoid guessing, as incorrect responses will result in a deduction of marks.

AP SET Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper I and II

In Paper I, there will be 50 compulsory objective-type questions, each carrying 2 marks. The duration of this paper is 1 hour. The exam will be conducted bilingually, which implies, the exam will be conducted in both English and Telugu. Paper II will be conducted for the subjects chosen by the candidates. There will be 100 compulsory objective-type questions in Paper II, each carrying 2 marks. The duration of Paper II is 2 hours. The AP SET Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper 1 and 2 have been provided below.

AP SET Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper 1 and 2
PaperLanguageSubjects/SectionsMarksQuestionsDuration
IBilingualGeneral Awareness100501 Hour
IIBilingualSubject Concerned2001002 Hours
Total3001503 Hours

Detailed Exam Pattern for AP SET 2025 Paper I

Given below is the detailed exam pattern for AP SET 2025 of both Papers I and Paper-II. The total number of questions to be asked, marks that each question carries and time duration have also been mentioned in the detailed AP SET 2025 exam pattern:

AP SET Paper NameTotal Number of QuestionsTotal MarksTime Duration
Paper-I ( General Studies)50 questions100 marks1 Hour (9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.) IST
Paper-II ( Subject Paper )100 questions200 marks2 Hours (10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.) IST

Check the table below for a more detailed understanding of the Paper I exam pattern.

PartSections (Multiple Choice Questions)QuestionsMarks
ITeaching Aptitude510
IIResearch Aptitude510
IIIReading Comprehension510
IVCommunication510
VReasoning (including Maths)510
VILogical Reasoning510
VIIData Interpretation510
VIIIInformation & Communication Technology510
IXPeople and Environment510
XHigher Education System: Governance, Polity & Administration510
Total50100

Detailed Exam Pattern for AP SET Paper II

Question distribution in Paper-II will not be the same for everyone since there are various subjects.

CodeSubjectCodeSubjectCodeSubject
01Anthropology11Geography21Philosophy
02History12Hindi22Political Science
03Chemical Sciences13Journalism & Mass Communication23Psychology
04Commerce14Law24Public Administration
05Computer science & Application15Life Sciences25Sanskrit
06Economics16Library and Information Sc.26Sociology
07Education17Management27Social Work
08English18Mathematical Sciences28Telugu
09Earth and Planetary Sciences19Physical Sciences29Urdu
10Environmental Sciences20Physical Education30Visual Arts

AP SET 2025 Exam Marking Scheme

Other than acquiring in-depth information regarding the AP SET 2025 exam pattern, the candidates must also know a thing or two about the AP SET 2025 marking scheme. The marking scheme has been mentioned below:

  • Each question in Paper-I (General Paper) will be of 2 marks. So, there are 50 questions and the maximum marks are 100.
  • Each question in Paper-II (Subject Paper) will be of 2 marks and there are 100 questions and the maximum number of marks that can be scored are 200 marks.
  • The candidates will be given four options to choose from to answer a question asked to them

  • The candidates will be given 1 hour and 2 hours respectively to complete both Papers I and Paper II of the AP SET 2025 exam

  • AP SET 2025 paper will not have any negative marking.

Check the table below for an overview of the AP SET Marking Scheme 2025.

AP SET Marking Scheme 2025
ParticularsPaper 1 Paper 2
Type of QuestionsObjective-based QuestionsObjective-based Questions
Total marks100 marks200 marks

Marking Scheme

  • 2 marks each for the correct answer.
  •  0 mark for incorrect answer marked
  • 2 marks each for a correct answer.
  • 0 mark for incorrect answer marked

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FAQs about AP SET Exam Pattern

How many options are available for each question asked in the APSET paper?

For each question, the candidates are given four similar options. The candidates are required to mark the one which is the correct or near correct option among the four options provided under each question.

How many marks will be awarded for correct responses in the APSET paper?

For each correct response in the APSET paper, the candidates are awarded +2 marks.

Is there negative marking for wrong responses in the APSET paper?

No, the candidates are not penalised for any wrong attempts in the APSET paper.

Will both the APSET papers be conducted in bilingual mode?

No, only the first paper of APSET exam will be conducted in bilingual mode (Telugu & English) and language subjects of the APSET Paper-II.

How many subject options are available for the second paper of APSET exam?

A total of 31 subject options are available for the candidates to choose from for the second paper of APSET like Hindi, English, Commerce, Archaeology, Life Sciences etc.

What is the total duration of the APSET exam?

The APSET exam is conducted over a total duration of 180 minutes or 3 hours.

How many questions are asked in the APSET paper?

The APSET question paper comprises of a total of 150 questions divided into two papers.

How many papers are there in the APSET exam?

The APSET exam comprises of two papers - Paper I (general) and Paper-II (subject chosen by the candidates).

Why should one know about the APSET exam pattern in details?

By knowing the APSET exam pattern, the candidates can prepare themselves in a way that will help them secure high marks in the state eligibility test.

Why is APSET conducted?

APSET is conducted to determine the eligibility of those candidates who wish to join the positions of lecturers and associate professors in various government and private varsities in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

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