AP SET Syllabus 2026: Check New Exam Pattern & Subject Wise Important Topics for Paper 1 and Paper 2
AP SET Syllabus 2026: AP SET 2026 exam will take place on 28th & 29th March 2026. The written exam comprises 150 questions from Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is about Teaching & Research Aptitude, and Paper 2 is subject-related. Download the latest AP SET syllabus 2026 and pattern.
AP SET Syllabus 2026: AP SET 2026 exam is scheduled for 28th & 29th March 2026. All the candidates planning to appear in the Andhra Pradesh State Eligibility Test must analyse the syllabus and pattern. This helps them integrate only relevant topics in their study plan. It will also help them get enough time for revision and practice. The APSET syllabus is typically divided into two papers. Paper 1 is based on Teaching & Research Aptitude, and Paper 2 is subject-related. It carries a total of 300 marks, and the test duration is 3 hours. Read ahead to know the latest AP SET syllabus and exam pattern.
Apply for AP SET 2026 HERE
AP SET Syllabus 2026
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, conducts AP SET exam to determine candidates’ eligibility for Assistant Professor/ Lecturer in Universities and Colleges in Andhra Pradesh. The exam authorities have released the APSET syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 on their official website. Candidates should first understand the syllabus and then clear all the concepts. After this, they should solve mocks and PYQs to advance their preparation. Below is the key overview of this eligibility test:
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Andhra University, Visakhapatnam |
| Exam Name | Andhra Pradesh State Eligibility Test (APSET) |
| Purpose | Determine the candidate’s eligibility for Assistant Professor/Lecturer in higher education institutions. |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Question Type | MCQs |
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Negative Marking Scheme | No |
AP SET Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates should check the AP SET exam pattern to understand the question format and marking scheme. The state eligibility test will be conducted via Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Paper 1 comprises 50 MCQs for 100 marks. Paper 2 comprises 100 MCQs for 200 marks. The overall exam duration will be 3 hours. As per the marking scheme, each question carries 2 marks, and there is no negative marking. Check APSET exam pattern for both papers below:
| Paper | Description | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Teaching & Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | 1 Hour |
| Paper II | Subject Paper | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
ALSO CHECK:
AP SET Eligibility Criteria 2026
AP SET Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 1
Here is the breakdown of the AP SET exam pattern for Paper 1, shared below for reference purposes:
| Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Teaching Aptitude | 5 questions | 10 marks | 1 hour |
| Research Aptitude | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Comprehension | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Communication | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Logical Reasoning | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Data Interpretation | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Information and Communication Technology(ICT) | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| People, Development and Environment | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Higher Education System | 5 questions | 10 marks | |
| Total | 50 | 100 |
AP SET Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 2
Paper-II comprises questions based on the subject selected by the aspirant. A total of 30 subjects are available for the APSET exam. This section is designed to test the candidate’s subject knowledge. Below is the AP SET exam pattern for Paper 2:
| Paper | Description | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper II | Subject Paper | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
AP SET Syllabus 2026 PDF
Candidates should access the AP SET syllabus PDF to determine the list of important topics. This will help them cover chapters that actually matter. This lets them learn, revise, and practice topics till they achieve mastery. Download APSET Syllabus 2026 PDF for Paper 1 and Paper 2 here.
Download AP SET PAPER 1 Syllabus HERE
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1
The AP SET Paper 1 syllabus is focused on the Teaching & Research Aptitude. This section tests an aspirant’s teaching and research capabilities. It is designed to check reasoning ability, comprehension, and general awareness. It will also assess their awareness about teaching and learning processes in the higher education system. Below is the topic-wise AP SET syllabus for Paper 1 shared below:
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Teaching Aptitude (Unit-I)
Below is the AP SET syllabus for Teaching Aptitude in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Teaching: Concept, Objectives, Levels of teaching (Memory, Understanding and Reflective), Characteristics and basic requirements.
• Learner’s characteristics: Characteristics of adolescent and adult learners (Academic, Social, Emotional and Cognitive), Individual differences.
• Factors affecting teaching related to: Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment and Institution.
• Methods of teaching in Institutions of higher learning: Teacher centred vs. Learner centred methods; Off-line vs. On-line methods (Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs etc.).
• Teaching Support System: Traditional, Modern and ICT based.
• Evaluation Systems: Elements and Types of evaluation, Evaluation in Choice Based Credit System in Higher education, Computer based testing, Innovations in evaluation systems.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Research Aptitude (Unit-II)
Below is the APSET syllabus for Research Aptitude in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Research: Meaning, Types, and Characteristics, Positivism and Post- positivistic approach to research.
• Methods of Research: Experimental, Descriptive, Historical, Qualitative and Quantitative methods.
• Steps of Research.
• Thesis and Article writing: Format and styles of referencing.
• Application of ICT in research.
• Research ethics.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Comprehension (Unit-III)
Below is the AP SET syllabus for Comprehension in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• A passage of text be given. Questions be asked from the passage to be answered.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Communication (Unit-IV)
Below is the AP SET syllabus for Communication in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Communication: Meaning, types and characteristics of communication.
• Effective communication: Verbal and Non-verbal, Inter-Cultural and group communications, Classroom communication.
• Barriers to effective communication.
• Mass-Media and Society.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude (Unit-V)
Below is the APSET syllabus for Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Types of reasoning.
• Number series, Letter series, Codes and Relationships.
• Mathematical Aptitude (Fraction, Time & Distance, Ratio, Proportion and Percentage, Profit and Loss, Interest and Discounting, Averages etc.).
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Logical Reasoning (Unit-VI)
Below is the APSET syllabus for Logical Reasoning in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Understanding the structure of arguments: argument forms, structure of categorical propositions, Mood and Figure, Formal and Informal fallacies, Uses of language, Connotations and denotations of terms, Classical square of opposition.
• Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning.
• Analogies.
• Venn diagram: Simple and multiple use for establishing validity of arguments.
• Indian Logic: Means of knowledge.
• Pramanas: Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), Shabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti (Implication) and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension).
• Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti (invariable relation), Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference).
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Data Interpretation (Unit-VII)
Below is the APSET syllabus for Data Interpretation in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Sources, acquisition and classification of Data.
• Quantitative and Qualitative Data.
• Graphical representation (Bar-chart, Histograms, Pie-chart, Table-chart and Line-chart) and mapping of Data.
• Data Interpretation.
• Data and Governance.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Information and Communication Technology(ICT) (Unit-VIII)
Below is the AP SET syllabus for ICT in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• ICT: General abbreviations and terminology.
• Basics of Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencing.
• Digital initiatives in higher education.
• ICT and Governance.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for People, Development and Environment (Unit-IX)
Below is the AP SET syllabus for People, Development and Environment in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Development and environment: Millennium development and Sustainable development goals.
• Human and environment interaction: Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on the environment.
• Environmental issues: Local, Regional and Global; Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Waste (solid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, electronic), Climate change and its Socio- Economic and Political dimensions.
• Impacts of pollutants on human health.
• Natural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear and Forests.
• Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies.
• Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements/efforts -Montreal Protocol, Rio Summit, Convention on Biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Higher Education System (Unit-X)
Below is the AP SET syllabus for the Higher Education System in Paper 1 for reference purposes.
• Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India.
• Evolution of higher learning and research in Post Independence India.
• Oriental, Conventional and Non-conventional learning programmes in India.
• Professional, Technical and Skill Based education.
• Value education and environmental education.
• Policies, Governance, and Administration.
AP SET Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2
A total of 30 subjects are available for AP SET Paper 2. Paper-II includes questions based on the subject selected by the aspirant. It is designed to test the subject knowledge of the candidate. Below is the subject-wise AP SET syllabus for Paper II shared below:
| Subject | Download Link |
| Anthropology | |
| History | |
| Chemical Sciences | |
| Commerce | |
| Computer Science & Application | |
| Economics | |
| Education | |
| English | |
| Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Science | |
| Environmental Science | |
| Geography | |
| Hindi | |
| Journalism and Mass Communications | |
| Law | |
| Life Sciences | |
| Library and information Science | |
| Management | |
| Mathematical Sciences | |
| Physical Sciences | |
| Physical Education | |
| Philosophy | |
| Political Science | |
| Psychology | |
| Public Administration | |
| Sanskrit | |
| Sociology | |
| Social Work | |
| Telugu | |
| Urdu | |
| Visual Arts |
AP SET Syllabus for Anthropology
Here are the important topics covered in the APSET syllabus for Anthropology:
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History, development, aim and scope of Anthropology,
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Trends in Primate Radiation
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Modern Human Variation
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Human Growth, development and maturation, etc
APSET Syllabus for History
Some essential topics covered in the AP SET syllabus for History are:
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Negotiating the Sources: Archaeological Sources
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From State to Empire
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Emergence of Regional Kingdoms
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Source of Medieval Indian History
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Administration & Economy, etc
AP SET Syllabus for Chemical Sciences
Here are the important topics covered in the APSET syllabus for Chemical Sciences:
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Inorganic Chemistry
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Physical Chemistry
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Organic Chemistry, etc
AP SET Syllabus for Commerce
Some essential topics covered in the AP SET syllabus for Commerce are:
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Unit 1: Business Environment and International Business
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Unit 2: Accounting and Auditing
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Unit 3: Business Economics
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Unit 4: Business Finance
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Unit 5: Business Statistics and Research Methods
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Unit 6: Business Management and Human Resource Management
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Unit 7: Banking and Financial Institutions
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Unit 8: Marketing Management
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Unit 9: Legal Aspects of Business
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Unit 10: Income-tax and Corporate Tax Planning
AP SET Syllabus for Computer Science & Application
Here are the important topics covered in the APSET syllabus for Computer Science & Application:
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Unit-1 : Discrete Structures and Optimization
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Unit-2 : Computer System Architecture
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Unit-3 : Programming Languages and Computer Graphics
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Unit-4 : Database Management Systems
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Unit-5 : System Software and Operating System
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Unit-6 : Software Engineering, etc
AP SET Syllabus for Economics
Some essential topics covered in the AP SET syllabus for Economics are:
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Micro Economics
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Macro Economics
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Statistics and Econometrics
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Mathematical Economics
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International Economics, etc
AP SET Syllabus for Education
Some important topics covered in the APSET syllabus for Education are:
Unit 1: Educational Studies
Unit 2: History, Politics and Economics of Education
Unit 3: Learner and Learning Process
Unit 4: Teacher Education, etc
AP SET Syllabus for English
Some important topics covered in the APSET syllabus for English are:
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Unit-I : Drama
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Unit-II : Poetry
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Unit-III : Fiction, short story
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Unit-IV : Non Fictional Prose
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Unit-V :Language: Basic concepts, theories and pedagogy. English in Use.
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Unit-VI :English in India: history, evolution and futures
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Unit-VII : Cultural Studies
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Unit-VIII : Literary Criticism
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Unit-IX : Literary Theory post World War II
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Unit-X : Research Methods and Materials in English
AP SET Syllabus for Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Science
Here are the important topics covered in the APSET syllabus for Earth, Atmospheric, etc:
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The Earth and the Solar System
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GEOLOGY
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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
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GEOPHYSICS
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METEOROLOGY, etc
How to Cover the AP SET Syllabus 2026?
AP SET exam preparation requires dedication, consistency, and smart planning. Below are the tips and tricks to excel in the written test:
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Analyse the AP SET syllabus to cover only crucial topics.
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Make a study plan to balance learning and practice.
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Attempt mocks and PYQs to improve speed and accuracy.
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Maintain short notes for last-minute revision of the entire syllabus.
Upasna is an education journalist and subject matter expert with an extensive background in the competitive exam landscape. Currently contributing to the Exam Prep Section of Jagran Josh, Upasna specializes in creating well-researched, aspirant-centric content and simplifying complex topics for competitive examinations. Her academic expertise, coupled with her own firsthand experience preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, helps her provide strategic preparation insights and a comprehensive perspective to aspirants. She holds a Master's degree in Forensic Chemical Sciences. Apart from delivering valuable exam resources, Upasna is a passionate communications professional who also enjoys reading and writing.