To perform well and prepare well for the AP POLYCET exam 2026, you must have a clear understanding of the AP POLYCET exam pattern, including total marks, question distribution, marking scheme, duration, and subject-wise weightage.
The AP POLYCET 2026 exam is a state-level entrance exam conducted by SBTET, Andhra Pradesh. It serves as a gateway for admission into diploma courses in both engineering and non-engineering streams in colleges across the state of Andhra Pradesh. To perform well and prepare well for the AP POLYCET exam 2026, you must have a clear understanding of the AP POLYCET exam pattern, including total marks, question distribution, marking scheme, duration, and subject-wise weightage.
In this article, we will be discussing the exam pattern, including the latest exam pattern, section-wise analysis, and preparation strategy based on the AP POLYCET syllabus.
Overview of AP Polycet 2026 Exam Pattern
The AP POLYCET exam pattern 2026 will help you to plan and make a strategic preparation plan. It will help you to know about the structure of the question paper, its marking scheme, and the time allocation required for each subject.
The AP POLYCET 2026 marking scheme is as follows:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test (AP POLYCET) 2026 |
|
Conducting Body |
State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET), Andhra Pradesh |
|
Exam Mode |
Offline (Pen and Paper-based OMR Exam) |
|
Type of Questions |
Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs) |
|
Total Questions |
120 |
|
Total Marks |
120 |
|
Subjects Covered |
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
|
Exam Duration |
2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
|
Medium of Exam |
English and Telugu (Bilingual) |
|
Negative Marking |
No Negative Marking |
|
Qualifying Marks |
Minimum 36 out of 120 marks (30%) for General candidates; No minimum marks for SC/ST candidates |
AP Polycet 2026 Subject-Wise Question Distribution
The AP POLYCET 2026 subject-wise question distribution will help you to decide your priority to stat the preparation with. The AP POLYCET 2026 subject-wise question distribution is as follows:
|
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
|
Mathematics |
60 |
60 |
|
Physics |
30 |
30 |
|
Chemistry |
30 |
30 |
|
Total |
120 |
120 |
AP POLYCET 2026 Section-Wise Breakdown and Analysis
AP POLYCET 2026 section-wise breakdown will help you to work mainly on the most important topics. The section-wise breakdown is as follows:
|
Subject |
Weightage |
Difficulty Level |
Major Topics |
Preparation Tip |
|
Mathematics |
60 Marks |
Moderate to High |
• Real Numbers• Linear Equations and Polynomials• Quadratic Equations• Trigonometry and Progressions• Coordinate Geometry• Probability and Mensuration |
Mathematics covers 50% of the paper. Focus on formulas, problem-solving, and previous year question papers for better accuracy. |
|
Physics |
30 Marks |
Moderate |
• Reflection and Refraction• Light, Mirrors, and Lenses• Electricity and Current• Heat and Thermodynamics• Human Eye and Optical Instruments• Sources of Energy |
Build conceptual clarity and understand practical applications. Pay attention to diagrams and numerical formulas. |
|
Chemistry |
30 Marks |
Easy to Moderate |
• Atomic Structure• Chemical Bonding• Acids, Bases, and Salts• Chemical Reactions and Equations• Water and Solutions• Carbon Compounds |
Revise periodic table trends, chemical reactions, and definitions. Chemistry offers high-scoring, direct questions. |
Marking Scheme of AP Polycet 2026
The AP POLYCET 2026 marking scheme is as follows:
|
Response Type |
Marks Awarded |
|
Correct Answer |
+1 mark |
|
Incorrect Answer |
0 mark |
|
Unanswered Question |
0 mark |
AP Polycet 2026 Duration and Timing
- The AP POLYCET exam 2026 will be conducted for 120 minutes, that is 2 hours.
- The paper will start at the scheduled time, usually 11 AM to 1 PM.
- No extra time will be given to latecomers.
- You must remain seated till the exam concludes; that is, you need to be in the exam centre from 11 AM to 1 PM.
- Make sure you give one minute per question and leave the last 10 minutes for reviewing the questions or the missed questions.
AP Polycet 2026 Qualifying Marks
- To qualify for the AP POLYCET 2026 exam, you need to secure at least 30% marks, that is around 36 out of 120 marks.
- There are no minimum qualifying marks for the SC/ST categories.
- The merit list is prepared based on the total marks obtained by the candidate in the AP POLYCET exam 2026.
- In case of a tie, Mathematics marks are given priority, followed by Physics, and then the candidate's age.
Best Books to Prepare for AP Polycet 2026
The AP POLYCET 2026 best books to prepare are as follows:
|
Subject |
Recommended Books |
|
Mathematics |
SSC Mathematics Textbook (Class 10, Andhra Pradesh Board), RD Sharma Objective Mathematics, Arihant CET Guide |
|
Physics |
SSC Physics Textbook (Class 10, AP Board), Pradeep’s Fundamental Physics |
|
Chemistry |
SSC Chemistry Textbook, Modern ABC Chemistry, NCERT-based Question Bank |
Taking a thorough note of the AP POLYCET 2026 exam pattern will help you make an effective preparation strategy. The AP POLYCET exam pattern 2026 will give you the structure of the paper, the number of questions, the subject, the marking scheme, and the difficulty level of the exam. When you know these things, it becomes easier for you to plan your study schedule and perform confidently in the AP POLYCET 2026 exam. With proper preparation and time management, you can easily ace the AP POLYCET exam and get admission into top polytechnic colleges in Andhra Pradesh.
-
Exam Mode: Offline OMR based. -
Total Questions: 120 MCQs. -
Duration: 2 Hours (120 minutes). -
No negative marking.
