AP ECET Exam 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Application Form, Exam Pattern, Admit Card, Syllabus, Result, Counselling

Latest Updates

1. AP ECET 2026 Application Date Starts - 2nd Week of March 2026
2. AP ECET 2026 Application Date Ends - 2nd Week of April 2026
3. AP ECET 2026 Exam Date - 1st Week of May 2026

Andhra Pradesh Engineering Common Entrance Test (AP ECET) is a state-level entrance examination conducted for lateral entry admission into the second year of BE, BTech, and BPharm programs in Andhra Pradesh. The exam is organized by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). The AP ECET 2026 exam is expected to be scheduled in the first week of May 2026.

To be eligible, candidates must hold a diploma in engineering, technology, or pharmacy fields or a BSc Mathematics degree with a minimum of 45% marks. The AP ECET 2026 application process is expected to begin in the second week of March 2026. The exam will be conducted in online (CBT) mode and typically consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, and each correct answer carries 1 mark. There is no negative marking.

In 2024, over 35,000 candidates appeared for the exam. Top engineering colleges across Andhra Pradesh accept AP ECET scores for lateral entry admissions. Some of them are Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Andhra University College of Engineering, and GMR Institute of Technology.

What is AP ECET?

AP ECET (Andhra Pradesh Engineering Common Entrance Test) is an entrance exam conducted for:

• Diploma holders in engineering, technology, and pharmacy who want direct admission into the second year of BE, BTech, or BPharm programs.
• BSc (Mathematics) graduates who wish to enter engineering courses through lateral entry.

AP ECET 2026: Quick Highlights

Candidates must know the following key details of the AP ECET 2026 exam before applying for it.

AP ECET 2026 Application Process

The AP ECET application process 2026 will begin in the 2nd week of March 2026. It is completely online, including registration, form filling, document upload, and fee payment.

Here are the quick steps to fill out the AP ECET 2026 application form.

• Visit the official site: cets.apsche.ap.gov.in
• Click on 'Apply for AP ECET 2026.'
• Register and get the application ID.
• Fill out the form with required details.
• Upload photo, signature & documents.
• Pay the fee via online mode.
• Submit and download confirmation.

AP ECET 2026: Application Fees

The AP ECET application fee is set by APSCHE. Candidates should always verify the latest fee on the official website before applying.

The expected category-wise application fees for 2026 are:

• OC: ₹600
• BC: ₹550
• SC/ST: ₹500

Mode of Payment for Application Fees

Candidates can pay the AP ECET application fees 2026 through the following payment methods:

• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Net Banking

AP ECET Admit Card 2026

The AP ECET admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the exam. Without it, candidates will not be allowed inside the exam hall. The admit card will be released a few days before the exam in the first week of May 2026. 

Candidates can download the AP ECET 2026 admit card by following these steps:

• Visit the official website at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in.
• Click on ‘Download AP ECET 2026 Admit Card’.
• Log in with registration number and date of birth.
• View and verify all details (name, photo, exam center, etc.).
• Download and print the admit card.

The AP ECET 2026 syllabus covers a wide range of topics across various engineering and pharmacy disciplines. The syllabus differs for diploma holders in engineering or pharmacy and BSc graduates. Below is the compiled table of subject-wise important topics.

Subject-Wise Marking Scheme for AP ECET 2026

Here is the subject-wise marking scheme for AP ECET 2026 exam.

AP ECET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The table below highlights the admission requirements for AP ECET 2026 exam. Candidates preparing for the exam must meet the following eligibility criteria for successful admission.

Documents Required for AP ECET

Candidates must submit the following documents during the AP ECET admission and counselling process.

• Class 10th Marksheet
• Diploma/Degree Marksheet and Certificate
• Academic Study Certificates (for local status)
• Transfer Certificate
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• ID Proofs
• Passport-sized Photographs
• AP ECET 2026 Hall Ticket (for counselling)
• AP ECET 2026 Scorecard (for counselling)

AP ECET 2026: Exam Pattern

The AP ECET is a computer-based test conducted for lateral entry into engineering and pharmacy courses in the state. The subject-wise exam pattern varies depending on the candidate’s qualification (Diploma or BSc Mathematics).

Here is a quick look at the AP ECET 2026 exam pattern.

Preparation Tips for AP ECET 2026

Candidates preparing for Andhra Pradesh Engineering Common Entrance Test 2026 must follow these preparation tips.

• Create a practical study timetable and follow it consistently.
• Prepare short revision notes and revise them weekly.
• Attempt mock tests and analyze results.
• Practice AP ECET model papers to build speed and accuracy.
• Focus on the important topics in the syllabus.
• Solve previous years question papers to understand the common AP ECET exam patterns.

AP ECET Previous Year’s Question Papers with Answer Keys

To practice previous years’ papers is one of the best ways to prepare for the AP ECET 2026 examination. It does not only provide the number of questions asked in the exam but also helps candidates understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and subject-wise important topics.

Some of the AP ECET question papers are listed below:

• AP ECET 2024 Pharmacy Paper
• AP ECET 2024 BSc Mathematics Paper
• AP ECET 2024 Agricultural Engineering Paper
• AP ECET 2024 Biotechnology Paper
• AP ECET 2024 Ceramic Technology Paper

Things to Avoid During AP ECET 2026 Exam

Candidates should keep a few things in mind during the exam. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Don’t forget your hall ticket and valid ID proof.
• Avoid bringing restricted items like mobile phones, notes, or smartwatches.
• Do not ignore the invigilator's instructions.
• Make sure to mark your attendance in the examination hall.
• Do not panic or rush through the questions.
• Avoid spending too much time on a single question.
• Avoid last-minute reading or cramming at the exam center.

AP ECET 2026 Result

The AP ECET result 2026 will be announced by APSCHE after the exam in the last week of May 2026 (tentative). Candidates must use their registration number, hall ticket number, and date of birth to access the result from the official website.

The AP ECET 2026 result scorecard will include the following details:

• Candidate’s Name
• Hall Ticket Number
• Subject-wise Marks
• Total Marks
• Qualifying Status
• Rank Secured

Steps to Check AP ECET 2026 Result

To check the result, candidates must follow these steps:

• Go to the official website: cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/ECET
• Click on the ‘Result’ link on the homepage
• Enter the Registration Number, Hall Ticket Number, and Date of Birth.
• Click on 'Submit' to view the result.
• Download and print the scorecard for future use.

AP ECET 2026 Answer Key

The provisional answer key is released by the conduction authority on the official website before the actual declaration of the final result. The AP ECET answer key 2026 will be tentatively released in the 2nd week of May 2026.

Candidates must check the answer key to get an idea on the marks they will obtain and to raise objections if they found any error.

AP ECET 2026 Counselling

The AP ECET 2026 counselling process will be conducted online, tentatively starting from the first week of June 2026. Only qualified candidates will be allowed to participate in the counselling to secure admission into engineering and pharmacy courses.

Below is a detailed step-by-step counselling process for AP ECET 2026.

• Step 1: Candidates need to register online using their hall ticket number and rank.
• Step 2: Pay the counselling processing fee online.
• Step 3: Visit the assigned help centers for document verification.
• Step 4: Candidates need to fill in their college and course preferences online.
• Step 5: Seats will be allotted based on rank, category, and choices filled.
• Step 6: Candidates need to download the AP ECET 2026 seat allotment letter from the official portal.
• Step 7: Report to the allotted college with original documents and admission fee.

Top Colleges Participating in the AP ECET Counselling 2026

Here are some of the top engineering colleges in Andhra Pradesh that will accept AP ECET 2026 scores.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (All Campuses)
• Andhra University College of Engineering
• Adikavi Nannaya University
• GMR Institute of Technology
• Acharya Nagarjuna University College of Engineering
• Aditya Institute of Technology and Management
• Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering
• Sri Venkateswara University College of Engineering
• Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology
• Anil Neerukonda Institute of Technology and Sciences

Candidates must stay updated with the important AP ECET exam dates to avoid missing any deadlines during the application process. The AP ECET 2026 will be conducted in the first week of May 2026. Here is the tentative timeline.

Note: Always check the official website for the latest information.

There is no official data for the AP ECET cutoff. However, to qualify for AP ECET 2026, general category candidates must meet the minimum marks requirement of 50 out of 200. There are no minimum qualifying marks for SC/ST and other reserved category students.

Frequently Asked Questions for AP ECET 2026

Ques. When will the AP ECET 2026 exam be conducted?

Ans. The AP ECET 2026 exam date is expected to be in the first week of May 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for updates.

Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for AP ECET 2026?

Ans. Candidates must have a 3-year diploma in Engineering/Technology/Pharmacy or a BSc (Mathematics) degree with at least 45% marks (40% for reserved categories). They must also be residents of Andhra Pradesh or Telangana.

Ques. Is there any negative marking in AP ECET 2026?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking in AP ECET 2026. Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and wrong answers do not result in any penalty.

Ques. How is the AP ECET 2026 counselling process conducted?

Ans. AP ECET counselling is conducted online and includes registration, fee payment, document verification, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting to the allotted college. It is expected to begin in the first week of June 2026.