The School Assistant post, written SA, is the subject-teacher post of Andhra Pradesh school education. A School Assistant teaches one subject to the upper classes of a school, normally classes VI to X, and the post is filled through the District Selection Committee (DSC) recruitment, formally the Teacher Recruitment Test (TRT), conducted by the Department of School Education. The post differs from the Secondary Grade Teacher post in level, in qualification and in the paper: a graduate with a B.Ed. in a matching subject, not an Intermediate pass with a diploma, and a paper that goes deep into one subject.
This guide explains the subjects in which School Assistants are recruited, the qualification rules by subject, the pattern of the recruitment test, the way merit is calculated, and a method of preparation. The base document is the Mega DSC-2025 notification of 20 April 2025 and its information bulletin, which is the latest complete official set. As on October 2026, an official DSC 2026 notification has not appeared on the department's portals that we could open. Press reports describe a notification expected around 15 October 2026; treat this as unconfirmed. For the wider calendar, see the Andhra Pradesh government exams 2026 guide.
1. What a School Assistant does
A School Assistant is a subject specialist. The 2025 notification advertised School Assistant posts in Languages and Non-Languages and in Physical Education, in government, Zilla Parishad, Mandal Parishad and municipal schools, municipal corporation schools and tribal welfare ashram schools. In the district-cadre table for government, Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad schools the subjects were: Language-I (Telugu), Hindi, English, Mathematics, Physical Science, Biological Science, Social Studies and Physical Education.
Besides teaching, a School Assistant prepares lessons in the school syllabus, sets and evaluates tests, and often becomes the subject coordinator for the school. The paper reflects this: forty marks of the eighty are content of the concerned subject, and twenty are methodology of that subject.
The recruitment is by district cadre. The bulletin states that a candidate's selection is valid only for the district for which he or she applied, so the district-wise vacancy table matters as much as the state total.
2. Vacancies: what the 2025 notification showed
As on October 2026, the latest official vacancy figures are those of the 2025 notification. In the table for government, Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad schools, the totals across the district rows were 495 for Language-I Telugu, 500 for Hindi, 983 for English, 631 for Mathematics, 569 for Physical Science, 863 for Biological Science, 1,267 for Social Studies and 1,632 for Physical Education. Separate tables listed municipal and corporation schools, tribal welfare ashram schools and other departments. These figures belong to the 2025 recruitment and are shown only to illustrate how vacancies are spread across subjects. A 2026 notification will publish its own table, and press reports of a figure around 2,535 for all categories together are unconfirmed.
Two lessons follow from the 2025 table. English, Social Studies and Biological Science had the largest non-PE vacancy counts, while Hindi and Telugu were smaller. And vacancy varies sharply between districts, so a candidate with a choice of districts should read the table before applying.
3. Eligibility and qualifications by subject
As on October 2026; source: Mega DSC-2025 information bulletin and the department's post-wise qualification list. The 2026 bulletin may revise these rules.
General requirements. The candidate must hold an Intermediate certificate from the Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh, or an equivalent, a degree from a UGC-recognised university, and a teacher education course recognised by NCTE (or RCI for special education). Degrees obtained through open or distance learning must have recognition from the UGC, AICTE or the Distance Education Bureau, and the burden of proof of recognition lies with the candidate.
Degree and B.Ed. For School Assistant the main route is a graduation with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC, ST, BC and persons with benchmark disabilities) in the relevant optional subjects, together with a B.Ed. or B.Ed. (Special Education) in which the concerned subject is a methodology. A four-year integrated B.A. B.Ed. or B.Sc. B.Ed. with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for the reserved categories) and the concerned methodology is also accepted. A postgraduate in the concerned subject with 55 percent marks (50 percent for the reserved categories) and a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. with the concerned methodology is the third route. Candidates who qualified before 2011 have lower thresholds, with 45 percent in graduation (40 percent for the reserved categories).
Subject-wise degree combinations. The bulletin ties each post to the subjects you studied and to your B.Ed. methodology.
- School Assistant (Mathematics): graduation with Mathematics, Applied Mathematics or Statistics as one of the optional subjects, and a B.Ed. with Mathematics as a methodology. A B.C.A. graduate with Mathematics as a group subject at Intermediate and a B.Ed. with Mathematics methodology is also listed.
- School Assistant (Physical Science): graduation with at least two of the listed science subjects such as Physics, Applied Physics, Chemistry and related combinations, and a B.Ed. with Physical Science, Physics, Chemistry or Science as the methodology.
- School Assistant (Biological Science): graduation with Botany and Zoology as optional subjects, or one of the two as main and the other as subsidiary, or any two allied subjects from a long list in the bulletin, and a B.Ed. with the matching methodology.
- School Assistant (Social Studies): graduation with any two of the listed optional subjects (for example History, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Commerce, Sociology and others), and a B.Ed. with Social Studies, Social Sciences, Geography, History, Politics, Political Science or Economics as the methodology.
- School Assistant (English): graduation with English as a main or optional subject, or a postgraduate degree in English, and a B.Ed. with English methodology.
- School Assistant (Languages, including Telugu and Hindi): graduation with the language as an optional subject, an oriental language degree or equivalent, or a postgraduate degree in the language, together with a B.Ed. or Language Pandit Training with that language as methodology. For Hindi the bulletin also lists a table of recognised Hindi qualifications such as Praveena, Visharad and Sahitya Ratna and others.
- School Assistant (Physical Education): graduation plus B.P.Ed.
TET. The bulletin requires TET or CTET for School Assistants, except Physical Education. The relevant AP TET paper is Paper 2A for regular schools. Our AP TET guide covers the paper, the pass marks and the lifetime validity of the certificate.
Age and fee, as notified in 2025. The age limit was 18 to 44 years as on 1 July 2024, 49 for SC, ST, BC and EWS candidates, and 54 for persons with benchmark disabilities. The fee was Rs 750 per post. A 2026 notification will fix its own reference date and fee, so these two numbers should be recomputed from the new bulletin.
Certificates. The notification states that the candidate must hold all certificates on the last date of application and that no exemption is given. If you are in government or aided service, inform your head of office in writing.
4. The pattern of the School Assistant test
As on October 2026; source: Mega DSC-2025 information bulletin, structure of the Teacher Recruitment Test. For School Assistants in Languages and Non-Languages the test is computer based with 160 multiple-choice questions for 80 marks and a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes. The parts are:
Part I, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, 20 questions for 10 marks. Part II, Perspectives in Education, 10 questions for 5 marks. Part III, Classroom Implications of Educational Psychology, 10 questions for 5 marks. Part IV, Content of the concerned subject, 80 questions for 40 marks, and Methodology of the concerned subject, 40 questions for 20 marks.
That makes 40 questions and 20 marks from the common part, and 120 questions and 60 marks from the subject. Half of the whole paper, 40 of 80 marks, is subject content, and a quarter, 20 of 80, is subject methodology. A candidate who treats methodology as a minor topic gives away a quarter of the paper.
The Physical Education posts have a different paper. The bulletin shows a three-hour test of 200 questions for 100 marks for School Assistant (Physical Education), with general knowledge, perspectives in education, physical education pedagogy and a long part on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and related subjects. It also states that no TET is required for the PE posts.
The bulletin states that syllabus topics are suggestive and not exhaustive. The department has published a 2026 syllabus document for School Assistant (Special Education), which describes an 80-mark paper of 160 questions and 150 minutes, so the 80-mark structure continued into the department's 2026 documents. We did not find a published syllabus for the other School Assistant subjects for 2026 on the portal as on October 2026. The bulletin we read does not mention negative marking for the School Assistant paper; confirm in the new notification.
5. How the merit list is made
As on October 2026; source: Mega DSC-2025 information bulletin. The total for School Assistant is 100 marks: 80 from the written test and 20 from the TET or CTET score, which is 20 percent. School Assistant (Physical Education) is ranked on the written test alone, as there is no TET for it. Only TET scores at or above the qualifying marks (90 for OC and EWS, 75 for BC, 60 for SC, ST, persons with benchmark disabilities and ex-servicemen, out of 150) are counted.
Selection is merit-cum-roster. Vertical reservations apply for Scheduled Castes in three groups, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes A to E and Economically Weaker Sections, and horizontal reservations for persons with benchmark disabilities, ex-servicemen, women and meritorious sportspersons. For tests held in several sessions a normalisation formula is used.
Ties are broken in this order: the elder candidate, then a female candidate, then community order, and then the date of passing the professional qualification and the date of graduation for School Assistant posts.
A candidate who applies for several posts must declare a preference order at the time of the application. It cannot be changed, and a candidate selected for a higher preference is removed from the other lists. For example, a candidate eligible for both Physical Science and Mathematics should decide beforehand which post is the real goal.
6. Preparing the content part: 40 marks
Content is the largest block and the one that varies most by subject. The key guide is a simple one: the paper is set at school-teacher level, which means the school curriculum of classes VI to X with the depth a teacher of those classes needs.
Mathematics. Algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, statistics and probability, number systems, sets and coordinate geometry, in the form taught in classes VI to X, plus the graduation-level reasoning behind them. Prepare by solving class IX and X exercises quickly, then practise higher-order problems.
Physical Science. Motion and forces, work and energy, heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism, structure of matter, chemical reactions, acids, bases and salts, periodic classification, carbon compounds and metals. Learn definitions and units from school textbooks, and numerical problems from the board-level pattern.
Biological Science. Cells, tissues, nutrition, respiration, circulation, excretion, reproduction, heredity, classification, ecology, human health and diseases. Diagrams and terms matter, and so do the differences between similar processes.
Social Studies. History, geography, civics and economics. For the state-specific part, expect questions on Andhra Pradesh geography, history and administration. Our Andhra Pradesh geography notes and freedom struggle notes help here.
English. Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, literature (prose, poetry, drama in the school textbooks) and the writers of the prescribed lessons, with some linguistics and the history of English language teaching in the methodology portion.
Telugu and Hindi. Grammar, figures of speech, prosody, literary history, authors and works, and the prescribed texts. For Telugu, our Telugu language and literature guide gives the historical sequence.
7. Methodology: the 20-mark block
Methodology questions test how the concerned subject is taught and assessed. They draw on the B.Ed. method papers: aims and objectives of teaching the subject, Bloom's taxonomy and instructional objectives, teaching methods such as the lecture, demonstration, project, laboratory and inductive and deductive methods, lesson and unit planning, teaching-learning materials, evaluation and error analysis, and the use of technology.
A useful way to study is to learn each method with one classroom example in your subject. For Mathematics, the inductive method is discovering the sum of angles of a triangle by measuring several triangles. For Science, the laboratory method is verifying a law through a guided experiment. For Social Studies, a project could be mapping the local rivers. For language subjects, the structural and communicative approaches are contrasted through an example sentence drill and a role-play. Questions often present a classroom situation and ask which method or principle applies, so examples help you see the principle.
8. The common part: 20 marks
General Knowledge and Current Affairs carries 20 questions, the largest of the common parts. Build a twelve-month Andhra Pradesh and national capsule, covering government schemes, awards, sports, appointments to offices, projects, summits and notable events, and keep a separate page of static facts about the state. Our AP government schemes notes and district fact sheet are useful for the state portion.
Perspectives in Education covers the history of education in India, commissions and policies, constitutional provisions and education laws. Classroom Implications of Educational Psychology covers learning theories, development, motivation, intelligence, individual differences, inclusive education and assessment. These two parts, with twenty questions and ten marks in all, are common to all posts and can be learned in about two weeks. The psychology and pedagogy guide works through them.
9. A sixteen-week plan
Weeks 1 and 2: confirm eligibility and the subject post code, collect the syllabus and textbooks of classes VI to X, and make a unit checklist. Weeks 3 to 6: first round of subject content, one unit a day, with weekly unit tests; psychology and perspectives for thirty minutes daily. Weeks 7 to 9: second round on weak units, and a first full round of methodology. Weeks 10 and 11: general knowledge capsule and revision of the common part. Weeks 12 to 15: full-length mocks twice a week in the 160-question, 150-minute format, with an error log. Week 16: one-page revision sheets and rest.
If you also need to qualify TET Paper 2A, finish it first. TET is valid for life, and a score of 90 or above in the general category gives a valuable base for the 20 percent portion of the merit.
10. Time management and mistakes
A 160-question paper in 150 minutes gives a little over fifty seconds a question. Content questions are quick; methodology and psychology scenario questions need a little longer. A workable order is to start with the subject content, move to the common part, and then finish methodology, keeping ten to fifteen minutes to return to marked questions.
Mistakes to avoid: choosing the wrong post code because a degree subject is close but not listed; assuming that any B.Ed. method will do, when the bulletin ties the post to the methodology subject; neglecting methodology; leaving the preference order to chance; forgetting that Physical Education has its own paper and no TET; relying on old patterns of 200 questions; and trusting unofficial notification dates.
Key facts for exams
| Item | Fact (as on October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Post level | School Assistant, classes VI to X, one subject |
| Qualification | Degree 50% (45% SC/ST/BC/PwBD) + B.Ed. with the concerned methodology |
| TET paper | Paper 2A or CTET (not for SA Physical Education) |
| Pattern (Mega DSC-2025) | 160 MCQs, 80 marks, 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Content / Methodology | 80 MCQs, 40 marks / 40 MCQs, 20 marks |
| Common part | GK 20 MCQs, Perspectives 10, Psychology 10 |
| Merit | 80 written + 20 TET = 100 |
| 2026 notification | Not yet officially issued; reports mention about 15 October 2026 |
10 practice questions
1. How many marks does the subject content part carry in the School Assistant paper? (a) 20 (b) 30 (c) 40 (d) 60
2. The duration of the School Assistant written test in the Mega DSC-2025 bulletin is: (a) 2 hours (b) 2 hours 30 minutes (c) 3 hours (d) 3 hours 30 minutes
3. Which TET paper applies to a School Assistant in a regular school? (a) Paper 1A (b) Paper 1B (c) Paper 2A (d) Paper 2B
4. School Assistant (Physical Education) requires: (a) TET Paper 2A (b) CTET (c) No TET (d) Both TET papers
5. The minimum graduation marks for an OC candidate under the standard route are: (a) 40% (b) 45% (c) 50% (d) 55%
6. The postgraduate route requires a minimum of how much in the postgraduate degree, for OC candidates, together with an integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.? (a) 45% (b) 50% (c) 55% (d) 60%
7. The share of TET in the final merit of a School Assistant is: (a) 10% (b) 20% (c) 30% (d) 40%
8. In the School Assistant paper, the number of methodology questions is: (a) 10 (b) 20 (c) 40 (d) 80
9. A candidate who has applied for several posts and is selected for a higher preference: (a) may choose any post (b) is removed from other lists (c) may change preference later (d) is placed in a waiting list
10. For School Assistant (Social Studies), the graduation must include: (a) any one optional subject (b) any two of the listed optional subjects (c) only History (d) only Geography
Answers
- (c) 80 content questions for 40 marks.
- (b) 2 hours 30 minutes for the regular School Assistant paper.
- (c) Paper 2A covers classes VI to VIII in regular schools.
- (c) The bulletin says no TET is required for School Assistant (Physical Education).
- (c) Graduation with at least 50 percent, and 45 percent for reserved categories.
- (c) 55 percent, and 50 percent for the reserved categories.
- (b) 20 of 100 marks.
- (c) 40 questions for 20 marks.
- (b) The candidate is removed from the other selection lists.
- (b) Any two of the listed optional subjects.
Frequently asked questions
Can a degree holder without B.Ed. apply? No. The B.Ed. with the concerned methodology (or an integrated degree or B.Ed.-M.Ed. route) is part of the listed qualifications.
Is TET compulsory for School Assistant? Yes, TET or CTET, except for School Assistant (Physical Education).
Can I apply for School Assistant and SGT? If you hold both qualifications, you may apply for more than one post, with a preference order. See the SGT guide.
What if my degree subject is close to the listed one? The bulletin lists exact combinations. Compare your marks memo against the list; an unlisted combination is not accepted.
Is there negative marking? The 2025 bulletin we read does not mention it for this paper. Check the new notification.
Which classes does a School Assistant teach? Normally classes VI to X; the TET Paper 2A covers classes VI to VIII.
When will the 2026 notification be out? Not officially announced as on October 2026; check cse.ap.gov.in and the TET to DSC portal.
Related reading
- AP TET guide
- AP DSC SGT guide
- Psychology and pedagogy for DSC
- Andhra Pradesh government exams 2026
- AP Government schemes notes
Practise on pareeksha.in
Timed practice shows which subject unit and which common part needs more time. You can practise on pareeksha.in, which offers 10 Lakh+ MCQs, 100+ Exams and 5,000+ Full-Length Mocks, beginning with the free mini-mock.
Sources and verification
Opened and read for this post:
- Department of School Education, Andhra Pradesh: Mega DSC-2025 Notification dated 20 April 2025 (tet2dsc.apcfss.in), including the district-wise vacancy tables.
- Mega DSC-2025 Information Bulletin (qualifications, pattern, selection), read from a mirror copy because the official host copy could not be opened.
- Mega DSC-2025 post-wise qualifications list (tet2dsc.apcfss.in).
- DSC 2026 syllabus for School Assistant (Special Education), tet2dsc.apcfss.in.
- APTET June 2026 Notification and Information Bulletin (tet2dsc.apcfss.in).
- Deccan Chronicle report of 22 September 2026 on the expected DSC 2026 notification.
Not verified: an official DSC 2026 notification, vacancies, schedule and 2026 age limit and fee (2025 figures are labelled as 2025); negative marking; 2026 syllabus for the regular School Assistant subjects.
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