Exam prep·India· 9 min read

AP LAWCET & TS LAWCET Exam Guide

A clear guide to the Telugu-states law entrance tests — AP LAWCET (APSCHE) and TG/TS LAWCET (TGCHE) — for 3-year and 5-year LLB, plus the LLM PGLCET route. Verify specifics on the official portals.

Last updated 1 July 2026

Key facts

Exams: AP LAWCET (Andhra Pradesh) & TG/TS LAWCET (Telangana) — state law CETs
AP conducting body: SPMVV, Tirupati, on behalf of APSCHE
Telangana conducting body: Osmania University, Hyderabad, on behalf of TGCHE
Programmes: 3-year LLB (after graduation) & 5-year integrated LLB (after Class 12)
Mode: Objective, computer-based test
LLM route: Separate AP PGLCET / TG PGLCET
Admission: State-council centralised counselling per stream
Official portals: cets.apsche.ap.gov.in (AP) · lawcet.tgche.ac.in (Telangana)
Dates, fees, pattern & cut-offs: Change every year — verify on the official portal

What AP LAWCET and TS LAWCET are

AP LAWCET and TS/TG LAWCET are the state-level common entrance tests for law admission in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively. They are the standard route into LLB programmes at the two states' law colleges — a parallel to national tests like CLAT and AILET, but run by the state higher-education councils for their own colleges.

AP LAWCET (Andhra Pradesh Law Common Entrance Test) is conducted by Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), Tirupati, on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). TG LAWCET (the Telangana State Law Common Entrance Test, still widely called TS LAWCET) is conducted by Osmania University, Hyderabad, on behalf of the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE).

Both tests cover admission to the 3-year LLB and the 5-year integrated LLB, and each state also runs a separate PGLCET for LLM. Because the two are clubbed here for convenience, always follow the official portal for the state you are applying in.

3-year vs 5-year LLB — which one you take

Both LAWCETs admit to two different LLB pathways, and your eligibility decides which one applies to you. The 5-year integrated LLB is entered after Class 12 — it is the school-leaver route (for example BA LLB / BBA LLB style integrated degrees). The 3-year LLB is entered after graduation — it is for candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree.

You apply for the stream that matches your qualification; some candidates are eligible for one but not the other. The counselling and college lists are handled per stream, so a 5-year aspirant and a 3-year aspirant follow different seat pools even though they sit the same LAWCET.

Minimum-marks requirements differ by category and are set by each council. Read the eligibility clause for your stream (3-year or 5-year) on the official portal — cets.apsche.ap.gov.in for AP, lawcet.tgche.ac.in for Telangana — before applying.

Eligibility essentials

For the 5-year integrated LLB, the core requirement is passing Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board. For the 3-year LLB, you need a bachelor's degree (any stream) in the standard 10+2+3 pattern. Each council prescribes minimum qualifying percentages that vary by category, with relaxations for reserved categories.

Final-year candidates (those awaiting their qualifying results) are typically allowed to apply provisionally, subject to meeting the requirement by the stated date. Domicile/local-area rules can affect seat categories in state counselling, so check how they apply to you.

Because exact minimum-marks and provisional-eligibility rules are set per state and can change, do not rely on generic figures. Confirm the current eligibility for your stream on the official AP or Telangana LAWCET portal.

Exam pattern and syllabus

Both LAWCETs are objective, computer-based tests aimed at legal aptitude rather than prior legal knowledge. The papers broadly assess general knowledge and mental ability, current affairs, and aptitude for the study of law — the same skill areas whether you sit the 3-year or 5-year paper.

The question count, total marks, duration, medium (typically English and Telugu) and any marking rules are fixed by each council in its official notification. Because AP and Telangana can set these independently, use each state's notification for the precise structure rather than assuming they are identical.

Preparation is best built around the official syllabus for your state and stream, with steady practice on legal-aptitude reasoning, GK and current affairs. This guide does not state exact question numbers or marks — verify the current pattern on cets.apsche.ap.gov.in or lawcet.tgche.ac.in, and remember no coaching can promise a rank.

Counselling and seat allotment

A LAWCET rank does not by itself give you a seat — admission is finalised through each state council's centralised web-based counselling. After results, qualified candidates register for counselling, complete certificate verification, exercise college/course preferences, and receive seat allotment based on rank, category, reservation and preferences.

The AP and Telangana processes are separate and have their own schedules, fee steps and reporting rules, even though the exams look similar. Reserved-category, special-category and local/non-local seat rules can materially affect your allotment, so read those carefully.

Missing a counselling or reporting window is a common way to lose an allotted seat. Track the live counselling notices and dates for your state on the official portal and act within each window.

LLM (PGLCET) — the postgraduate route

If your goal is a master's in law (LLM), that is a different test in both states — AP PGLCET in Andhra Pradesh and TG PGLCET in Telangana — conducted alongside the respective LAWCET by the same convening universities. These are for graduates who already hold an LLB and want to pursue postgraduate legal study.

Eligibility, syllabus and counselling for PGLCET are separate from the LLB LAWCET, so do not mix the two when preparing. The councils publish PGLCET notifications on the same official portals.

If you are an undergraduate LLB aspirant, ignore PGLCET for now; if you are an LLB graduate, confirm the current PGLCET eligibility and process on cets.apsche.ap.gov.in or lawcet.tgche.ac.in.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between AP LAWCET and TS/TG LAWCET?

They are the state law entrance tests for two different states. AP LAWCET is for Andhra Pradesh (conducted by SPMVV, Tirupati, for APSCHE) and TG LAWCET — still often called TS LAWCET — is for Telangana (conducted by Osmania University for TGCHE). Both admit to 3-year and 5-year LLB in their own state's colleges. Apply in the state where you want to study and follow that state's portal.

Should I take the 3-year or 5-year LLB test?

Take the 5-year integrated LLB route if you are applying after Class 12, and the 3-year LLB route if you already hold a bachelor's degree. You apply for the stream your qualification makes you eligible for. Confirm the eligibility clause for your stream on the official portal.

What subjects does the LAWCET exam cover?

Both tests are legal-aptitude oriented and broadly assess general knowledge and mental ability, current affairs, and aptitude for the study of law — no prior legal knowledge is assumed. The exact question count, marks and duration are set by each council; verify the current pattern on cets.apsche.ap.gov.in or lawcet.tgche.ac.in.

Is there an age limit for AP/TS LAWCET?

Age and provisional-eligibility rules are set by each state council and can change from year to year, so this guide does not state a fixed limit. Check the current notification for your state and stream on the official portal before applying.

How are seats allotted after the exam?

Through each state council's centralised counselling: you register, complete certificate verification, choose colleges/courses in order of preference, and get a seat based on rank, category and reservation. AP and Telangana run separate schedules. Track the live counselling dates on the official portal and report within each window.

How do I apply for an LLM through these exams?

LLM admission uses a separate test — AP PGLCET or TG PGLCET — conducted alongside the LAWCET by the same universities, for candidates who already hold an LLB. Its eligibility and counselling are separate from the LLB LAWCET. Confirm the current PGLCET process on cets.apsche.ap.gov.in or lawcet.tgche.ac.in.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: AP LAWCET — Official (APSCHE); TG LAWCET & TG PGLCET — Official (TGCHE).

Last verified: 1 July 2026.