AP ICET 2026 Phase-1 closing ranks are expected to rise 6–8% over 2025, with Andhra University MBA OC category predicted to close at approximately rank 360 in Phase-1.
AP ICET (Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test) is the state-level entrance test conducted by Andhra University on behalf of APSCHE for MBA and MCA admissions across AP universities and affiliated colleges. The paper carries 200 marks (75 Analytical Ability + 75 Mathematical Ability + 50 Communication Ability). Comparing how Phase-1 closing ranks shifted from 2024 to 2025 gives you a data-backed baseline to plan your college preferences before AP ICET 2026 counselling opens in mid-2026.
- AP ICET 2026 results are expected by June 2026; Phase-1 web option exercise is anticipated from late July 2026.
- In 2025, AU College of Arts and Commerce, Visakhapatnam (MBA) closed at OC rank 335 in Phase-1 — up from rank 312 in 2024.
- Across all listed government colleges, OC Phase-1 closing ranks rose by 6–7.5% from 2024 to 2025.
- Students in the OC top 360 ranks have the strongest chance of securing Andhra University MBA in Phase-1; a rank below 940 is competitive for JNTU Anantapur MBA.
- The minimum qualifying score for OC/EWS students is 50 out of 200; BC, SC, and ST students have no qualifying score threshold.
| AP ICET 2026 Official Counselling Portal — cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/ICET/ |
What is AP ICET Cutoff and How is it Set?
The AP ICET cutoff is the closing rank — the rank of the last student who received a seat in a specific college, program, and category during a counselling phase. It is not a minimum score. If your rank is numerically equal to or lower than the closing rank for your chosen college and category, you qualify for that seat in that round.
AP ICET counselling runs in two to three phases. Phase-1 is the most competitive because it draws the highest-ranked students. Phase-2 and any special phase that follows show relaxed closing ranks as vacated seats and unfilled reserved seats re-enter the pool. The qualifying score for OC and EWS students is 50 marks out of 200; BC, SC, and ST students have no minimum qualifying score — they are ranked and eligible for counselling regardless of their raw score.
AP ICET 2024 Phase-1 Closing Ranks
The table below shows AP ICET 2024 Phase-1 closing ranks for MBA programs at leading government and university colleges across OC, BC, SC, and ST categories. These represent the last rank at which a seat was allotted in Round 1 of the 2024 counselling cycle.
| College (MBA) | OC | BC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU College of Arts and Commerce, Visakhapatnam | 312 | 1,240 | 8,450 | 16,820 |
| SV University College of Commerce, Tirupati | 490 | 1,820 | 11,200 | 21,640 |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University College, Guntur | 645 | 2,380 | 13,840 | 27,300 |
| JNTU Anantapur, School of Management | 820 | 3,140 | 17,650 | 34,200 |
| Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry | 1,050 | 3,980 | 21,340 | 42,600 |
AP ICET 2025 Phase-1 Closing Ranks
AP ICET 2025, held on May 7, 2025, saw a 6–8% rise in Phase-1 OC closing ranks at government colleges compared to 2024. This reflects a broader qualified applicant base and a marginally tighter score distribution that cycle.
| College (MBA) | OC | BC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU College of Arts and Commerce, Visakhapatnam | 335 | 1,320 | 8,920 | 17,800 |
| SV University College of Commerce, Tirupati | 520 | 1,940 | 11,870 | 22,940 |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University College, Guntur | 690 | 2,530 | 14,680 | 28,960 |
| JNTU Anantapur, School of Management | 875 | 3,320 | 18,720 | 36,240 |
| Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry | 1,120 | 4,240 | 22,600 | 45,100 |
AP ICET 2024 vs 2025 Phase-1 Trend Comparison
Comparing both cycles reveals a consistent tightening of Phase-1 OC closing ranks at every government MBA college in Andhra Pradesh. The table below isolates OC movement to show the year-on-year shift clearly.
| College | OC Rank 2024 | OC Rank 2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU College of Arts and Commerce | 312 | 335 | +7.4% |
| SV University College of Commerce | 490 | 520 | +6.1% |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University College | 645 | 690 | +7.0% |
| JNTU Anantapur School of Management | 820 | 875 | +6.7% |
| Adikavi Nannaya University | 1,050 | 1,120 | +6.7% |
Key observations from the 2024–2025 comparison:
- OC closing ranks tightened by 6–7.5% across all five colleges — a consistent annual pattern pointing to growing top-percentile competition.
- BC, SC, and ST closing ranks rose by 5–6% on average — a slightly slower pace than OC, reflecting proportional growth in those applicant pools.
- The gap between OC and SC/ST closing ranks remains wide; SC ranks are typically 25–30 times higher numerically than OC ranks at the same college, reflecting the separate quota seat model.
- Phase-2 closing ranks in both years were 10–15% more relaxed than Phase-1, confirming that students who narrowly miss Phase-1 cutoffs still have strong Phase-2 options at the same institutions.
AP ICET 2026 Expected Phase-1 Closing Ranks
Applying the observed 6–8% annual upward trend to 2025 figures gives the following expected AP ICET 2026 Phase-1 closing ranks. All values are predictions based on 2024–2025 trend data; official ranks will be published on the APSCHE portal after Phase-1 seat allotment.
| College (MBA) | OC (Expected) | BC (Expected) | SC (Expected) | ST (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU College of Arts and Commerce, Visakhapatnam | ~360 | ~1,410 | ~9,500 | ~18,900 |
| SV University College of Commerce, Tirupati | ~560 | ~2,070 | ~12,620 | ~24,350 |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University College, Guntur | ~740 | ~2,700 | ~15,600 | ~30,700 |
| JNTU Anantapur, School of Management | ~935 | ~3,540 | ~19,900 | ~38,450 |
| Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry | ~1,200 | ~4,520 | ~24,000 | ~47,900 |
To help you read where your score places you, the approximate marks-to-rank mapping for AP ICET 2026 based on past cycles is:
| Marks Range (out of 200) | Expected Rank Range | Likely College Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 160–200 | 1–15 | AU, SVU — OC guaranteed |
| 140–159 | 16–120 | AU, SVU — strong OC prospect |
| 120–139 | 121–450 | AU borderline, SVU, ANU Phase-1 |
| 100–119 | 451–1,100 | ANU, JNTU Anantapur, Adikavi Nannaya |
| 80–99 | 1,101–5,500 | Government-aided private colleges |
| Below 80 | 5,500+ | Unaided private colleges |
Factors Affecting AP ICET 2026 Cutoff Ranks
Several variables determine where Phase-1 closing ranks land each cycle. Understanding them helps you interpret rank shifts without assuming you performed worse than previous-year students.
- Total qualified students: A larger pool of students crossing the qualifying threshold compresses rank spacing and pushes closing ranks to higher numerical values at every college tier.
- Paper difficulty: A harder exam reduces average scores. Rank distributions shift, and mid-tier colleges may see closing ranks ease slightly while top colleges remain stable due to consistent top-scorers.
- Seat matrix changes: APSCHE may approve new MBA batches, expand intake at existing colleges, or add newly affiliated institutions. Additional seats directly absorb demand and relax closing ranks.
- Category reservation: AP follows reservations for OC, BC-A, BC-B, BC-C, BC-D, BC-E, SC, ST, and EWS. Unfilled reserved seats from Phase-1 may be converted to the general pool in Phase-2.
- Upgrade behaviour in Phase-1: Students who accept Phase-1 allotments but exercise Phase-2 upgrades vacate their earlier seat. This retroactively alters the effective Phase-1 closing rank in published data.
- College reputation and location: AU Visakhapatnam and SVU Tirupati consistently attract the highest-ranked students, keeping their closing ranks the tightest year over year regardless of overall trend direction.
AP ICET 2026 Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected OC closing rank for Andhra University MBA in AP ICET 2026 Phase-1?
Ans. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, the expected OC closing rank for AU College of Arts and Commerce MBA in AP ICET 2026 Phase-1 is approximately 360. This is a prediction based on a 6–8% annual upward trend; official ranks will be published by APSCHE after Phase-1 seat allotment.
Ques. What is the AP ICET qualifying cutoff score for OC students?
Ans. OC and EWS students must score a minimum of 50 marks out of 200 (25%) to qualify for AP ICET counselling. BC, SC, and ST students have no minimum qualifying score — they are ranked and eligible for counselling regardless of their raw score.
Ques. By how much did AP ICET Phase-1 closing ranks change from 2024 to 2025?
Ans. OC category Phase-1 closing ranks at major government colleges rose by approximately 6–7.5% from 2024 to 2025. BC, SC, and ST category closing ranks rose by 5–6% over the same period, a slightly slower rate due to proportional growth in those applicant pools.
Ques. What is the total marks for AP ICET?
Ans. AP ICET is a 200-mark paper — 75 marks for Analytical Ability, 75 marks for Mathematical Ability, and 50 marks for Communication Ability. Each correct answer carries 1 mark and there is no negative marking.
Ques. Can students who miss Phase-1 cutoffs still get a seat in top AP ICET colleges?
Ans. Yes. Phase-2 closing ranks are typically 10–15% more relaxed than Phase-1, as vacated and unfilled seats re-enter the pool. Students who narrowly miss Phase-1 cutoffs at AU or SVU have consistently secured seats in the same institutions during Phase-2 in previous cycles.
Ques. When is AP ICET 2026 Phase-1 counselling expected to begin?
Ans. AP ICET 2026 Phase-1 counselling is expected to begin in late July 2026, following the result declaration anticipated around June 2026. Track the official portal at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/ICET/ for confirmed dates and web option schedules.
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