AP DSC Special Education Syllabus 2026 PDF (SA & SGT) & Exam Pattern

AP DSC Special Education Exam Pattern 2026

The AP DSC written examination for Special Education is highly specialized. While both the School Assistant (SA) and Secondary Grade Teacher (SGT) exams test similar core areas, the difficulty level is strictly based on their respective qualifications (B.Ed Special Education for SA, and D.Ed Special Education for SGT). Both exams generally consist of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) to be completed in 2 Hours and 30 Minutes.

Note: Each correct answer carries 0.5 (half) mark. Candidates must prepare comprehensively as the Subject Content (Part-V) carries exactly 50% of the total exam weightage.

1. Syllabus for School Assistant (SA) - Special Education

The School Assistant role targets teaching upper primary and high school students. The syllabus is advanced and heavily focuses on the B.Ed Special Education curriculum as prescribed by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

• Part I: General Knowledge and Current Affairs (10 Marks): Awareness of recent national/international events and AP state-specific geography and history.
• Part II: Perspectives in Special Education & Inclusive Education (10 Marks): Historical models of disability, the UNCRPD, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 frameworks, and the principles of inclusive classroom design.
• Part III: Psychology with reference to CWSN (10 Marks): Advanced child development theories, socio-cultural factors affecting learning, and psychological processes (attention, perception) specific to Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
• Part IV: Methodology in Special Education (10 Marks): Curriculum adaptation, IEP execution, use of Assistive Technologies, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Category of Disability Specialisation / Subject Content (40 Marks): The core technical section. In-depth assessment, early identification, screening, and management of ID, HI, VI, SLD, ASD, and CP.

2. Syllabus for Secondary Grade Teachers (SGT) - Special Education

The SGT role focuses on foundational and primary education (Classes I to V). The exam tests the candidate's mastery of the D.Ed Special Education syllabus, ensuring they can handle early identification and foundational literacy for CWSN.

• Part I: General Knowledge and Current Affairs: Standard GK and current events.
• Part II: Perspectives in Education (10 Marks): Basic principles of inclusive education, early intervention models, and foundational RTE acts.
• Part III: Psychology with reference to CWSN (10 Marks): Foundational child psychology, early childhood development milestones, and behavioral management in young children.
• Part IV: Methodology in Special Education (10 Marks): Curriculum adaptation, IEP execution, use of Assistive Technologies, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Category of Disability Specialisation / Subject Content (40 Marks): The core technical section. In-depth assessment, early identification, screening, and management of ID, HI, VI, SLD, ASD, and CP.

Core Differences Between SA and SGT Syllabus

While both syllabi contain the same 5 parts (GK, Perspectives, Psychology, Disability Specialization, and Methodology), candidates must prepare using different academic standards:

• School Assistant (SA): Questions are set at the Graduation / B.Ed Special Education difficulty level. There is a heavier emphasis on advanced assessment tools (like PRASHAST), cross-disability approaches, and transition planning.
• Secondary Grade Teacher (SGT): Questions are set at the Intermediate / D.Ed Special Education difficulty level. The focus is strictly on early childhood intervention, foundational literacy, and primary classroom accommodations.