The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) released Notification No. 06/2025, which calls for recruitment of Forest Beat Officers (FBO) and Assistant Beat Officers (ABO) under the Andhra Pradesh Forest Subordinate Service. Total vacancies are 691 — with 256 posts for FBO and 435 for ABO
Important Dates (Application, Exam Date)
Online application period: 16 July – 5 August 2025
Exam date for Screening Test (Objective Type): 7 September 2025
Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Screening Process
Basic eligibility: Intermediate (12th) or equivalent
Physical requirements for FBO/ABO (height, chest, walking test) as prescribed.
The exam is a screening test (objective type), followed by further stages.
Exam Conducted On — Key Details
Exam Date & Mode
The Exam was held on 7 September 2025.
Mode: Offline — Objective (OMR-based).
Number of Questions, Marks, Sets
Total questions: 150 (various sets: A, B, C, D) each carrying 1 mark.
Time duration and other specifics vary; candidates should refer to their question set.
Answer Key Released — What You Should Know
Date of Provisional Answer Key Release
The provisional / preliminary answer key was released on 10 September 2025.
Applicants can submit objections from 10 September onward.
Types of Answer Key (Official / Unofficial / Screening Test Key)
Official (provisional) answer key by APPSC
Unofficial / expert analysis keys published by educational portals.
How to Download the APPSC FBO & ABO Answer Key 2025
Official Source / Website Link
The official answer key is available on the APPSC website: psc.ap.gov.in.
Steps to Access the PDF (Set-wise)
Visit psc.ap.gov.in – the official APPSC portal.
On the homepage look for “Answer Key / Keys & Objections / FBO & ABO Screening Test Preliminary Key 2025.”
Select your question set (A / B / C / D) and download the PDF.
Save/print for your reference.
Objection Window — Raise Queries & Discrepancies
Start & End Date for Objections
Objection window opened on 10 September 2025.
It is likely to close by around 12 or 14 September 2025, depending on category/post.
How to Submit Objections (Documents, Fee, Process)
Through official APPSC website under the “Objection / Raise Challenge” link.
Candidates need to specify question number, answer they believe is correct, and supporting evidence or reference.
Some objections may require a fee (check the website for if applicable).
Ensure details like category, set number etc. are correct.
Why the Answer Key Matters
Estimating Your Score
Using the answer key, candidates can match their marked responses and estimate their raw score even before results are released.
Predicting Cutoffs & Merit
By seeing how many questions are correct/incorrect and observing the difficulty level, aspirants can estimate likely cutoff for their category.
Planning for Next Stage (Main / Physical / Document Verification)
Knowing the likely score/position helps in preparing for subsequent rounds — Main exam (if applicable), physical tests, etc.
Exam Analysis: What Candidates Are Reporting
Difficulty Level
Most candidates are reporting the exam to be of moderate difficulty overall.
High Weightage Topics / Subjects
Subjects like General Studies, Mental Ability, General Science and Mathematics seemed to carry balanced weight.
Any Surprises / Deviations from Syllabus
No major surprises reported yet — though some questions were said to be slightly tricky, especially in reasoning or application-based sections.
Common Mistakes & What to Watch Out For
Misreading Question Sets / Answer Sets
Make sure you download/verify the correct set (A/B/C/D) since answer keys differ per set.
Overlooking “Trick” Questions / Negative Marking
If negative marking exists (check notification), mistakes in marking or guessing can hurt. Even without negative marking, tricky framing can lead to wrong choices.
After the Objection Process
Final Answer Key Release
Once objections are verified, APPSC will publish a final answer key that is used for final evaluation.
Result Date Expectations
Results (screening / main) are generally declared some weeks after the final key; expect 45–60 days from exam date roughly.
Next Stages in Selection
Main exam (if applicable)
Physical test / walking / chest etc.
Document verification, etc.
Tips for Candidates While Checking Their Answers
Using Answer Key Smartly
Use it to count correct vs incorrect responses
Leave guesswork; only count confidently known ones
Maintain a margin – some marks may change after final key
Conclusion
The release of the APPSC FBO & ABO Answer Key 2025 is a crucial moment for all candidates in this recruitment drive. It gives you your first concrete basis to judge how you’ve performed, before results are declared. Make sure you download the correct set, compare carefully, and if there are any discrepancies—even small—raise your objection in the given timeframe. Be proactive, stay updated from the official site, and use unofficial resources carefully to anticipate what’s ahead. Most importantly, maintain a positive mindset and plan for the next stages wisely.
Read also: UPSC CMS Result 2025 Declared Next Steps