Where a written test is held, APJEE is a school-level paper drawing on the mathematics and science studied up to class 10, using objective questions, and candidates are ranked on their performance. Where the state chooses instead to admit on merit in the qualifying examination, a merit list is prepared from the marks obtained in the prescribed subjects of the class 10 examination. In either case the ranked list feeds a counselling process run by the directorate, in which candidates verify their documents, exercise preferences for institutions and branches and are allotted seats according to merit, category and the reservation rules applied in the state, including provisions for tribal candidates and for children of employees serving in Arunachal Pradesh. Seats covered are the three-year
diploma programmes in the state's polytechnic institutions and, where applicable, seats reserved for the state in institutions elsewhere. Details of the selection route are published in the official notification.