HEC has opened registration for the HAT; the test will be held on December 13
Published 2 hours ago | By Nouman Shakeel
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened online registration for the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) for December 2026. The examination will be held nationwide on December 13, allowing candidates to demonstrate their eligibility for admission into MS, M.Phil, and PhD programs.
According to the HEC’s Education Testing Council (ETC), candidates wishing to take the test may submit their applications online until November 22, 2026. This examination is also significant for applicants seeking HEC postgraduate scholarships.
Who is eligible to apply for the HEC HAT 2026?
Students aspiring to enroll in MS, M.Phil, or PhD programs at public or private universities may register, provided that the respective university accepts HAT scores.
Candidates who have already submitted applications for postgraduate admission or HEC scholarships are also eligible to take the test. Furthermore, students who intend to apply for future scholarships offered by the HEC may also participate in the examination.
When applying, candidates must select the appropriate test category based on their field of study and the admission requirements of their chosen university.
Five Categories of the HEC HAT
The HEC has divided the test into five categories to accommodate candidates from various academic disciplines.
| Test Category | Academic Fields |
|---|---|
| HAT-1 | Engineering and Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics |
| HAT-2 | Management Sciences, Business Education |
| HAT-3 | Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law |
| HAT-4 | Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Education, Media and Mass Communication |
| HAT-General | Religious Studies, including Madrassa graduates |
The test for each category will consist of 100 marks and will include questions related to English (or Verbal Reasoning), Analytical Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
Minimum 50 Marks Required for Success
The HEC has mandated a minimum score of 50 out of 100 to pass the HAT. A candidate's test score will remain valid for two years and may be submitted for postgraduate admission to universities that accept HAT results.
This score will also be valid for HEC postgraduate scholarships, including relevant international scholarship programs; however, candidates must still meet the specific eligibility criteria for each program.
It should be noted that achieving the required score in the HAT does not guarantee admission to a university or the receipt of a scholarship. Final decisions regarding admissions and scholarships will be made by the respective universities and institutions in accordance with their own selection criteria.
Test Date, Roll Number Slips, and Results
According to the schedule issued by the HEC, the test will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2026. The Education Testing Council (ETC) calendar indicates that roll number slips will be issued on December 4, and the results are scheduled to be announced on December 31, 2026.
Candidates will be able to download their roll number slips from the ETC portal. Information regarding this will also be sent to the registered email address and mobile number.
Candidates must bring a printed copy of their roll number slip and their original identity card or passport to the examination center. The test will be conducted in major cities across Pakistan, and candidates will have the option to select an examination center from a list provided during the registration process.
How to Apply Online for the HEC HAT
Candidates wishing to take the test can register online via the HEC’s Education Testing Council (ETC) portal.
To submit an application, candidates must either create an account on the ETC registration portal or log in to an existing one. Subsequently, they must enter their personal and educational details into the online form and select the appropriate test category.
It is essential to accurately provide information such as your name, identity card number, contact details, and any other required data. Incomplete forms or applications left in the 'draft' stage will not be considered.
Once registration is complete, the prescribed test fee must be paid via the 1Link/1Bill service, using the consumer number generated by the portal. After payment, candidates must verify the transaction by selecting the "Verify Online Payment" option within their ETC dashboard.
The deadline for online registration is November 22, 2026; therefore, candidates must complete the application process and pay the required fee before this date.
