The Higher Education Commission has delayed the implementation of its new admission testing policy. The decision affects MS, MPhil, and PhD admissions across Pakistan. The updated plan has been issued by the HEC through an official notification.
According to the revised schedule, the new requirement will now start from Fall 2027. Earlier, it was planned for Fall 2026. The change provides universities with more preparation time.
The HEC had announced mandatory GRE and HAT tests for postgraduate admissions. These tests include GRE/HAT-General and GRE/HAT-Subject formats. They were to be conducted through the Education Testing Council (ETC).
However, several universities requested more time to implement the system. They raised concerns about administrative readiness and technical setup. After reviewing these requests, the HEC agreed to postpone the policy.
The policy applies to Level-7 and Level-8 programs. These include MS, MPhil, and PhD or equivalent degrees. The goal is to introduce a standardized admission testing system nationwide.
The HEC stated that universities and degree-awarding institutions will now get an additional year. This time will be used to complete necessary preparations. Institutions are expected to align their systems before Fall 2027.
Earlier, the HEC had planned to make GRE and HAT tests compulsory for all postgraduate admissions. This was part of efforts to improve transparency and merit-based selection.
Universities across the country supported the idea of standardized testing. However, they highlighted practical challenges in immediate implementation. These challenges led to the revised timeline.
Education experts believe the delay may help ensure smoother execution. It also reduces pressure on both students and institutions. Students will have more time to prepare for standardized tests.
The HEC maintains that the policy will still be implemented in the future. It aims to improve fairness in MS, MPhil, and PhD admissions. The system is expected to bring uniformity across all universities.
Officials say the extra time will help avoid disruptions in academic schedules. It will also ensure better coordination between institutions and testing bodies.
In other related news also read HEC Launches Higher Education Expos in Bangladesh 2026
The updated decision reflects a balanced approach by the HEC. It addresses institutional concerns while keeping long-term reforms in place.
