The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened online registration for the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) 2026. The examination will take place across Pakistan on December 13, 2026.
The HEC Education Testing Council (ETC) will organize the test for postgraduate applicants. It is intended for candidates seeking admission to MS, MPhil, and PhD programs at Pakistani universities.
The test is also required by applicants seeking certain HEC postgraduate scholarships. Interested candidates can complete their online registration until November 22, 2026.
Who Can Apply for HEC HAT 2026?
Candidates applying to public and private universities that accept HAT scores can register. The test is available to students seeking admission to MS, MPhil, and PhD programs.
Applicants who have already submitted postgraduate admission applications can also participate. Similarly, students applying for HEC scholarships are eligible to take the examination.
Candidates planning to apply for future HEC-sponsored scholarships can also register. They must select the appropriate test category according to their academic qualifications.
Applicants should also check their preferred university’s admission requirements before selecting a category.
HEC HAT 2026 Test Categories
HEC has introduced five test categories to accommodate candidates from different academic backgrounds.
These categories cover the following academic fields:
- HAT-1: Engineering and Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics.
- HAT-2: Management Sciences and Business Education.
- HAT-3: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Law.
- HAT-4: Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Education, and Media and Mass Communication.
- HAT-General: Religious Studies applicants, including Madrassa graduates.
Each category carries 100 marks. The examination includes English or verbal reasoning, analytical reasoning, and quantitative reasoning questions.
HEC HAT Passing Marks and Result Validity
Candidates must secure at least 50 marks out of 100 to qualify for the test.
According to HEC, the HAT result will remain valid for two years. Candidates can use their scores for postgraduate admissions at universities accepting HAT results.
The score can also support applications for relevant HEC postgraduate scholarships. This includes certain international scholarship programs, subject to their eligibility conditions.
However, qualifying for HAT does not guarantee university admission or scholarship selection. Universities and scholarship providers will apply their own admission and selection criteria.
HEC HAT Test Date and Roll Number Slips
HEC has scheduled the examination for Sunday, December 13, 2026.
According to the ETC testing calendar, roll number slips are expected on December 4. The council has scheduled the result announcement for December 31, 2026.
Candidates can download their slips through the ETC online portal. They will also receive updates through their registered email addresses and mobile numbers.
Applicants must bring a printed roll number slip to the examination centre. They must also carry their original CNIC or passport for identification.
The examination will take place in major cities across Pakistan. Candidates can choose their preferred examination centre during registration.
How to Apply for HEC HAT December 2026
Interested candidates must submit their applications through the official ETC registration portal.
They can visit https://etc.hec.gov.pk to begin the registration process.
Applicants must create an account or sign in to their existing ETC account. They should then complete the online form with accurate personal and academic information.
The required details include their name, CNIC number, contact information, and selected test category.
After completing the form, candidates must submit their applications. Incomplete applications or forms remaining in draft status will not be considered.
Applicants must also pay the prescribed examination fee through the 1Link/1Bill invoice payment service. They can use the consumer number generated through the registration portal.
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Finally, candidates should verify their payment through the Verify Online Payment option. This option is available on their ETC dashboard.
