HEC Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) Registration 2026 for MS/MPhil, PhD and Scholarships

Overview

The Education Testing Council (ETC) is conducting the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) for students intending to apply for HEC scholarships in PhD programmes or seek admission to MS/MPhil and PhD programmes at universities. Online registration remains open until Friday, October 02, 2026, at 24:00 hours. The test will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

HAT results remain valid for two years for HEC scholarships, including Commonwealth, Chinese Government, Hungarian and other HEC scholarships. ETC conducts HAT quarterly in major cities of Pakistan.

Test Categories and Question Breakdown

Applicants should select the relevant category according to their university admission requirements and academic stream. Categories are based on 16 years of education:

• HAT 1: Engineering & Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Physics — English/Verbal 30%, Analytical 30%, Quantitative 40%.
• HAT 2: Management Sciences and Business Education — English/Verbal 30%, Analytical 40%, Quantitative 30%.
• HAT 3: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology (Clinical & Applied) and Law — English/Verbal 40%, Analytical 35%, Quantitative 25%.
• HAT 4: Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences, Biological & Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Education, and Media & Mass Communication — English/Verbal 40%, Analytical 30%, Quantitative 30%.
• HAT-General: Religious Studies and Madarsa Graduates — English/Verbal 40%, Analytical 30%, Quantitative 30%.

Each category carries a total of 100 marks. The selected subject category cannot be changed after submission of the application.

How to Apply

1. Register online at http://etc.hec.gov.pk.
2. Complete the application and select the appropriate test category and examination centre. Only submitted applications will be considered.
3. Submit the fee through 1Link/1Bill invoice payment services using the generated consumer number. After payment, click “Verify Online Payment” on the ETC dashboard.
4. Download the roll number slip from the registration portal. Applicants will also be informed through their registered email address approximately one week before the test.

Applicants must enter accurate personal information, including name, CNIC number and mobile number, before submitting the application. Queries or complaints received after the registration deadline will not be entertained. Registration difficulties may be reported at https://onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk.

Important Test-Day Details

Bring a printed roll number slip and original CNIC/passport to the test centre. The test city selected in the application cannot be changed afterward. If fewer than 50 applicants are available in a selected city, ETC may assign another test centre. Mobile phones, calculators, recording or communication devices, and image-capturing devices are prohibited at the test centre.

Contact

Education Testing Council, Higher Education Commission
Sector H-9, Islamabad
Helpline: 051-111-119-432, 0334-111-9432