The Higher Education Commission (HEC), through its Education Testing Council (ETC), has announced registrations for the Special Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) 2026 for students seeking scholarships under the Commonwealth Scholarship, Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), and other HEC-funded international scholarship programmes.
The Special HAT is mandatory for applicants intending to apply for MS, MPhil, and PhD/Doctoral scholarships offered by HEC and its international partner organizations.
Registration Schedule
According to the official announcement:
- Online Registration Starts: July 19, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: Monday, August 3, 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Test Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
The test will be conducted in major cities across Pakistan.
Purpose of the Test
The Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) is designed to assess candidates applying for graduate and postgraduate scholarship programmes. A valid HAT score is one of the eligibility requirements for various HEC international scholarship schemes, including:
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- Chinese Government Scholarships
- Other HEC overseas scholarship programmes
HAT Categories
Applicants must choose the HAT category according to their academic discipline.
HAT-I
For students in:
- Engineering & Technology
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
Question Distribution
- English/Verbal Reasoning: 30%
- Analytical Reasoning: 30%
- Quantitative Reasoning: 40%
HAT-II
Applicable to:
- Management Sciences
- Business Education
Question Distribution
- English/Verbal Reasoning: 30%
- Analytical Reasoning: 40%
- Quantitative Reasoning: 30%
HAT-III
For applicants in:
- Arts & Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Psychology (Clinical & Applied)
- Law
Question Distribution
- English/Verbal Reasoning: 40%
- Analytical Reasoning: 35%
- Quantitative Reasoning: 25%
HAT-IV
For candidates in:
- Agriculture
- Veterinary Sciences
- Biological & Medical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Education
- Media & Mass Communication
Question Distribution
- English/Verbal Reasoning: 40%
- Analytical Reasoning: 30%
- Quantitative Reasoning: 30%
HAT-General
Available for:
- Religious Studies
- Madrasa Graduates
Question Distribution
- English/Verbal Reasoning: 40%
- Analytical Reasoning: 30%
- Quantitative Reasoning: 30%
Each test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score and Validity
- Qualifying Score: 60 out of 100
- Validity of HAT Score: Two years
Candidates obtaining at least 60 marks can use their HAT score for eligible scholarship applications during the validity period.
How to Apply
Applicants must register online through the ETC portal:
After registration, candidates should:
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
- Generate the fee challan.
- Deposit the prescribed test fee through the available payment channels.
- Download the Roll Number Slip once issued.
Only submitted applications will be considered. Saved or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Important Instructions
HEC has advised candidates to:
- Select the correct HAT category according to their discipline, as it cannot be changed later.
- Ensure that CNIC and application details match exactly.
- Bring the original CNIC or Passport along with the Roll Number Slip on the test day.
- Arrive at the examination centre at least 250 minutes before the test starts.
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, recording devices, and other electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.
Test Centres
The HAT will be conducted in major cities across Pakistan. Candidates may select their preferred test centre during online registration, subject to seat availability.
Official Registration Link
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the ETC portal:
Students planning to apply for Commonwealth, Chinese Government, or other HEC scholarships for MS, MPhil, and PhD programmes are advised to complete their registration before August 3, 2026, to become eligible for the scholarship selection process.
