In a major relief for postgraduate applicants across Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has postponed the implementation of the new GRE/HAT testing requirement for MPhil and PhD admissions.
According to an official HEC announcement, the requirement of GRE/HAT-General for MS/MPhil (Level 7) admissions and GRE/HAT-Subject for PhD (Level 8) admissions through the Education Testing Council (ETC) will no longer apply from Fall 2026 as previously planned.
Fall 2026 Admissions to Continue Under Existing Criteria
HEC has clarified that universities will continue to use their existing admission criteria for Fall 2026 admissions. This means students applying for MS, MPhil, and PhD programs this year will not be required to meet the new ETC-administered GRE/HAT requirements.
The decision provides certainty to thousands of applicants who were preparing for admissions under changing regulations.
New Implementation Date Announced
According to the latest notification, the revised testing policy will now take effect from Fall 2027 admissions.
This gives universities, testing authorities, and prospective students additional time to prepare for the transition to the new admission framework.
What the Decision Means for Students
The announcement is particularly important for students planning to apply for graduate and doctoral programs during the 2026 admission cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Existing admission criteria remain valid for Fall 2026 admissions
- GRE/HAT-General requirement for MS/MPhil admissions deferred
- GRE/HAT-Subject requirement for PhD admissions deferred
- New policy will now become effective from Fall 2027
- Students should follow the latest HEC and university admission notifications
Relief for Thousands of Applicants
The postponement is expected to benefit a large number of students who were concerned about additional testing requirements before applying for postgraduate programs. Universities are also likely to continue their current admission procedures during the upcoming admission cycle.
Applicants are advised to regularly check official HEC notifications and university admission announcements for any further updates regarding postgraduate admissions and testing requirements.
Keywords: HEC, HAT Test, GRE Pakistan, MS Admissions 2026, MPhil Admissions 2026, PhD Admissions Pakistan, ETC HAT Test, HEC Notification, Fall 2026 Admissions, Fall 2027 Admissions.
