The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is developing a new national-level examination that will be mandatory for students seeking admission to PhD programmes at universities across Pakistan.
The new assessment, called the Higher Education Aptitude and Achievement Test (HAAT), is being developed by HEC's Education Testing Council (ETC). Its main objective is to establish a standardised admission assessment system and ensure a transparent and merit-based selection process for doctoral candidates.
HEC Finalises Test Designs for 48 PhD Subjects
An important development in this initiative is the finalisation of assessment designs for 48 PhD disciplines during the first phase of the HAAT Subject Committee Meeting.
More than 250 academics, subject experts and university representatives from 81 public and private universities participated in the meeting.
HEC Chairman Professor Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar inaugurated the session and highlighted the importance of introducing a uniform assessment system for graduate admissions across the country.
The approved test designs and Tables of Specifications have been prepared after reviewing the academic requirements of different disciplines and their relevance to advanced research studies.
HAAT to Cover 89 Academic Disciplines
According to ETC Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Imtiaz Haider, subject committees have been established for a total of 89 academic disciplines to develop the new assessment system.
The first phase has covered 48 disciplines, while work on the remaining subjects will continue in subsequent phases.
HEC started developing HAAT in May 2026 to establish a common assessment framework for candidates applying to PhD programmes in Pakistan.
HAAT to Become Mandatory for PhD Admissions
The new test will be mandatory for PhD admissions across Pakistan. It is intended to provide universities with a common assessment standard for evaluating prospective doctoral students.
The initiative is expected to bring greater consistency to admission procedures at public and private universities and reduce differences in assessment standards.
Will HAAT Replace the Existing HAT Test?
HAAT is a new assessment being developed specifically for PhD admissions. It should not be confused with the existing Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT), which is already used for postgraduate admissions and scholarship-related requirements.
HEC has not yet clearly explained whether the new HAAT will replace any existing PhD admission test requirements or how it will work alongside the current HAT system.
Further details about the test schedule, registration process, examination format, fee and implementation timeline are also awaited.
Students planning to pursue PhD studies in Pakistan should follow official HEC announcements for updates regarding the new examination and its admission requirements.
