The Higher Education Commission has officially announced that all admissions to Level 7 and Level 8 graduate programs — including MS, MPhil, and PhD programs — will now require GRE/HAT General and relevant Subject Tests conducted through the HEC’s Education Testing Council (ETC).
According to an official notification issued on May 13, 2026, the new policy will be implemented from Fall 2026 admissions in both public and private universities across Pakistan.
What the New HEC Policy Says
Under the new decision:
- All universities must use GRE/HAT General and relevant Subject Tests conducted by HEC-ETC for admissions to MS, MPhil, and PhD programs.
- Universities will no longer be allowed to conduct their own independent admission tests in place of GRE/HAT for eligibility determination.
- The policy applies to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan.
The decision was taken to improve:
- Transparency in admissions
- Merit-based selection
- Standardization across universities
- Quality assurance in graduate education
HEC stated that it reviewed existing admission practices and found the need for a “uniform and credible assessment mechanism at the national level.”
Previous University-Based Admission Tests Withdrawn
The notification also withdraws certain provisions of the Graduate Education Policy (GEP) 2023 with immediate effect.
Previously, universities had the option to:
- Conduct their own admission tests for MS/MPhil admissions with a passing score of 50%
- Develop GRE/HAT-equivalent tests within the university with a passing score of 60%
These options have now been abolished, meaning students will have to appear in HEC-approved GRE/HAT tests only.
Which Programs Are Affected?
The new rule applies to:
- MS programs
- MPhil programs
- PhD programs
- Other equivalent Level 7 and Level 8 graduate degrees
Both public and private sector universities will follow the same testing policy from Fall 2026 onwards.
What This Means for Students
Students planning to apply for graduate admissions in Pakistan after Fall 2026 should now prepare for:
- HAT General
- GRE-type subject tests (where applicable)
- HEC-ETC testing requirements
The move is expected to create a single standardized admission process across Pakistan’s higher education system.
Universities Directed to Ensure Compliance
HEC has directed vice chancellors, rectors, and heads of universities to immediately ensure compliance with the new admission policy.
The notification was issued by Shahzaib Abbasi, Director (Coordination), HEC.
Students seeking admission in upcoming MS, MPhil, and PhD sessions are advised to regularly check the official Higher Education Commission Pakistan and HEC Education Testing Council (ETC) portals for test schedules, syllabus details, and registration updates.
