ETC HAT 2026 — Higher Education Aptitude Test (MS/MPhil/PhD Scholarships) Registration & Test Dates

Issuer: Education Testing Council (ETC). Purpose: Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) 2026 for candidates intending to apply for Commonwealth, Chinese Government and other HEC scholarships as well as MS/MPhil and PhD programs. The qualifying score is 60/100; HAT scores are valid for two (2) years.

Registration window: 2026-07-19 to 2026-08-03 (24:00). Test date: 2026-08-30. Online registration and application submission via the ETC portal: http://etc.hec.gov.pk. For online registration help: https://onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk.

Key application instructions:

• Register and SUBMIT the application on the ETC portal; only SUBMITTED applications will be considered. Incomplete or saved-only applications will not be entertained.
• Pay the test fee using the generated 1Link/IBill invoice (online payment via dashboard). Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Download Roll Number Slip from http://etc.hec.gov.pk after registration and print it. Bring original CNIC/Passport and the printed Roll Number Slip to the test centre.
• Candidates must ensure accuracy of CNIC and personal details at submission; no changes permitted after submission. Applicants may select a test centre from the list provided; centres are allocated subject to minimum seat requirements.
• Electronic devices (mobile phones, calculators, recording/communication devices, imaging devices, etc.) are strictly prohibited inside the test centre.

Test categories, disciplines and question breakup:

Additional notes: Test is conducted quarterly in major cities. Admit details, Roll Number Slips and any centre-specific instructions will be issued through the ETC website. For queries during online registration visit the ETC help portal. Candidates should read all instructions on the application portal carefully before submission.