Online registration opens on July 19 as test scheduled for August 30
ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a Special Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) for students seeking admission to major local and international scholarship programmes, providing candidates with an opportunity to qualify for prestigious postgraduate funding schemes.
According to the HEC, the examination will be conducted through the Education Testing Council (ETC) for applicants interested in scholarships, including the Commonwealth Scholarships, Chinese Government Scholarships and various other HEC-funded programmes.
The Special HAT is designed primarily for students planning to pursue MS, M.Phil., Ph.D. and other doctoral-level programmes under national and international scholarship opportunities. Officials said the test aims to streamline the scholarship selection process by assessing applicants through a standardised aptitude examination.
Registration schedule and application process
HEC said online registration for the Special HAT will begin on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Interested candidates must complete their applications through the official ETC online portal by creating a new account or logging into an existing profile before filling out the registration form.
Meanwhile, the commission has set Monday, August 3, 2026, as the deadline for submitting applications. Applicants have been advised to complete the registration process well before the closing date to avoid technical issues or last-minute delays.
Test date and candidate instructions
The commission confirmed that the Special HAT will take place on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at designated examination centres across the country.
Furthermore, HEC urged registered candidates to regularly visit the ETC portal for updates regarding roll number slips, examination venues, reporting instructions and other important announcements related to the test.
The commission emphasised that timely registration and careful compliance with all application requirements are essential for students wishing to compete for highly sought-after scholarship opportunities. Successful candidates will become eligible to apply for a range of postgraduate scholarships offered by HEC in collaboration with international partner institutions and governments, subject to the respective scholarship criteria and selection procedures.
