You want admission to an MS, MPhil, or PhD program, and your university asks for a valid GAT score. The first question you face is simple: when is the next test, and how much time do you have to apply? This guide gives you the latest GAT test schedule 2026 for MPhil and PhD, the closing dates, the fee, the eligibility rules, and a step-by-step method to register. Read it once and you will know exactly what to do next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Testing Service (NTS) conducts the Graduate Assessment Test (GAT) for students who want to continue higher education in Pakistan. NTS offers two types of GAT:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GAT General: for MS and MPhil admissions
GAT Subject: for PhD admissions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Universities also use GAT scores for scholarships and faculty hiring. Before you register, remember one important point: each university decides which test it accepts, so check your university\u2019s admission notice first. Some universities run their own tests, and HEC runs separate tests such as the HAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NTS has already held most of its 2026 GAT tests. The table below shows the tests that are still ahead, according to the NTS schedule as of mid-October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Test date: Sunday, 15 November 2026
Announced: Monday, 14 September 2026
Closing date: Monday, 12 October 2026
Roll number slip: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Result: Monday, 23 November 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NTS\u2019s Open Applications page lists 19 October as the last date of form submission, and this extra window most likely covered the late fee. Both dates have now passed, so if you missed this test, check the next GAT Subject schedule early in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Test date: Sunday, 13 December 2026
Announced: Monday, 12 October 2026
Closing date: Monday, 30 November 2026
Roll number slip: Tuesday, 8 December 2026
Result: Monday, 21 December 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you plan to apply for MPhil admissions in spring 2027, the 13 December test is your best and last chance in 2026. Registration is open now, so do not wait for the final week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NTS sometimes revises its dates through public notices. Always confirm the final schedule on nts.org.pk before you pay the fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NTS charges a normal fee and a higher late fee for each test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GAT General: Rs 1,810 (Rs 2,510 with late fee)
GAT Subject: Rs 2,210 (Rs 3,010 with late fee)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bank deposit slip also shows a small service charge, so treat the amount printed on your slip as the final figure. Apply before the regular closing date and you will save Rs 700 to Rs 800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your education level decides which test you can take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GAT General: at least 16 years of education (BS, or BA\/BSc plus a master\u2019s degree)
GAT Subject: at least 18 years of education (MS or MPhil degree)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final-semester students can usually appear in the test as well, because universities check the score at the time of admission. If you are in your last semester, confirm this with your target university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A GAT score stays valid for two years, and you can retake the test to improve your previous score. This gives you a clear advantage. If you take GAT General in December 2026, you can use the same score for admissions in both 2027 and 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most universities and HEC rules require at least 50 percent marks in GAT General for MS and MPhil admission, and at least 60 percent in GAT Subject for PhD admission. Some competitive programs set a higher merit, so aim above the minimum. Always read the exact requirement in your university\u2019s admission advertisement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GAT General contains 100 MCQs, and you get 120 minutes to solve them. The paper tests three areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Verbal Reasoning: vocabulary, analogies, sentence completion, and reading comprehension
Quantitative Reasoning: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and basic statistics
Analytical Reasoning: logical puzzles, patterns, and critical thinking questions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NTS changes the weightage of each section according to your academic category, such as engineering, business, social sciences, or arts. Check your category on the NTS website so you can give more time to the section that carries the most marks for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow these steps to register on the NTS portal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NTS does not process incomplete forms. Also choose your second test city carefully. Some test cities run only if at least 200 fee-paid candidates register, so a backup city protects you if NTS cancels your first choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Log in to your NTS account a week before the test, open your registered test, and download the roll number slip. Print it and carry it to the test centre with your original CNIC. NTS also sends SMS alerts, but these do not reach ported mobile numbers, so do not depend on the SMS alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NTS announces the GAT General VIII result on 21 December 2026. Visit nts.org.pk, open the results section, select your test, and enter your CNIC number. Download your result card and keep a copy, because universities ask for it during admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reach the test centre early with your roll number slip and original CNIC. NTS does not allow mobile phones inside the test centre, so leave your phone at home or with someone outside. Bring a blue or black pen and manage your time: spend about one minute per question, and skip any tough question and return to it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: When is the next GAT General test in 2026?<\/strong> Q: What is the last date to apply for GAT General December 2026?<\/strong> Q: Which GAT do I need for MPhil admission?<\/strong> Q: How long is my GAT score valid?<\/strong> Q: Can I take the GAT test again to improve my score?<\/strong> Q: Does every university accept the GAT score?<\/strong> You have about seven weeks before the December test, which is enough time if you practice daily. Use these free resources on MCQsDrive to build your verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills:<\/p>\n\n\n\n English MCQs (vocabulary and grammar): mcqsdrive.com\/english Open Quiz Mode on MCQsDrive to create timed practice tests and track your speed. Bookmark this page as well, because we update the GAT test schedule as soon as NTS announces new dates for 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You want admission to an MS, MPhil, or PhD program, and your university asks for a valid GAT score. The first question you face is simple: when is the next…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=597"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/597\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":599,"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/597\/revisions\/599"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcqsdrive.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
NTS will conduct GAT General VIII on Sunday, 13 December 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The closing date is Monday, 30 November 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need GAT General for MS and MPhil admission. GAT Subject is for PhD admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your GAT score remains valid for two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. NTS allows you to retake the test, and you can submit your better score to universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No. Each university sets its own requirement, so read its admission notice before you register.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStart Your GAT Preparation Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Maths MCQs (quantitative reasoning): mcqsdrive.com\/maths
Intelligence MCQs (analytical reasoning): mcqsdrive.com\/intelligence-mcqs
General Knowledge MCQs: mcqsdrive.com\/general-knowledge-g-k-mcqs<\/p>\n\n\n\n