The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has officially opened HAT Test applications for candidates aiming to apply for the Commonwealth Scholarships 2025–26. The HAT (Higher Education Aptitude Test) is mandatory for all applicants from Pakistan and AJ&K who wish to be considered for Masters and PhD programs under the scholarship scheme.
The deadline to register for the HAT Test is September 20, 2025, and the tentative test date is October 12, 2025. Applicants must register through the HEC portal.
HAT Test Categories & Structure
The HAT will be conducted based on five academic categories, all designed for candidates holding 16 years of education or equivalent. Applicants are advised to register under the category based on their academic discipline.
| Test Category | Disciplines | English / Verbal Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning | Quantitative Reasoning | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAT-1 | Engineering & Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics | 30% | 30% | 40% | 100 |
| HAT-2 | Management Sciences, and Business Education | 30% | 40% | 30% | 100 |
| HAT-3 | Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology (Clinical & Applied), and Law | 40% | 35% | 25% | 100 |
| HAT-4 | Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences, Biological & Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Education, and Media & Mass Communication | 40% | 30% | 30% | 100 |
| HAT-General | Religious Studies (Madrasa Graduates) | 40% | 30% | 30% | 100 |
READ MORE: Commonwealth Scholarship 2025 Applications Open – Apply Now
Candidates are strongly advised to select their category carefully during registration to avoid disqualification as according to HEC, only those who appear in the HAT Test will be eligible to apply for the fully funded Commonwealth Scholarships.
