Cadet College Admission Guide 2026
Cadet colleges admit students mainly in Class 7 and Class 8 through a written entry test, interview and medical examination. This guide explains who can apply, what the written test contains, how the interview and medical work, and how a Class 6 or 7 student should prepare.
Target admission
Cadet Colleges
Every cadet college publishes its own age limits, test date and syllabus each admission cycle. Always confirm details on the official college website before applying.
Who can apply to a cadet college?
Age and class requirements are strict and vary slightly by college.
Current class
Students studying in Class 6 apply for Class 7 entry, and students in Class 7 apply for Class 8 entry. Some colleges also offer Class 9 or F.Sc (Class 11) entry in limited seats.
Age limits
Each college states a narrow age band measured on a cut-off date (commonly around 11–13 years for Class 7/8 entry). Being even a few months outside the band usually disqualifies an application, so check the prospectus carefully.
Domicile & quota
Most cadet colleges reserve seats province-wise or district-wise, with some open-merit and special quotas. Federal colleges such as Cadet College Hasan Abdal draw students from across Pakistan.
Medical fitness
Candidates must be medically fit — normal vision standards, no significant deformity or chronic condition. Medical examination happens after the written test and interview.
Merit weighting
Selection is a combined score: the written test carries the largest share, the interview adds a smaller but decisive weight, and medical fitness is pass/fail. Quota then decides who from that merit order gets a seat.
Fees and boarding
Cadet colleges are residential, so annual charges cover tuition, boarding, messing, uniform and a one-time admission fee. Government colleges cost less than private ones, and most offer concessions for high merit and for armed-forces families.
Well-known cadet colleges in Pakistan
A starting shortlist — every college publishes its own prospectus, age limits and test syllabus each cycle.
The oldest and most competitive cadet college in Pakistan, drawing applicants from every province. Known for strong academics and a large ISSB success record.
Run by the Pakistan Army with a strong feeder record into PMA Kakul. Admission is through its own written test, interview and medical.
A Pakistan Army institution with reserved seats for Balochistan alongside open-merit entry from other provinces.
One of the earliest cadet colleges, on the Indus near Hyderabad. Popular with families across Sindh.
A long-established KPK college with province-wise quotas and a competitive written entry test.
Run under the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association in a scenic hill setting near Abbottabad, with its own admission test.
A government-run Sindh cadet college serving upper Sindh districts with its own entry test and quota seats.
A KPK government cadet college established after 2010, popular with families from Malakand division.
One of the newer Sindh cadet colleges, part of the provincial network expanding boarding education in Sindh.
Top cadet colleges at a glance
Compare entry classes and what each college is known for before you apply.
The cadet college admission process
From application form to joining instructions.
Application and form submission
Buy or download the prospectus, complete the admission form with school records, photographs and domicile documents, and submit it with the processing fee before the deadline.
Written entry test
A paper-based test at the college or a designated centre, usually covering English, Mathematics, Science, Urdu, Islamiat and general knowledge, at Class 6/7 level.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates appear before a board that assesses confidence, general awareness, communication and motivation for a boarding-school military environment. Parents are often interviewed too.
Medical examination
A standard medical check of height, weight, eyesight, hearing, teeth and general health. Borderline cases may be referred for a specialist opinion.
Merit list and joining
Final selection combines written test marks and interview performance, subject to medical fitness and the applicable quota. Selected students receive joining instructions with a uniform and kit list.
Cadet college written test pattern
Questions stay at school level — accuracy and speed decide the result.
Grammar, tenses, prepositions, vocabulary, sentence correction, comprehension passage and a short paragraph or letter.
Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, unitary method, simple algebra, geometry basics and word problems.
General science from Class 5–7: living things, human body, matter, energy, light, sound, and the solar system.
Grammar, opposites, idioms, comprehension and short writing, depending on the college's medium requirements.
Basic Islamiat, Pakistan Studies, national symbols, current national awareness and armed-forces general knowledge.
Some colleges add verbal and non-verbal reasoning: series, analogies, odd-one-out and figure patterns.
Shorter paper pitched at Class 5–6: basic grammar and vocabulary, four operations, fractions and simple word problems, everyday science and simple general knowledge.
Longer and harder: comprehension plus writing in English, ratio, percentage, simple algebra and geometry in Maths, and a fuller science and Islamiat/GK spread.
How to prepare for a cadet college entry test
A steady six-month plan works better than last-minute cramming at this age.
Build English early
English decides most cadet college results. Fix tenses, prepositions and vocabulary first, then practise one comprehension passage and one short writing task each week.
Drill arithmetic daily
Twenty minutes a day on fractions, percentages, ratio and word problems builds the speed the paper demands. Avoid calculators entirely during practice.
Revise general science
Read Class 5–7 science chapters and summarise each in five points. Most science questions are direct recall, so clean revision notes are enough.
Practise reasoning questions
Series, analogies and figure patterns improve quickly with repetition. Ten questions a day is enough to make the intelligence section comfortable.
Solve full-length mocks
Sit a complete timed paper every weekend in the last two months. Review every mistake and note whether it was a concept gap, a careless slip or a timing problem.
Rehearse the interview
Practise introducing yourself, naming your school, your favourite subject, why you want to join a cadet college, and current national general knowledge. Clarity matters more than long answers.
Prepare for cadet college admission with Tabir Academy
College-specific preparation courses with English, Mathematics, Science, Urdu and general knowledge MCQs, explanations and full-length timed practice papers.
Separate courses are available for Cadet College Kohat, Petaro and Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi.
Cadet College Hasan Abdal
Cadet College Kohat
Cadet College Petaro
Join Pak Army guide
PMA Long Course guide
Pakistan Navy guide
Frequently asked questions
In which class do cadet colleges admit students?
Most cadet colleges in Pakistan admit students into Class 7 and Class 8. Some also offer limited entry in Class 9 or at F.Sc (Class 11) level.
What is the age limit for cadet college admission?
Each college publishes a narrow age band measured on a fixed cut-off date, commonly around 11 to 13 years for Class 7 and Class 8 entry. Applications outside the band are rejected, so confirm the exact dates in the current prospectus.
What subjects are in the cadet college entry test?
The written test usually covers English, Mathematics, General Science, Urdu, Islamiat and general knowledge at Class 6 or 7 level. Some colleges also include an intelligence or reasoning section.
How can I prepare for the cadet college test?
Strengthen English grammar and comprehension, drill arithmetic daily without a calculator, revise Class 5–7 science, practise reasoning questions, and sit full-length timed mock papers in the final two months.
Is there an interview for cadet college admission?
Yes. Candidates who clear the written test are called for an interview that assesses confidence, communication, general awareness and motivation. Parents are often interviewed as well.
What medical standards apply to cadet college admission?
Candidates must be medically fit with normal vision standards, no significant physical deformity and no chronic illness. The medical examination takes place after the written test and interview.
Which are the best-known cadet colleges in Pakistan?
Cadet College Hasan Abdal, Cadet College Petaro, Cadet College Kohat, Military College Jhelum, Military College Sui and Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi are among the most competitive.
Does a cadet college guarantee an army commission?
No. Cadet colleges prepare students academically and physically for ISSB and armed-forces selection, but a commission still depends on clearing the regular PMA or equivalent selection process.
How competitive is cadet college admission?
Well-known colleges receive far more applicants than available seats, and seats are further divided by province or district quota. A high written test score plus a strong interview is needed for open merit.
How much does a cadet college cost?
Fees vary widely by college and include tuition, boarding, messing and uniform charges. Many colleges offer scholarships or fee concessions for high performers and for children of serving or retired armed-forces personnel.
Can girls apply to cadet colleges in Pakistan?
Most traditional cadet colleges admit boys only, but there are girls cadet colleges in several provinces. Check the specific institution's prospectus for its admission policy.
When do cadet college admissions open?
Admission cycles usually open in the winter or early spring with tests held a few months later, but exact dates differ by college and change every year. Track each college's official website for its notification.
How long should a student prepare for cadet college entry?
Four to six months of consistent daily study is a realistic target for a Class 6 or 7 student. Short daily sessions work far better than long weekend cramming at this age.
Are past papers useful for cadet college tests?
Yes. Past and model papers show the difficulty level and question style, and they make timing predictable. Use them after covering the syllabus, not as a starting point.
What documents are needed for a cadet college application?
Typically the completed admission form, birth certificate or B-Form, recent school result cards, domicile documents, passport-size photographs and the processing fee receipt.
What is a good strategy to pass the cadet college written test?
Cover the full Class 6 or 7 syllabus first, then spend the final eight weeks on timed past and model papers. Prioritise English and Mathematics — they carry the most marks — and review every mock mistake the same day so weak topics get fixed, not repeated.
Can a child prepare for cadet college entry at home?
Yes. The test stays at school level, so a structured home routine — daily English and arithmetic practice, weekly science revision, and timed mock papers — is enough for most families. A structured online course helps mainly with syllabus coverage, explanations and realistic timed practice.
Which syllabus should I follow for cadet college test preparation?
Use the Class 6 or 7 national textbook board syllabus as your checklist: English grammar and comprehension, arithmetic and basic geometry, general science, Urdu grammar and Islamiat. Then match it against the specific college's prospectus, since some colleges add an intelligence or reasoning section.
What is the difference between the Class 7 and Class 8 cadet college entry test?
The Class 7 paper is set at Class 5–6 level with basic grammar, four operations, fractions, everyday science and simple general knowledge. The Class 8 paper is longer and pitched at Class 7 level, adding comprehension and writing in English, ratio, percentage, simple algebra and geometry, and a wider science, Islamiat and general knowledge spread.
How is cadet college merit calculated?
Merit is a combined score in which the written test carries the largest weight and the interview a smaller but decisive one, with medical fitness treated as pass or fail. The merit order is then applied within each province or district quota, so cut-offs differ between quotas at the same college.
What is the monthly fee of a cadet college in Pakistan?
Charges are annual and residential, covering tuition, boarding, messing, uniform and a one-time admission fee. Government cadet colleges are considerably cheaper than private ones, and most publish their current fee schedule in the prospectus along with scholarships for high merit and armed-forces families.
How do I check a cadet college entry test result and merit list?
Each college posts its written test result and call-for-interview list on its own website and notice board, followed by a final merit list after interviews and medical. Colleges do not use a common portal, so track only the official site of the college you applied to.