NTS NAT & GAT General Guide 2026
NTS runs the National Aptitude Test (NAT) for undergraduate admissions and the Graduate Assessment Test (GAT General) for MS and MPhil admissions. This guide explains which category you need, what each section tests, how long your score stays valid, and how to prepare efficiently.
Target tests
NAT & GAT General
NTS announces test schedules, category definitions, fee and score validity for each cycle. Universities may set their own minimum score, so check both the NTS and the university requirements.
Which NTS test do you need?
Choose by qualification and the programme you are applying to.
NAT after intermediate
NAT is for undergraduate admissions. Pick your category by intermediate background: NAT-IE for pre-engineering, NAT-IM for pre-medical, NAT-ICS for computer science, and NAT-IGS for general science and other streams.
GAT General for postgraduates
GAT General is required for MS, MPhil and equivalent admissions at many Pakistani universities, and often for HEC scholarship eligibility. Case A, B and C variants map to different disciplines.
University requirements
Each university sets the NAT or GAT category it accepts and the minimum score it will consider. Confirm the required category before you register — the wrong category means retaking the test.
Score validity
NTS scores remain valid for a defined period (commonly one year for NAT and two years for GAT General). Plan your test date so the score is still valid on the admission deadline.
How the NTS process works
Registration to score reporting.
Choose the right test and category
Check the requirement stated by your target university, then select the matching NAT category or GAT case on the NTS portal.
Online registration and fee
Register on nts.org.pk, complete your academic details, upload the required documents and deposit the test fee through the specified bank or online channel.
Roll number slip and test day
Download your roll number slip once issued and report to the allotted centre with your CNIC or B-Form. The paper is MCQ-based with a fixed time limit.
Result and score card
NTS publishes results online and issues a score card showing section-wise and total performance. Keep it safe — universities ask for it during admission.
Retake if needed
You can appear again in a later session to improve your score. Universities usually consider your best valid score, but confirm the policy of the institution you are applying to.
NAT and GAT General test pattern
Three common sections, plus a subject section in NAT.
Grammar, sentence completion, sentence correction, synonyms, antonyms, analogies and reading comprehension.
Arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, algebra, geometry basics, and data interpretation from tables and graphs.
Logical puzzles, seating and ordering arrangements, conditional statements, and deduction — the section that most rewards structured practice.
Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at intermediate level for pre-engineering candidates.
Biology, Chemistry and Physics at intermediate level for pre-medical candidates.
Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science fundamentals for ICS candidates.
NAT vs GAT General — which one do you need?
Pick by your current qualification and the programme you are applying to.
How to prepare for NAT and GAT General
Same three-section core — practice pattern recognition, not memorisation.
Grow vocabulary systematically
Analogies, synonyms and antonyms make up a large part of the verbal section. Learn words in groups with example sentences rather than as isolated lists.
Practise comprehension under time
Read a passage and answer its questions in a fixed window. Speed-reading with accuracy is a learnable skill and it protects your verbal score.
Revise quantitative basics
Arithmetic, percentages, ratio, averages, basic algebra and geometry cover most questions. Practise without a calculator and learn shortcut methods.
Drill analytical puzzles
Seating arrangements, ordering and conditional-logic sets improve dramatically with repetition. Use diagrams rather than trying to hold conditions in your head.
Cover your NAT subject section
For NAT, revise your intermediate subjects to textbook level. This section is where category-specific marks are won and lost.
Sit timed full-length tests
One complete timed paper each week. Track your section-wise accuracy so revision goes where the marks actually leak.
Aim above the minimum
Universities publish minimum scores, but admission is competitive. Target comfortably above the stated minimum for the programme you want.
Prepare for NAT and GAT with Tabir Academy
Category-wise NAT and GAT General preparation with verbal, quantitative, analytical and subject MCQ banks, detailed explanations and full-length timed mock tests.
Separate courses are available for NAT 1E, NAT 1M and NAT ICS candidates.
GAT General course
NAT 1E course
NAT ICS course
NUST NET guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the NTS NAT test?
NAT (National Aptitude Test) is an NTS admission test for undergraduate programmes. It has category-wise versions based on your intermediate background and tests English, quantitative reasoning, analytical reasoning and your subject group.
What is the difference between NAT-IE and NAT-IM?
NAT-IE is for pre-engineering candidates and includes Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in the subject section, while NAT-IM is for pre-medical candidates and includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Which NAT category should I choose?
Choose the category that matches your intermediate background and, more importantly, the category your target university accepts for the programme you are applying to.
What is GAT General?
GAT General is the NTS Graduate Assessment Test required for MS, MPhil and equivalent admissions at many Pakistani universities, and often for scholarship eligibility. It tests verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning.
What is the GAT General test pattern?
It contains verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning sections with no subject component. The weighting of these sections differs by case (A, B or C) depending on your discipline.
How long is an NTS score valid?
Validity is defined by NTS for each test — commonly one year for NAT and two years for GAT General. Confirm the current validity period and make sure your score is valid on the admission deadline.
How do I register for an NTS test?
Register online at nts.org.pk: choose the test and category, complete your academic details, upload the required documents and pay the fee through the specified channel before the closing date.
Is there negative marking in NTS tests?
NTS states the marking scheme in the candidate information for each test. Check it before test day and plan your guessing strategy accordingly.
Can I retake the NAT or GAT test?
Yes. You can appear in a later session to improve your score. Most universities consider your best valid score, but confirm the policy of the institution you are applying to.
What is a good NAT score?
Universities publish their own minimum acceptable scores, but admission is competitive. Aim comfortably above the stated minimum rather than targeting the bare threshold.
How should I prepare for the analytical reasoning section?
Practise puzzle types repeatedly — seating arrangements, ordering, grouping and conditional logic — and always draw a diagram. This section improves faster than any other with structured practice.
How long does NAT or GAT preparation take?
Four to eight weeks of consistent daily practice is realistic for most candidates, with the final two weeks devoted to full-length timed papers.
Do I need NAT for every Pakistani university?
No. Some universities conduct their own entry tests, some accept NAT, and some accept either. Check the admission policy of each university before registering.
Are NAT and GAT past papers useful?
Yes. They reveal recurring question styles, especially in analytical reasoning and vocabulary, and they make the timing predictable. Use them after covering the basics.
Is coaching necessary for NTS tests?
Not usually. A structured MCQ bank with explanations plus weekly timed practice is enough for most candidates; coaching mainly adds routine and feedback.
How much is the NAT test fee?
NTS sets the fee for each test category and revises it periodically, and it is paid at registration through the channels listed in the candidate information. Check the current fee on the test's registration page on nts.org.pk before applying, and keep the deposit slip — you may need it at the test centre.
When is the last date to register for NAT?
NAT runs in scheduled sessions through the year, each with its own closing date roughly three to four weeks before the test. Since dates change every cycle, open the NTS schedule page, pick the session that lands before your university's admission deadline, and register early — late registrations are not accepted.
What should I bring to the NTS test centre?
Carry your original CNIC or B-Form, the printed roll-number slip, the fee deposit slip and a couple of pens or pencils. Mobile phones, calculators and smart watches are not allowed inside, so plan for a paper-only test.
How can I check my NTS result?
NTS publishes results on its website against your roll number or CNIC, usually within a few weeks of the test, and the score report becomes available for download afterwards. Save the report — universities ask for it during admission verification.
Is NAT accepted for NUST or other university admissions?
NUST conducts its own NET and does not admit on NAT. Many other universities — especially private and general-university programmes — do accept NAT, and some accept either their own test or NAT. Check each university's admission policy before choosing which test to register for.
How long is an NTS NAT or GAT score valid?
NAT scores are generally valid for one year and GAT General scores for two years from the test date. Universities apply their own cut-off dates on top of that, so confirm that your score will still be inside the validity window on the day the admission list is finalised.
Can I repeat NAT or GAT to improve my score?
Yes. You can appear in a later session as many times as the schedule allows, paying the fee each time. Most institutions consider your best valid score, but a few average or require the latest one, so check the policy before repeating.
What is a good score in GAT General?
50% is the commonly stated minimum for MS and MPhil admission and for HEC scholarship eligibility, but competitive programmes admit well above it. Treat 60–70% as a realistic target if you are applying to a well-ranked university or a funded seat.