NTS
The GAT General, conducted by the National Testing Service (NTS), is used for admission to MPhil/MS programs and for Higher Education Commission (HEC) scholarship schemes.
Test format
Total: 100 MCQs | Time allowed: 120 minutes (2 hours) | Marks: 100 (1 per question) | Negative marking: none | Result validity: 2 years
Sections by category
| Category | Verbal Reasoning | Quantitative Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A — Business & Engineering | 35 | 35 | 30 |
| B — Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences | 50 | 30 | 20 |
| C — Agriculture, Veterinary, Biological & Physical Sciences | 45 | 35 | 20 |
Verbal Reasoning covers comprehension, sentence completion, analogies, antonyms and vocabulary. Quantitative Reasoning covers problem solving and quantitative comparisons. Analytical Reasoning covers analytical and logical reasoning.
Note: GAT Subject
A separate GAT Subject test exists for PhD admissions: 100 MCQs in 120 minutes, split into a general section (30%) and a subject-specific section (70%). Negative marking may apply — confirm in your official test instructions.
Practice quizzes
Try our free English vocabulary practice relevant to the GAT Verbal sections. Note: the GAT Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning sections are not covered.
Format details researched from the official NTS website (nts.org.pk), September 2026. Always confirm current rules on nts.org.pk before applying.