The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a new national standardised test that will become mandatory for admission to PhD programmes across Pakistan. The Higher Education Aptitude and Achievement Test (HAAT) aims to establish a uniform and transparent assessment system for candidates seeking doctoral admissions.
The test is being developed by HEC’s Education Testing Council (ETC), which has finalised assessment designs for 48 PhD disciplines during the first phase of the initiative. More than 250 academics, subject specialists, and university representatives from 81 public and private universities participated in the development process.
HEC Chairman Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, who inaugurated the subject committee meeting, highlighted the importance of a merit-based and standardised evaluation system for graduate admissions. ETC Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Imtiaz Haider also confirmed that HAAT will be compulsory for PhD admissions nationwide.
HEC began developing the assessment in May 2026, with subject committees established for 89 disciplines. The first phase covered 48 disciplines, for which test designs and Tables of Specifications were approved after reviewing their academic relevance and alignment with doctoral research requirements.
The remaining disciplines will be covered as HEC continues developing the national assessment framework. The initiative is expected to bring greater consistency and transparency to PhD admissions across public and private universities in Pakistan.
