The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has officially opened registration for the Education Testing Council (ETC) Aptitude Test, a mandatory requirement for students seeking admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs across public and private universities.
Candidates can now apply through the HEC’s official web portal. The deadline for submission is set for the coming weeks, though officials have yet to specify the exact date for the first round of testing.
This test serves as a standardized filter for university admissions. It measures critical thinking, analytical skills, and subject-specific knowledge, effectively replacing the fragmented entrance exams previously conducted by individual institutions. Students looking to secure scholarships, particularly those under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme or various provincial funding programs, must provide a valid test score to be considered.
The HEC has emphasized that scores from this specific test are now a prerequisite for many merit-based financial aid packages. Registration requires a nominal fee, payable through designated bank branches. Applicants must upload a clear photograph and provide verified academic credentials before the system generates an admit card. The commission is pushing for a centralized admission model to streamline the process for thousands of applicants who previously struggled with conflicting exam schedules.
By consolidating the aptitude test, the HEC aims to reduce the financial burden on students who once had to pay separate registration fees for every university they applied to. Technical glitches often plague the portal during the final days of registration. Candidates are advised to complete their applications early to avoid the inevitable rush, as the HEC rarely grants extensions once the window closes.
