HEC Introduces Mandatory National PhD Entry Test HAAT

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has taken a major step towards standardising PhD admissions across Pakistan by introducing a mandatory national test. Known as the Higher Education Aptitude and Achievement Test (HAAT), the assessment is being developed by HEC's Education Testing Council (ETC) to create a uniform system for evaluating candidates seeking admission to doctoral programmes.

The initiative reached a significant milestone after the ETC finalised assessment designs for 48 PhD disciplines during the first phase of its HAAT Subject Committee Meeting. More than 250 academics, subject specialists and university representatives from 81 public and private universities participated in the meeting, according to an official statement.

HEC Chairman Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, who inaugurated the session, stressed the need for a transparent, merit-based and uniform assessment system for graduate admissions across the country. ETC Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Imtiaz Haider said subject committees have been established for 89 disciplines to develop HAAT assessments and confirmed that the new test will be mandatory for PhD admissions across Pakistan.

The ETC began developing HAAT in May 2026 as part of efforts to standardise the assessment process for doctoral admissions. During the first phase, subject committees approved test designs and Tables of Specifications for 48 PhD disciplines after reviewing their academic relevance and alignment with graduate-level research requirements.

The remaining disciplines are expected to be covered as HEC continues the development of the national assessment framework. The move is seen as a step towards ensuring consistent quality and fairness in PhD admissions nationwide.