NAT Test Guide: Eligibility, Pattern and Prep

The NAT test (National Aptitude Test) is the NTS aptitude exam for admission to its associated universities and degree-awarding institutes. You sit one test for your subject group, and that result stays valid for one year. Pick the right NAT type, learn the paper pattern, then apply and use your result.

Which NAT type fits your group?

Pick by education level first, then by group. Category One holds six papers for 12 years of education. Category Two holds five papers for 14 years of education. Match the type to the subjects you actually studied.

FSc Pre-Engineering students sit NAT-IE. Pre-Medical students sit NAT-IM. ICS students sit NAT-ICS and ICom students sit NAT-ICOM. The subject section is built from your group, so the wrong type means the wrong paper.

What is the NAT paper pattern?

Every paper runs 120 minutes. Category One papers hold 90 questions with the same split in all six types. Category Two papers hold 100 questions with splits that differ by type.

What is in the subject section?

NTS publishes a different subject split for each NAT paper. These three science routes show how the 30-question section changes.

• NAT-IE: Physics 10, Chemistry 10, Mathematics 10
• NAT-IM: Physics 8, Chemistry 8, Biology 14
• NAT-ICS: Physics 10, Computer 10 (4 introduction, 3 programming, 3 databases), Mathematics 10

The common sections match across Category One papers: English 20 (completion 5, analogy 3, antonym 4, comprehension 5, synonym 3), Analytical 20 (12 scenario, 8 statement), Quantitative 20 (13 arithmetic, 4 algebra, 3 geometry).

The other Category One subjects follow the same 30-question size: NAT-IA covers Islamiyat or Ethics, Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge at 10 each; NAT-IGS covers Mathematics, Statistics and Economics at 10 each; NAT-ICOM covers Accounting, Commerce and Economics at 10 each. Full per-type tables live on the NTS pattern page and our NAT syllabus tables.

How do you apply and use the result?

Apply on the NTS online registration portal. The NAT fee is Rs 1510, or Rs 2010 with the late fee, paid through 1Link 1Bill. Your roll number slip reaches the NTS website at least 7 days before the test.

Associated universities accept a matching NAT type for their subject groups. Apply to each university under its own announcement and attach a copy of your NTS result card. NTS lists 32 associated universities and institutes, including COMSATS Islamabad, IST Islamabad, FAST campuses and UMT Lahore. Check the associated-universities page plus your target university notice before you file.

What happens on test day?

NTS runs a strict booklet routine. Know it before you walk in.

• Booklets arrive sealed in five different shuffles, and the booklet is collected after the test with no pages removed.
• No calculators, mobile phones or calculator watches are allowed.
• Use a blue or black ball pen only, with two blank rough sheets inside the booklet.
• Shading two answers for one question scores zero.
• Late entry is barred after the specified time.

How long is the result valid, and what score do you need?

The NAT result stays valid for one year. Inside that year you can reuse the same result card across member-university applications. Check the admission cutoff and merit rules for your chosen programme on the university's admissions page. Each university sets its own cutoff and merit weight, so aim high and read every target notice.

What is the published NAT schedule?

NTS runs NAT sittings every month. The published 2026 schedule lists NAT-X on Sunday 11 Oct, NAT-XI on Sunday 15 Nov and NAT-XII on Sunday 13 Dec 2026, each with its own announcement, fee, roll-slip and result dates.

How should you prepare for the NAT test?

Start with the preparation page for your paper: NAT-IE for Pre-Engineering, NAT-IM for Pre-Medical, NAT-ICS for Computer Science or NAT-IA for Arts. Use the NAT syllabus guide for other categories, then attempt the worked sample questions. For Category One, practise reasoning alongside your 30-question subject block, building toward 90 questions in 120 minutes. Category Two candidates should use their own subject split and practise 100 questions in 120 minutes.