NAT 2027 syllabus guide on the latest verified NTS pattern: Category One 90 questions in 120 minutes, Category Two 100 in 120 minutes, full per-topic counts for all 11 papers, one-year validity.
The National Aptitude Test (NAT) runs in two categories. Category One holds six papers for candidates with 12 years of education, and every Category One paper carries 90 questions in 120 minutes: 20 English, 20 Analytical, 20 Quantitative, and 30 Subject. Category Two holds five papers for candidates with 14 years of education, and every Category Two paper carries 100 questions in 120 minutes with splits that differ by type. Your result stays valid for one year.
| Paper | Group | English | Analytical | Quantitative | Subject | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAT-IE | Pre-Engineering | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 90 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-IM | Pre-Medical | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 90 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-IA | Arts | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 90 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-ICS | Computer Science | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 90 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-IGS | General Science | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 90 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-ICOM | Commerce | 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 90 | 120 minutes |
| Paper | English | Analytical | Quantitative | Subject | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAT-IIA | 20 | 15 | 15 | 50 | 100 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-IIB | 10 | 10 | 10 | 70 | 100 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-IIM | 10 | 10 | 10 | 70 | 100 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-IIP | 10 | 10 | 10 | 70 | 100 | 120 minutes |
| NAT-IIO | 20 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 100 | 120 minutes |
Every Category One paper shares the same 20/20/20 common split, and NAT-IIO uses the same sub-splits. English gives 20 through Sentence Completion 5, Analogy 3, Antonym 4, Comprehension 5, and Synonym 3. Analytical gives 20 through Scenario Based 12 and Statements Based 8. Quantitative gives 20 through Arithmetic 13, Algebra 4, and Geometry 3. Category Two reasoning splits differ: NAT-IIA uses English 20 with the same 5/3/4/5/3 split, Analytical 15 (Scenario 10, Statements 5), and Quantitative 15 (Arithmetic 11, Algebra 3, Geometry 1), while NAT-IIB, NAT-IIM, and NAT-IIP use English 10 (3/1/2/3/1), Analytical 10 (6/4), and Quantitative 10 (7/2/1).
| Paper | Subject Split |
|---|---|
| NAT-IE | Physics 10, Chemistry 10, Mathematics 10 |
| NAT-IM | Physics 8, Chemistry 8, Biology 14 |
| NAT-ICS | Physics 10, Computer 10, Mathematics 10 |
| NAT-IA | Islamiyat/Ethics 10, Pakistan Studies 10, General Knowledge 10 |
| NAT-IGS | Mathematics 10, Statistics 10, Economics 10 |
| NAT-ICOM | Accounting 10, Commerce 10, Economics 10 |
The NAT-ICS Computer 10 breaks into Introduction to Computer 4, Programming Skills 3, and Fundamentals of Database 3, alongside Physics 10 and Mathematics 10. Each part adds to 30, and 20 plus 20 plus 20 plus 30 makes the 90-question paper.
| Paper | Subject Split |
|---|---|
| NAT-IIA (50) | Islamiyat/Ethics 10, Pakistan Studies 10, General Knowledge 20, Current Affairs 10 |
| NAT-IIB (70) | Botany 20, Zoology 20, Chemistry 20, Islamiyat 5, Pakistan Studies 5 |
| NAT-IIM (70) | Management 20, Marketing 10, Finance and Accounting 10, Economics 5, Business Ethics 5, Computer Science 10, Islamiyat 5, Pakistan Studies 5 |
| NAT-IIP (70) | Computer Science 15, Physics 15, Mathematics 15, Chemistry 15, Islamiyat 5, Pakistan Studies 5 |
| NAT-IIO (40) | Islamic History 13, Comparison of Religions 13, Sources of Islamic Religion (Quran and Hadith) 14 |
The NAT-IIB Botany 20 covers Plant Physiology 2, Taxonomy 3, Environment 2, Genetics 2, Ecology 2, Algae and Fungi 3, Bryophytes and Pteridophyte 3, and Angiosperm and Gymnosperm 3, with Zoology split as Vertebrates 10 and Invertebrates 10.
Result Valid for One Year
The NTS NAT page states the result stays valid for one year. You appear in a single test for your subject group and can apply to the associated universities in that group, sending each application with a copy of your NTS result card as per that university's announcement.
Cutoffs Are Set per University
Check the admission cutoff and merit rules for your chosen programme on the university’s admissions page.
Marking Rules
Follow the marking instructions on your NTS test notice and admit card.
The remaining dates in the published 2026 schedule are 11 October, 15 November and 13 December. Register through the NTS online portal. The listed fee is Rs 1,510, or Rs 2,010 with the late fee, payable through 1Link 1Bill. Roll-number slips are posted about seven days before the test. Check the current NTS notice before paying or travelling.
Sources & official references
Use the syllabus tables and worked examples to plan your next study session.
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