The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched online registration for the Undergraduate Studies Admission Test (USAT), which is set to take place across Pakistan on December 13, 2026. The test is being conducted by the HEC’s Education Testing Council (ETC) for students aiming to enter undergraduate degree programs at Pakistani universities.
Registration for the exam opened on November 8, 2026, and will remain open until November 22, 2026. Eligible candidates are those who have finished their Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or an equivalent 12-year education qualification. The HEC also notes that students who have sat for their final HSSC exams but are still waiting for results are permitted to register.
Applicants are required to choose a specific test category based on their academic history and the specific requirements of the university they wish to attend. The HEC is conducting the USAT in six distinct categories: USAT-A for Arts and Humanities, USAT-COM for Commerce, USAT-CS for Computer Science, USAT-E for Pre-Engineering, USAT-GS for General Science, and USAT-M for Pre-Medical students.
To pass the exam, students must achieve a minimum qualifying score of 50 marks out of 100. These scores will be valid for a period of two years for both university undergraduate admissions and HEC undergraduate scholarship applications, provided the scholarships meet the relevant requirements. However, the HEC clarifies that passing the test does not guarantee admission to a university, as institutions will still evaluate applicants based on their own merit and admission policies.
To apply, candidates must use the official ETC registration portal at https://etc.hec.gov.pk to provide personal and academic details and select their category. The HEC warns that only submitted applications will be considered, and any forms left in draft or incomplete status will be ignored. Candidates must pay the required fee via the 1Link/1Bill invoice payment service using a consumer number from the portal and then select the Verify Online Payment option on their dashboard.
