NTS NAT GAT Test Dates November 2026 Pakistan
The National Testing Service (NTS) runs two test rounds in the final months of 2026: one in November and one in December. This guide gives one clean calendar for both rounds, explains who each test is for, and covers the fee, roll number slip, and test day steps that every candidate needs.
November and December 2026 Test Calendar
Both rounds fall on Sundays. The table below lists each test, its date, and its application closing date.
| Test | Test date | Applications close | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAT Subject 2026-VI | Sunday 15 November 2026 | 30 October 2026 | Open until 30 October |
| NAT-XI | Sunday 15 November 2026 | 26 October 2026 | Closed, deadline passed |
| GAT General VIII | Sunday 13 December 2026 | 30 November 2026 | Open until 30 November |
| NAT-XII | Sunday 13 December 2026 | Check the NTS website | Applications open, confirm closing date |
Dates can change if NTS issues a revised schedule, so always confirm the current schedule on the NTS website before you plan travel or leave from work.
Who Each Test Is For
- NAT (National Aptitude Test): for students seeking admission to undergraduate programs. Universities use the NAT score as part of their undergraduate admission merit.
- GAT General: for candidates seeking admission to MS and MPhil programs. It tests general aptitude rather than one subject.
- GAT Subject: for candidates seeking admission to PhD programs, and for MS and MPhil programs that require a subject test. The paper covers the candidate's own subject area.
Applying for the wrong test is a common and costly mistake. Check the admission notice of your target university first: it states which test, NAT or GAT, and which GAT type, it accepts.
Fee and Application Steps
Applications are made online on the NTS website. The steps are the same for NAT and GAT:
- Open the NTS online application for your test round and fill in your personal and academic details exactly as they appear on your CNIC and certificates.
- Submit the form and download the fee challan generated with your application.
- Pay the fee shown on the challan at the designated bank before the closing date. The fee amount is printed on the challan itself, so use that figure, not a figure from a social media post.
- Keep the paid challan copy safe. Your application is complete only after the fee is paid within the deadline.
- After verification, NTS uploads your roll number slip on its website before the test date.
Do not trust agents who promise admission or a guaranteed score for a payment. NTS does not work through agents, and no payment outside the official challan is ever required.
Downloading Your Roll Number Slip
- Visit the NTS website and open the roll number slip section for your test.
- Enter your CNIC number to find and download your slip.
- Print the slip and check the test centre address, reporting time, and seat details.
- If your slip is missing or shows an error, contact NTS through its official helpline before the test day, not on the test morning.
What to Carry on Test Day
- Printed roll number slip.
- Original CNIC. A photocopy alone is not accepted.
- Two blue or black ballpoint pens, as instructed on the slip.
- Reach the centre before the reporting time on the slip. Late candidates are not admitted.
- Mobile phones, calculators, and bags are not allowed inside the test hall, so leave them outside or at home.
After the Test: Scores and Admissions
NTS publishes result cards on its website, and universities set their own minimum score for admission. A passing NTS score alone does not guarantee admission: each university applies its own merit formula, combining the test score with academic marks. Use an admission merit calculator to estimate your merit, and work through an admission application checklist so no document is missed. Students still in school can read the BISE result check guide to confirm their board results before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NAT, GAT General and GAT Subject?
NAT is for undergraduate admissions. GAT General is for MS and MPhil admissions. GAT Subject is for PhD admissions and for MS and MPhil programs that require a subject test. Each test has its own paper, so a candidate must apply for the test that matches the admission level they are seeking.
What is the last date to apply for GAT Subject November 2026?
Applications for GAT Subject 2026-VI close on 30 October 2026, and the test is held on Sunday 15 November 2026. Candidates should apply on the NTS website before the closing date, because NTS does not accept applications after the deadline.
Can I still apply for NAT-XI November 2026?
No. Applications for NAT-XI closed on 26 October 2026, which has already passed. Candidates who missed NAT-XI should prepare for the next round, NAT-XII, which is scheduled for 13 December 2026, and check the NTS website for its application closing date.
How do I download my NTS roll number slip?
NTS uploads roll number slips on its website before the test date. Candidates log in with their CNIC number, download the slip, and print it. The slip shows the test centre, reporting time, and seat details, and it must be carried to the test centre along with the original CNIC.
What if I miss the November 2026 NTS test?
Missing the November test does not end the admission process. GAT General VIII and NAT-XII follow on 13 December 2026, and GAT General applications close on 30 November 2026. Candidates should apply for the December round and confirm the closing date for their specific test on the NTS website.