HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (HEC)

Education Testing Council (ETC) — Undergraduate Studies Admission Test (USAT) 2026

Purpose: The USAT is designed for students seeking admission to undergraduate programs across Pakistani universities. Additionally, the test score remains valid for one year for the award of HEC undergraduate scholarships.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

Applications are open to students who fall into either of the following categories:

Candidates who have passed the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or equivalent examinations (12 years of education).
Candidates who have appeared in the final HSSC or equivalent examinations and are currently awaiting their results.

🗂️ USAT Test Categories

Candidates must choose a test category that aligns with their specific academic stream or the admission requirements of their target university.

Test Category Code	Academic Stream / Discipline
USAT-A	Arts & Humanities
USAT-COM	Commerce
USAT-E	Pre-Engineering
USAT-GS	General Science
USAT-CS	Computer Science
USAT-M	Pre-Medical

⚠️ Important: Test categories must be chosen with care. Once an application is submitted, the category cannot be changed at any later stage.

📅 Test Schedule & Timeline

Registration Portal Open: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Last Date for Online Registration: Sunday, June 07, 2026 (until 23:59 hrs)
Test Date: Sunday, July 05, 2026
Frequency: ETC conducts the USAT on a quarterly basis across major cities in Pakistan.

Note: Any modifications to the test dates will be officially announced via hec.gov.pk and etc.hec.gov.pk.

💻 How to Apply & Form Submission Policy

1. Online Registration

Register online via the ETC official portal: etc.hec.gov.pk.
For technical difficulties during the registration process, submit a ticket at onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk.

2. Strict Submission Rules

Final Submission Required: Candidates must actively click SUBMIT to finalize their application. Applications left in SAVE or INCOMPLETE modes will be rejected automatically.
Data Verification: Double-check your Name, CNIC number, and mobile number before submission. Candidates will be barred from the examination hall if there is any mismatch between their physical CNIC data and online application profile.
Identity Rule: You must register using your own CNIC/B-Form. Using credentials belonging to parents, siblings, or relatives will result in immediate disqualification.
Query Window: All technical issues and profile complaints must be resolved before the final registration deadline. No queries are entertained post-deadline due to security and logistical constraints.

3. Fee Payment Method

Fees must be paid using the system-generated consumer number via 1Link / 1Bill Invoice payment channels.
After processing the transaction, candidates must click "Verify Online Payment" on their ETC Dashboard.
Please note that the registration fee is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.

📝 Test Day Regulations & Roll Number Slips

Roll Number Slips: Available for download from the ETC portal and sent via registered email one week before the test date. Email alerts will serve as the primary communication if a mobile number has been ported across networks (as network-converted numbers may fail to receive SMS updates).
Mandatory Entry Documents:
- A printed copy of the Roll Number Slip.
- Original CNIC or Passport.
- Under-18 Candidates: Must bring their Original B-Form paired with an original SSC/HSSC certificate featuring their photograph.
Test Centers: Conducted across major cities. Your chosen test venue cannot be changed post-registration.
Prohibited Items: Mobile phones, calculators, cameras, recording tools, or any communication/imaging electronics are strictly banned inside the center.
Legal Warning: Photographing, uploading, or sharing copies of the test question book is a punishable criminal offense under ETC protocols.

🏛️ Instructions for Partner Universities

Participating universities will incorporate the USAT score into their respective entry weightage metrics based on independent university admission criteria. Students must submit their official ETC Score Card to their prospective universities to clear the merit determining formula.