The Higher Education Aptitude and Achievement Test (HAAT) will establish a standardised assessment system to ensure transparency and merit-based admissions in doctoral programmes at public and private universities.
The test is being developed by HEC's Education Testing Council (ETC), which has finalised assessment frameworks for 48 PhD disciplines in the first phase of the initiative.
More than 250 academics, subject specialists and university representatives from 81 public and private universities participated in the development process.
HEC Chairman Professor Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar inaugurated the subject committee meeting and emphasised the need for a standardised and merit-based evaluation system for graduate admissions.
ETC Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Imtiaz Haider confirmed that the HAAT will be compulsory for PhD admissions nationwide.
HEC initiated the development of the assessment system in May 2026, establishing subject committees for 89 disciplines. During the first phase, test designs and Tables of Specifications for 48 disciplines were approved after reviewing their academic relevance and alignment with doctoral research requirements.
The remaining disciplines will be included in subsequent phases as HEC continues developing the national assessment framework.
The initiative is aimed at bringing greater consistency and transparency to PhD admissions across Pakistan's higher education institutions.
