The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has made GRE/HAT General and relevant subject tests mandatory for admissions to MPhil and PhD programmes across the country with effect from Fall 2026.
According to a notification issued by the HEC Coordination Division, admissions to Level 7 programmes (MS/MPhil or equivalent) and Level 8 programmes (PhD or equivalent) in both public and private higher education institutions will be based solely on GRE/HAT General and relevant subject tests conducted through the HEC’s accredited body, the Education Testing Council (ETC).
The notification stated that the decision was taken to ensure quality assurance, transparency, standardisation and merit-based admissions in graduate education. The HEC said a review of existing admission practices revealed the need for a uniform and credible assessment mechanism at the national level.
All universities have been directed to ensure compliance with the new policy from Fall 2026 onwards. Under the revised mechanism, admissions to Level 7 and Level 8 programmes will only be processed on the basis of GRE/HAT General and subject tests conducted through HEC-ETC. Universities will no longer be allowed to hold independent admission tests in place of GRE/HAT General for determining eligibility to graduate programmes.
The notification further said certain provisions of the Graduate Education Policy (GEP) 2023 had been withdrawn with immediate effect, including clauses permitting universities to conduct their own admission tests or develop tests equivalent to GRE/HAT General. The HEC said the notification had been issued with the approval of the competent authority and would be binding on all higher education institutions across the country.
