NTS Test Pattern 2026: Syllabus, Marks & Passing Marks

NTS test preparation in Pakistan starts with one question: what does the paper actually look like?

The National Testing Service (NTS) runs three kinds of test in Pakistan: NAT for undergraduate admission, GAT for MS, MPhil and PhD admission, and screening tests for government jobs. Each one has its own pattern, and the pattern decides how you prepare.

Below are the full patterns for each test: the sections, the number of MCQs, the time, the marking rules and the passing marks. The 2026 test dates, the fee, the answer key and the test-day rules are covered too.

The dates, fees, validity and test-day rules come from nts.org.pk. The section-wise MCQ counts come from the NTS sample papers.

NTS Test Preparation in Pakistan at a Glance#

The table below lists the pattern for every NTS test in one place. Read the row for your own test, then read its section below for the detail.

Registration runs through the NTS portal at portal.nts.org.pk. The NTS online apply guide explains each step, from registration to the roll number slip.

NTS Test Pattern for Jobs in Pakistan#

A job screening test has no fixed pattern. The department that hires sets the pattern in its advertisement, and the exact sections, number of MCQs and time are printed on your roll number slip.

Do not read the NAT or GAT tables below as your job test pattern.

NTS job tests commonly cover these sections. Your own advert lists the sections for your post, so read it before you start preparing.

Match your preparation to your own advert. If the advert lists a subject part, give it the most time. The roll number slip is the final word on the number of questions and the time.

NAT Pattern and Syllabus in Pakistan#

NAT is the undergraduate admission test. NAT-I is for candidates with 12 years of education. NAT-II is for candidates with 14 years of education.

One NAT test makes you eligible for admission to all NTS-associated universities in your subject group, but you still apply to each university separately with a copy of your NTS result card.

NAT-I has 90 MCQs in 120 minutes. Each MCQ carries 1 mark. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question.

The 30 subject MCQs depend on your stream. Pre-engineering takes Maths, Physics and Chemistry, 10 MCQs each. Pre-medical takes Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Computer science takes Maths, Physics and Computer Science. Commerce takes Accounting, Commerce and Economics. General science and arts take their own subject group.

NAT-II has 100 MCQs in 120 minutes. The subject part carries 40 to 70 questions, and the English, analytical and quantitative sections carry the rest. The exact split depends on your group.

A NAT result stays valid for one year. You can retake NAT in a later session to improve your score.

GAT General Pattern and Syllabus in Pakistan#

GAT General is the MS and MPhil admission test. It has 100 MCQs in 120 minutes, with no negative marking. Each MCQ carries 1 mark. You need at least 16 years of education to sit it.

The paper splits by category. Your category depends on your field of study.

A GAT General result stays valid for two years. You can retake it in a later session to improve your score.

GAT Subject Pattern and Syllabus in Pakistan#

GAT Subject is the PhD admission test. It has 100 MCQs in 120 minutes. Each MCQ carries 1 mark. You need at least 18 years of education to sit it. NTS also uses GAT Subject for the recruitment of graduates.

Give the subject section most of your preparation time. It carries 70% of the paper. A GAT Subject result stays valid for two years.

Time, Marking and Negative Marking in Pakistan#

Every NTS test is a paper test on an OMR answer sheet. You shade circles with a blue or black ball pen. The rules below apply to NAT, GAT General and GAT Subject.

• No negative marking: NAT and GAT General do not deduct marks for wrong answers. Attempt every question.
• Two answers, zero marks: shading two circles for one question scores zero for that question.
• Overwriting: cutting or overwriting near a circle can score zero for that question.
• Rough work: two blank sheets sit inside the question booklet. Bring no other paper.
• Banned items: no calculators, mobile phones or calculator wrist watches in the centre.
• Booklet: the booklet comes in five shuffles and stays sealed until the test starts. It is collected at the end. No page may be kept or torn out.

For GAT Subject, the marking rule is printed in the test instructions on your roll number slip. Read it before the test.

NTS Passing Marks in Pakistan#

The usual qualifying mark on an NTS test is 50%. The university or department that hires can set a higher mark. Read your own advert or university notice for the exact mark.

GAT General uses a 50% qualifying score. Universities may ask for more. Job tests use the mark the hiring department sets in its advertisement, usually 50%.

Passing the test does not guarantee admission or selection. Universities and departments build a merit list from the scores, and the top candidates get the seats or the interview call. The merit calculator shows how your test score counts toward merit.

How to Check the NTS Answer Key in Pakistan#

NTS uploads the answer key within 24 to 48 hours of the test. You match it against your own answers to estimate your score before the result.

1. Open nts.org.pk.
2. Open the Answer Keys section.
3. Pick your test and your booklet colour (Blue, Pink, White, Yellow or Green).
4. Download the PDF key.
5. Compare each answer with the key and count your correct answers.
6. Multiply your correct answers by 1 mark each to estimate your score.

The result comes about 8 days after the test. NAT-XI was held on 15 November 2026 and its result comes on 23 November 2026.

Check your result by roll number or CNIC on the NTS result page. The NTS result by CNIC guide explains that check. If you also sat an ETEA test, the ETEA result guide explains that check.

NTS Test Dates and Fee 2026 in Pakistan#

The table below lists the 2026 dates for the two tests in November and the two in December. The closing date is the last date to submit the registration form.

The fee for each test is:

Pay through 1Link 1Bill: a participating bank, ATM, internet banking, mobile banking, EasyPaisa, JazzCash or a TCS Express Counter. Download the deposit slip from the NTS portal only. Bank service charges appear on the deposit slip.

What to Bring on Test Day in Pakistan#

Your roll number slip carries your centre, your reporting time and your booklet rules. Download it as soon as NTS uploads it.

NTS uploads the slip at least 7 days before the test and sends an SMS to your mobile. SMS on ported numbers is restricted.

• Original CNIC or B-Form: bring the original. A photocopy is not accepted.
• Printed roll number slip: show it at the entry point. Without it, no candidate is entertained.
• Fee deposit slip: keep it with you as proof of payment.
• Reporting time: report at the time on the slip. No candidate is admitted after the stated time.

NTS runs the test in 13 compulsory cities: Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mirpur.

Other cities run only if at least 200 registered fee-paid candidates choose them. If you have a question, call the NTS call centre on +92-51-844-444-1.

NTS Test Preparation Plan: 2 to 4 Weeks#

Four weeks is enough for a full preparation plan. Two weeks works if you already know the basics. Work in this order:

1. Week 1: take a sample paper to find your weak section. Study that section first.
2. Week 2: work through the English and quantitative sections. Learn the question types, not just the answers.
3. Week 3: practise the subject section from your own textbooks and notes.
4. Week 4: sit two full timed papers. Practise shading the OMR sheet within the time limit.

Attempt every question on the real paper. There is no negative marking on NAT and GAT General, so a guess costs nothing.

Common Mistakes That Cost Candidates Marks in Pakistan#

• Wrong category: sitting NAT-IE when your university wants NAT-IM wastes the attempt. Check your university’s category first.
• Skipping the slip: the slip carries your centre, time and booklet rules. Download it as soon as NTS uploads it.
• Late reporting: no candidate is admitted after the time on the slip. Reach the centre early.
• Leaving questions blank: with no negative marking on NAT and GAT General, a blank answer and a wrong answer both score zero. Attempt every question.
• Shading two circles: two shaded circles for one question score zero. Shade one circle only.
• Wrong documents: bring your original CNIC or B-Form, the printed slip and the deposit slip. A photocopy of your CNIC is not enough.

Apply only through nts.org.pk. No agent can guarantee selection; never pay anyone except the official fee.

Frequently Asked Questions#

What are the passing marks in an NTS job test? The usual passing mark is 50%. The hiring department sets the exact mark in its advertisement. It can be higher than 50%. Passing only qualifies you for the merit list.

Is there negative marking in NTS? No, there is no negative marking on NAT and GAT General. A wrong answer scores zero, the same as a blank answer, so attempt every question.

When is the NTS answer key released? NTS uploads the answer key within 24 to 48 hours of the test. You pick your test and booklet colour on nts.org.pk and download the PDF key. The result follows about 8 days after the test.

How many MCQs are in an NTS job test? There is no fixed number. The hiring department sets the number in its advertisement. The exact count and time are printed on your roll number slip.

The NTS jobs page lists the live openings that use NTS tests. Read the advert for your own post before you start preparing.