Higher Education Commission (HEC) Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law-GAT) 2026

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), through its Education Testing Council (ETC), has announced the Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law-GAT) for 2026. This assessment is mandatory for all law graduates seeking enrollment to the Bar as an Advocate in Pakistan. Candidates who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Law from HEC/PBC recognized local or foreign universities are eligible to apply. The registration portal is open until November 29, 2026, and the test is tentatively scheduled for December 20, 2026. Aspiring advocates are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and application process carefully.

Test Overview

Who Can Apply for Law-GAT?

Candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Law-GAT:

• Those who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Law or an equivalent qualification.
• The degree must be from a local or foreign university recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC).

Curriculum and Test Pattern

The Law-GAT is designed to assess the fundamental legal knowledge of graduates. The test structure is as follows:

• Revised Curriculum: The updated curriculum for Law-GAT can be downloaded from the official HEC website: https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/etc/Documents/Curriculum-LAW-GAT-test.pdf.
• Test Format: The test will consist entirely of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

Qualifying Score

To pass the Law-GAT, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 50 out of 100. This score will be considered a qualifying mark for eligibility to enroll as an advocate.

Test Schedule

The key dates for the upcoming Law-GAT are:

• Registration Portal Open Till: Sunday, November 29, 2026, 24:00 hours.
• Tentative Test Date: Sunday, December 20, 2026.

Any changes to the test date will be notified through the official HEC websites: http://hec.gov.pk and http://etc.hec.gov.pk. ETC conducts Law-GAT on a quarterly basis in major cities across Pakistan. For future test dates, candidates should refer to the Test Calendar 2027 on the ETC website.

Other Requirements and Conditions

• A 50% score is required to pass the test.
• Applicants must meet other criteria, if any, as per the Rules and Regulations of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) to enroll to the Bar.
• Applicants have a maximum of seven (07) chances to pass the test.

Important Note

Mobile phones or any electronic devices such as calculating devices, recording devices, communication devices, or imaging electronic devices are NOT ALLOWED inside the test centre. Furthermore, taking, uploading, or sharing images of the question book is strictly prohibited and constitutes an offence liable to punishment as per the ETC policy.

Last Date for Online Registration and Test Date

The final date for online registration for the Law-GAT is November 29, 2026. The Law-GAT will be held on December 20, 2026.

Contact Information

For any assistance, candidates can contact the HEC helpline:

• Helpline: 0334-111-9432 and 051-111-119-432
• Website: https://www.etc.hec.gov.pk

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