Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, through its Education Testing Council (ETC), has made significant progress in establishing the Higher Education Aptitude and Achievement Test (HAAT) as the national standardized admission test for PhD programmes. During the first phase of the Subject Committee Meeting, assessment designs for 48 PhD disciplines were finalized.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the ETC began work on the HAAT in May 2026, collaborating closely with subject matter experts from 48 subject committees to develop discipline-specific test designs and Tables of Specifications. This effort culminated in the approval of these designs during the meeting held on November 5, 2026, marking the completion of the first phase of HAAT development.

The meeting, attended by over 250 participants including subject matter specialists, Vice Chancellors, senior academicians, and ETC technical specialists from 81 public and private universities, was inaugurated by Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar. Dr. Akhtar emphasized the necessity of a standardized, transparent, and merit-based assessment framework for PhD admissions to identify and nurture research talent nationwide.

CEO ETC Dr. Muhammad Imtiaz Haider outlined the HAAT programme and its objectives, noting that subject committees have been formed for 89 disciplines to develop the test, which will be mandatory for PhD admissions across Pakistan. International assessment expert Dr. Arnold J. Brouwer also contributed insights on the importance of standardized testing for graduate admissions.

The technical sessions involved detailed discussions on the proposed test designs and Tables of Specifications, focusing on academic relevance and alignment with graduate-level education requirements. The approved designs and specifications were signed by the committees, paving the way for a standardized assessment system in the country.

The meeting concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, reflecting HEC-ETC’s commitment to establishing uniform assessment standards and fostering academic collaboration. Vice Chancellors and senior officers from participating universities pledged their support for the successful implementation of HAAT across Pakistan.