For MS and MPhil admission, the HAT passing score is 50%. For PhD admission it is 60%. Both come from the HEC Graduate Education Policy 2023. Some scholarships ask for more, like 60 for the Commonwealth Scholarship. Your HAT score is valid for 2 years.
HAT passing marks at a glance
| What you need HAT for | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| MS or MPhil admission (HEC policy) | 50% |
| PhD admission (HEC policy) | 60% |
| Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship | 50% |
| Commonwealth Scholarship (UK) | 60 out of 100 |
| HEC Overseas Scholarships | Best score is used, check each call |
Universities can set a higher score for their own merit. NUST, for example, says a HAT taken for scholarships is not accepted for its PhD admissions. Always read your university's own rules.
What about PhD?
The HEC Graduate Education Policy 2023 says a university must either run its own GRE or HAT General type test with a passing score of 60%, or accept such a test from an HEC accredited testing body, also at 60%. Many universities also ask for an interview or a subject test. So for PhD, the HAT is usually the first step, not the only one.
HAT validity: 2 years
HEC says a HAT score stays valid for 2 years. For scholarships, your score must still be valid on the closing date of the application. So if your score is from early 2025, check the date before you apply for anything in 2027.
What score should you aim for?
If you only need MS or MPhil admission, 50% is the line. But in my opinion you should aim for 60 or more, because 60 is also the PhD line. That one score then works for admission and for most scholarships too, so you will not need to take the test again.
The fastest way to move from 50 to 60 is to fix your weakest section. Do 1 full paper, look at which section gave you the lowest marks, and practice only that for a week. Our HAT test pattern guide shows which section has the most marks in your category.
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Common questions
What are the HAT passing marks for MS and MPhil?
The HEC Graduate Education Policy asks universities to accept HAT with a passing score of 50% for MS and MPhil admission.
What are the HAT passing marks for PhD?
The HEC Graduate Education Policy 2023 asks for 60% in a GRE or HAT General type test for PhD admission.
What HAT score is needed for scholarships?
It depends on the scholarship. The Commonwealth Scholarship asks for 60 out of 100, and the Stipendium Hungaricum asks for 50%.
How long is the HAT score valid?
HEC says the HAT score is valid for 2 years.
Can I retake HAT to improve my score?
Yes. HEC holds HAT several times a year. For HEC overseas scholarships, HEC says the best score will be considered.