The HAT October 2026 result is expected on 16 November 2026. Here is how to check it, what your score means, and what your next step should be — whether you pass or not.
HAT October 2026 result date
| What | Date |
|---|---|
| HAT test day | Sunday 25 October 2026 |
| Result expected | Around 16 November 2026 (tentative) |
| Answer key | Around the same time as result |
HEC marks these dates as tentative. The result can come a day or two before or after. Keep checking the ETC portal from 14 November onwards.
How to check your HAT result
- Go to etc.hec.gov.pk and log in with your registered email and password.
- Open your HAT application from the dashboard.
- Your result and score will show on the application page.
- You can also download a result card from there.
HEC also posts an official announcement on their website when the result is out. You can check: hec.gov.pk → Services → ETC → Announcements.
What does your score mean?
HAT is out of 100. Here is what different score ranges mean for you:
| Score | What it means |
|---|---|
| 60 or above | Eligible for MS, MPhil and PhD. Also meets Commonwealth Scholarship requirement. |
| 50 to 59 | Eligible for MS and MPhil. Not enough for PhD or Commonwealth Scholarship. |
| Below 50 | Below the minimum for MS and MPhil. You need to retake. |
These are the HEC minimum requirements from the Graduate Education Policy 2023. Individual universities may set higher requirements. Always check with your specific university.
HEC also releases the answer key
HEC usually puts the answer key on the ETC announcements page at the same time as the result. If you think any answer is wrong, you can review it against the key. HEC sometimes takes objections. The announcement page will say if they are accepting objections and how to submit one.
What to do after you get your result
If you passed (50 or above for MS/MPhil, 60 or above for PhD):
- Download your result card from the ETC portal and save it.
- Check university admission deadlines. Some universities close MS applications in November or December.
- Your HAT result is valid for 2 years, so you have time, but start applying to universities now.
- Read our guide on MS and MPhil admission with a HAT score for the full process.
If you did not pass (below 50):
- Do not worry. Many students retake HAT 1 or 2 times.
- The next HAT is on 13 December 2026. Registration is from 8 to 22 November 2026.
- See our HAT retake guide for what to work on.
HAT result for the August 2026 test
If you took the HAT on 30 August 2026, that result is already out. You can check it the same way on the ETC portal. The result for the Overseas Scholarship HAT held on 19 September 2026 is also out.
Common questions
When will the HAT October 2026 result come out?
HEC has given 16 November 2026 as the tentative result date for the HAT held on 25 October 2026. It may come a day or two earlier or later.
How do I check my HAT result?
Log in to etc.hec.gov.pk with your registered account. Open your HAT application and the result will show there. HEC also announces results on hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/etc/Pages/Announcements.aspx.
What is a good HAT score?
For MS and MPhil, you need at least 50 out of 100. For PhD, you need at least 60. For the Commonwealth Scholarship, you also need 60. A score above 70 is considered strong for competitive university admissions.
Does HEC also release the answer key?
Yes. HEC usually releases the answer key around the same time as the result. You can find it on the ETC announcements page.
How long is my HAT result valid?
Your HAT result is valid for 2 years from the date of the test.
What if I am not happy with my score? Can I retake HAT?
Yes. You can retake HAT as many times as you want. The next HAT is on 13 December 2026. Registration opens on 8 November 2026.