Getting a low score in HAT does not mean you cannot do MS or MPhil. Most students improve by 10 to 20 marks in the retake with the right plan. Here is exactly what to do.
First: find out where you lost marks
HAT has 3 main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. When your result comes out, look at your section scores if HEC provides them, or think back to which section felt hardest. That is where you start.
Most students who score below 50 have 1 or 2 weak sections pulling them down. Fixing those 1 or 2 sections is usually enough to pass.
How to improve each section
Verbal Reasoning (vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence completion)
This section takes time to improve but the gains are real. Here is what works:
- Learn 10 new words every day. Focus on words that often appear in academic or formal writing. Our HAT vocabulary list is a good starting point.
- Read 1 English newspaper article every day. Dawn or The News both work. Do not just read — after each article, ask yourself what the main point was.
- Practice reading comprehension questions with a timer. You have very little time per question in HAT. Speed matters.
Analytical Reasoning (logic, sequences, patterns, arguments)
This section is about thinking clearly under time pressure. Practice is the only way to improve here.
- Do 10 analytical questions every day. Time yourself. If you spend more than 90 seconds on one question, skip it and come back.
- After practice, review every wrong answer and understand why you got it wrong. Do not just note the right answer.
- See our HAT analytical reasoning tips for a section breakdown.
Quantitative Reasoning (maths, percentages, ratios, basic statistics)
This section improves fastest. Most of the maths in HAT is secondary school level.
- List the topics you feel weak in: percentages, ratios, algebra, statistics, geometry.
- Spend 30 minutes per day on just those topics. Do not practice what you already know.
- After 2 weeks, move to full mixed practice papers with a timer.
A 4-week plan for the December retake
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 (8–14 Nov) | Identify weak sections. Do 20 questions per section without a timer. Find patterns in your mistakes. |
| Week 2 (15–21 Nov) | Target your 2 weakest sections. 45 min per section per day, with a timer. |
| Week 3 (22–28 Nov) | Do full mixed practice papers under timed conditions. Review every wrong answer. |
| Week 4 (29 Nov–12 Dec) | 2 full HAT papers per day. Last 2 days: light review only, rest well. |
Common mistakes students make when retaking
- Studying the same way as before. If your method did not work the first time, change it. More of the same will give you the same result.
- Practicing without a timer. HAT is a speed test. You can know all the answers but still fail if you are too slow. Always use a timer.
- Skipping hard questions instead of guessing. There is no negative marking in HAT. Never leave a question blank. Guess if you have to.
- Focusing on notes instead of questions. Reading notes feels like studying but it does not prepare you for HAT. Questions train you. Do as many as you can.
When to register for the December retake
Registration for the HAT December 2026 opens on 8 November 2026 and closes on 22 November 2026. Register on 8 November itself. Do not wait until the last week — the portal sometimes slows down near the deadline.
What score do you actually need?
The HEC minimum is 50 for MS/MPhil and 60 for PhD. But many good universities set higher cutoffs. Ask your target university directly what HAT score they want. Some departments have a minimum of 55 or 60 even for MS. Know your target before you register.
Common questions
I failed the HAT. Can I retake it?
Yes. You can take HAT as many times as you want. There is no limit. The next HAT is on 13 December 2026. Registration opens 8 November 2026.
How long do I need to prepare for a HAT retake?
4 to 6 weeks of daily practice is enough for most students to see a 10 to 15 mark improvement. The key is timed practice, not just reading notes.
Which section of HAT is hardest to improve?
Most students find verbal reasoning and analytical reasoning harder to improve quickly. Quantitative reasoning improves fastest with daily practice. Focus on your weakest section first.
What is the HAT passing mark for MS?
50 out of 100 for MS and MPhil. 60 out of 100 for PhD. Check with your specific university as they may require more.
Does my new HAT score replace the old one?
No. Each result is separate. Universities usually look at your highest or most recent score. Ask your target university which score they use.