HEC changes university entry test rules for MPhil and PhD admissions

The Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC) has introduced a major change in the country’s graduate admission system. Under the new policy, universities will no longer be allowed to conduct their own entry tests for MPhil and PhD admissions.

The revised policy will apply to Level-VII and Level-VIII programmes from Fall 2026 onward. Students seeking admission to MS, MPhil and PhD programmes will now have to appear only in GRE/HAT General and relevant subject tests conducted by HEC’s Education Testing Council.

The commission officially issued a notification confirming the policy shift across all higher education institutions. HEC Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmed also confirmed that the new admission system will be implemented from Fall 2026.

According to the notification, universities will not be allowed to hold separate admission tests as alternatives to GRE or HAT examinations. The HEC said the decision was taken to improve transparency, merit and uniformity in graduate admissions across Pakistan.

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The commission reviewed the existing admission system under the Graduate Education Policy 2023 before making the decision. Officials concluded that a standardised national-level testing system was necessary to ensure fair admissions for all students.

Several provisions of the Graduate Education Policy 2023 have now been withdrawn with immediate effect. Universities will no longer conduct separate “rigorous admission tests” that previously required at least 50% marks for MPhil admissions.

The provision allowing universities to conduct GRE or HAT-equivalent tests for PhD admissions with a minimum 60% passing score has also been abolished. From now onward, only HEC-approved ETC tests will be accepted for admissions.

The HEC directed all universities and higher education institutions to strictly follow the revised policy from Fall 2026 admissions. The notification added that the policy was approved by the competent authority before implementation.

Many students and education experts believe the decision could completely reshape graduate admissions in Pakistan. Some see it as a positive move for merit and transparency, while others fear it may increase pressure on students preparing for centralised tests.

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The new HEC policy may create one standard system for MPhil and PhD admissions across Pakistan. However, students may now face tougher competition because everyone will depend on the same national-level tests.