NUST Entry Test (NET) 2026
Complete guide for NUST undergraduate admissions, NET pattern, eligibility, merit criteria, important dates, and preparation support.
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What Is NUST NET?
NUST conducts the National Entry Test, commonly called NET, for undergraduate admissions in engineering, computing, applied sciences, business, social sciences, architecture, natural sciences, and other programmes.
Candidates can apply through NET basis, ACT/SAT basis, text-slate-600, international seats, or both NET and ACT/SAT if eligible.
NET is based on SSC and HSSC level studies. The English section follows a SAT-style pattern.
Admission Snapshot
Entry Routes to NUST
NET Basis
Admission through NUST Entry Test.
ACT/SAT Basis — National Seats
Pakistani candidates can apply on specific ACT/SAT-based seats.
ACT/SAT Basis — International Seats
Eligible international or overseas category candidates can apply on international seats.
Both NET and ACT/SAT
Candidates may apply through both routes if eligible to maximize admission chances.
NET 2026 Schedule
| Series | Online Registration | CBNET (Computer Based) | PBNET (Paper Based) | Test Centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series-1 | 5 Oct – 25 Nov 2025 | 22 Nov – 10 Dec 2025 | — | Islamabad |
| Series-2 | 14 Dec 2025 – 1 Feb 2026 | 31 Jan – 15 Feb 2026 Islamabad; 25 – 26 Mar 2026 Quetta | 13 – 15 Feb 2026 Karachi | Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi |
| Series-3 | 22 Feb – 5 Apr 2026 | 4 Apr – 2 May 2026 | — | Islamabad |
| Series-4 | 26 Apr – 13 Jun 2026 | 13 Jun 2026 onwards Islamabad; 25 – 27 Jul 2026 Quetta | 18 – 22 Jul 2026 Karachi; 18 – 20 Jul 2026 Gilgit | Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi, Gilgit |
NET Test Format
Overview Specifications
Test Modes & Centres
CBNET Session Timings
Merit Criteria
NET-Based Admission
ACT/SAT-Based Admission — National Seats
ACT/SAT-Based Admission — International Seats
Important Merit Notes
- Candidates can appear in NET more than once.
- Best NET score is considered for admission.
- In any one NET series, only one attempt is allowed for a particular discipline.
- NET result remains valid for the current admission cycle only.
- O/A-Level candidates require IBCC equivalence.
- Minimum 60% marks are required in SSC and HSSC/equivalent exams.
NET Paper Types & Weightage
NET-Engineering
Engineering programmes, computing programmes, BS Bioinformatics, BS Mathematics, BS Physics, BS Chemistry, BS Food Science & Technology where eligible.
NET-Applied Sciences
BS Biotechnology, BS Environmental Science, BS Agriculture, BS Food Science & Technology, BS Bioinformatics, BS Chemistry, Pre-Medical background candidates.
NET-Business Studies & Social Sciences
BBA, BS Public Administration, BS Mass Communication, BS Economics, BS Psychology, BS Accounting & Finance, LLB, BS Tourism and Hospitality Management, BS Liberal Arts & Humanities.
NET-Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Industrial Design.
NET-Natural Sciences
BS Mathematics, BS Physics, BS Chemistry according to eligibility criteria.
Academic Background Definitions
Pre-Engineering
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
Pre-Medical
Biology, Physics and Chemistry
ICS / Computer Science
Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science
General Eligibility
- SSC / Matric / O-Level / Equivalent: Minimum 60% aggregate marks
- HSSC / FSc / A-Level / DAE / Equivalent: Minimum 60% aggregate marks
- FA/FSc Candidates: Can apply for NET on the basis of FA/FSc Part-I
- Non-FSc Candidates: Must have IBCC equivalence in relevant group/subjects with minimum 60% marks
- O/A-Level Candidates: Can apply on O-Level equivalence, but admission confirmation requires A-Level equivalence with required group/subjects and percentage
- Medical Fitness: Selected candidates must provide medical certificate at the time of joining
- Language of Instruction: Bachelor programmes at NUST are taught in English
Programme-Specific Eligibility
Engineering
SSC Science group and HSSC Pre-Engineering, Computer Science, Pre-Medical, Pre-Medical with Additional Mathematics, or equivalent eligible background.
Computing
Pre-Engineering, Computer Science, Pre-Medical, or HSSC/equivalent with Mathematics as one mandatory subject where required.
Applied Sciences
Pre-Medical background for Biotechnology, Environmental Science and Agriculture.
Food Science & Technology
Pre-Engineering or Pre-Medical background.
Business Studies / Social Sciences
Any HSSC/equivalent subject combination.
LLB
Any HSSC/equivalent combination with valid HEC LAT score and minimum 50% marks.
Accounting & Finance
Mathematics, Accounting and Finance, or Accountancy as mandatory subject.
Architecture / Industrial Design
Mathematics and Physics required.
Pre-Medical & ICS Transition to Engineering / Computing
- Pre-Medical students applying for Engineering without Additional Mathematics must appear in NET-Engineering and clear the NUST online self-paced Mathematics course.
- Mathematics Course Duration: 8 weeks
- Course Requirement for Fall 2026: Complete before 15 July 2026
- Minimum Marks Required in Mathematics Course: 60%
- Pre-Medical students admitted to Computing without Additional Mathematics must clear deficient Mathematics courses of 6 credit hours within one year.
- ICS candidates applying to Engineering are eligible with Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, with condition to clear Chemistry as remedial course in first semester after admission.
Programmes Offered
Choose from a wide variety of undergraduate degrees offered across NUST campuses.
Engineering Programmes
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
- Avionics Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- BE Information Security
- Geoinformatics Engineering
- Energy Engineering
Computing Programmes
- BS Computer Science
- BS Data Science
- BS Bioinformatics
- BS Artificial Intelligence
Business Studies & Social Sciences / LLB
- BBA
- BS Accounting & Finance
- BS Tourism and Hospitality Management
- BS Economics
- BS Mass Communication
- BS Psychology
- BS Liberal Arts & Humanities
- Bachelor of Public Administration
- LLB
Architecture & Industrial Design
- Bachelor of Architecture
- Bachelor of Industrial Design
Natural Sciences
- BS Mathematics
- BS Physics
- BS Chemistry
Applied Sciences
- BS Biotechnology
- BS Food Science and Technology
- BS Agriculture
- BS Environmental Science
New / Updated Programmes for Fall 2026
ACT / SAT Basis Admission
Key Details
Important Rules & Notes
- ACT scores must reach NUST directly from ACT, USA.
- SAT scores must reach NUST directly from College Board, USA.
- Scores received after the deadline are not entertained.
- For National seats, ACT/SAT score is used in place of NET weightage.
- For International seats, ACT/SAT score has 100% weightage.
- International students require TOEFL 500 or IELTS 5.5, except students whose medium of instruction is English at HSSC level.
- Candidates selected on International seats cannot be converted to National seats.
- International candidates cannot apply for Aerospace and Avionics Engineering programmes offered at CAE Risalpur.
Application Processing Fee
NET Processing Fee
ACT / SAT Processing Fee
Fee Guidelines & Exemptions
- Application processing fee is neither refundable nor transferable.
- Processing fee remains valid only for the series for which it has been paid.
- First, second and third position holders in HSSC exams of different BISEs are exempted from NET application processing fee after valid proof.
How to Apply for NET
Documents Required
NET Result Timeline
Computer Based NET Result
Uploaded within 24 hours
Paper Based NET Result
Uploaded within 5 to 7 working days
Result Access
Candidate can view result by logging into UG admission account.
General Preparation Rules
- NET is compiled from textbooks prescribed for HSSC courses.
- NET is based on SSC / HSSC level studies.
- Candidates are advised to consult relevant textbooks of various boards of education.
- English paper is on SAT pattern.
- NUST does not conduct entry-test preparation activities.
- NUST does not provide entry-test preparation material in electronic or printed format.
- NUST does not sponsor any preparatory academy, organisation or individual.
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