HEC Delays Mandatory GRE And HAT Requirement For MPhil, PhD Admissions Until 2027
- HEC has postponed the implementation of mandatory GRE and HAT requirements for MPhil and PhD admissions by one year.
- The new admission policy will now take effect from Fall 2027.
- Universities have been given additional time to prepare for the revised admission framework.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has delayed the implementation of its new admission policy for MPhil and PhD programmes, providing universities and prospective students with an additional year to adjust to the proposed changes.
According to an official notification, the HEC has postponed its decision to make the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) mandatory requirements for admission to MPhil and PhD programmes across the country.
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The revised timeline means that the new admission criteria will now come into effect from the Fall 2027 academic session instead of being implemented earlier as planned.
Officials said the decision was taken to allow universities more time to prepare for the new admission system and make the necessary academic and administrative arrangements before the policy becomes fully operational.
Under the proposed framework, students seeking admission to MPhil and PhD programmes will eventually be required to meet standardized testing requirements through GRE, HAT or other approved examinations as determined by the HEC.
The commission believes that introducing standardized admission assessments will help improve the quality of postgraduate education, create a more uniform admission process and strengthen academic standards across higher education institutions.
However, the delayed implementation means that universities will continue to follow existing admission policies and eligibility criteria for the upcoming academic sessions until the new rules become effective.
The HEC has formally notified universities about the revised timeline and advised institutions to utilize the additional period to prepare for the transition to the new admission mechanism.
The latest decision is expected to provide relief to students planning to apply for MPhil and PhD programmes in the near future, while giving universities additional flexibility to align their admission procedures with the forthcoming policy requirements.
Education experts say the delay will allow both institutions and applicants to better understand the new testing requirements and ensure a smoother implementation when the policy takes effect in Fall 2027.
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