General Courses
PhD Entry Test Preparation
Preparation (on campus or online) for PhD entry tests (GAT/GRE-based and university tests): reasoning, research aptitude and subject review.
About this course
A 3-month course, on campus or online, for PhD admission tests in Pakistan, including HEC/NTS GAT-style tests, GRE-based departmental tests and university entry tests, followed by guidance for the research interview.
Under the HEC PhD policy, universities admit candidates through GAT (General/Subject), another approved test or their own test of an equivalent level. Check the requirements of the university you are applying to.
What you'll achieve
- Reach the 60% qualifying score in the general (Part A) test
- Revise research methodology and statistics for the subject test
- Write a sound research proposal
- Present your proposal confidently at the interview
Requirements
16 years of education (4-year BS or equivalent) or an MS/MPhil, with a CGPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 or first division, as per the HEC PhD policy. Final-semester students may join to prepare in advance.
- Week1
Orientation and diagnostic test: HAT/GAT and university test patterns, and a study plan
- Week2
Verbal I: vocabulary, analogies and antonyms
- Week3
Verbal II: sentence completion, sentence correction and reading comprehension
- Week4
Analytical I: logical puzzles, arrangements and statement–conclusion
- Week5
Analytical II: critical reasoning, arguments and assumptions
- Week6
Quantitative I: arithmetic, percentages, ratios and averages; mid-course mock test
- Week7
Quantitative II: algebra, equations, geometry and data interpretation
- Week8
Research methodology: research problem, design, sampling and data collection
- Week9
Statistics for research: descriptive and inferential statistics and reading results
- Week10
Research proposal: topic, literature review, objectives, methodology and referencing
- Week11
Subject review and interview: core concepts of your discipline and presenting your proposal
- Week12
Final revision: guess papers and two full-length timed mock tests and a mock interview
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Part A, general test | 100 marks — Verbal, Analytical and Quantitative Reasoning (GRE / HAT type) |
| Law, arts and social sciences (HAT) | Verbal 40% · Analytical 35% · Quantitative 25% (other disciplines use a different split) |
| Qualifying score | 60% |
| Part B and interview | subject test and research proposal / interview at many universities |
Format as per the latest HEC / university notice we found; always check the current notice before the test.