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HEC Launches National Skill Competency Test for IT Graduates

HEC has directed all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to ensure maximum student participation

By Arshad On Mar 4, 2026

Islamabad: (Web Desk) – Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the launch of the National Skill Competency Test for IT graduates, a major initiative aimed at aligning university education with the fast-changing requirements of the global technology industry.

The standardized assessment has been developed on the directives of the prime minister in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).

According to HEC, the test is designed to improve employability and market readiness of Pakistan’s growing IT workforce. It is open to students currently enrolled in their 7th and 8th semesters of computing-related programs, including Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and other relevant disciplines.

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Participation in the test will be free of cost. High-performing candidates will receive a joint certificate issued by HEC, PSEB, and P@SHA, and their profiles will be added to a national talent pool accessible to both local and international employers. Qualifying students will also be awarded one academic credit by their respective institutions and will gain priority access to internships, apprenticeships, and international certification opportunities.

HEC has directed all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to ensure maximum student participation, stating that test results will be used for national benchmarking. Universities will be placed into performance tiers based on their students’ results, reflecting how well their academic programs align with industry needs. Institutions that fail to facilitate student registration will be ranked below the lowest performance category in national assessments.

The computer-based test will be conducted simultaneously across Pakistan on April 4 and 5, 2026. Eligible students have been advised to contact the focal persons at their respective universities to complete the registration process in a timely manner.