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NBT
National Benchmark Tests
📝 Academic Entrance Examination Paper-based and Online ⏱ Valid: 3 years Since 2008 ⚡ Moderate to High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
0 to 100 percent
Exam Fee
$16
Duration
6 hours (3 hours per session)
Questions
210 (150 for AQL and 60 for MAT)
Score Valid
3 years
Frequency
Multiple dates per year, typically on weekends.
Accepted By
26
Pass Rate
Not applicable; results are categorized by performance benchmarks.
Difficulty
Moderate to High
📝 Register for NBT 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

NBT (National Benchmark Tests) is a academic entrance examination conducted by Centre for Educational Testing for Access and Placement (CETAP). Scores range from 0 to 100 percent, valid for 3 years, with a total duration of 6 hours (3 hours per session). Accepted by 26, the exam fee is $16, with moderate to high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
0 to 100 percent
⏱
Duration
6 hours (3 hours per session)
💳
Fee
$16
📅
Valid For
3 years
🖥
Mode
Paper-based and Online
🌍
Accepted By
26
🗓
Frequency
Multiple dates per year, typically on weekends.
🏛
Conducted By
Centre for Educational Testing for Access and Placement (CETAP)
❓
Total Qs
210 (150 for AQL and 60 for MAT)
📑
Sections
Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, Mathematics
⚡
Difficulty
Moderate to High
📊
Pass Rate
Not applicable; results are categorized by performance benchmarks.
Assessing the academic readiness of first-year university students.
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
Grade 12 learners or high school graduates applying for undergraduate admission to South African universities.
🎓 Education Level
Undergraduate University Admission
🌍 Accepted In
South Africa
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Language / Medium
English, Afrikaans
Total Duration
6 hours (3 hours per session)
Retake Policy
Students may write twice per academic cycle, though universities may differ on which result they accept.
Total Questions
210 (150 for AQL and 60 for MAT)
Sections
Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, Mathematics
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
180 minutes for AQL (AL and QL combined), 180 minutes for MAT.
Negative Marking
No
Calculator Allowed
No
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
Yes
Home Edition
Yes
Digital vs Paper
The online version requires a secure lockdown browser and a webcam, while the paper version is written in traditional exam halls.
📑 Section Details
Academic Literacy tests reading and logic; Quantitative Literacy tests applied math in context; Mathematics tests the school curriculum.
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
0 to 100 percent
Good / Passing Score
Varies by university; 64 percent is generally considered proficient.
How Scoring Works
Scoring is calculated as a percentage for each section based on Item Response Theory (IRT) models.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
38 percent for Basic, 64 percent for Proficient.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Not specified
Speaking
Not specified
Listening
Not specified
Reading
Not specified
Grammar
Not specified
Vocabulary
Not specified
Analytical
Included in Quantitative Literacy score.
Quantitative
Reported separately as QL percentage.
Verbal
Reported separately as AL percentage.
Subject
Reported separately as MAT percentage.
All Sub-Scores
Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, Mathematics
📈 Avg First Attempt
55 percent
🔼 Score Improvement
10 percent
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$16
See all ▾
16
Fee (INR)
₹1350
See all ▾
1350
Other
R145 for AQL only; R290 for both AQL and MAT.
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
Minimum 3 weeks before the chosen test date.
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Allowed with an additional administrative fee if changed before the registration closing date.
❌ Cancellation Policy
Registration fees are non-refundable, but sessions can be moved to different dates for a fee.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Not applicable
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Not applicable
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
Multiple dates per year, typically on weekends.
📊 Results Declared
Approximately 4 weeks after the test date.
🔄 Retake Policy
Students may write twice per academic cycle, though universities may differ on which result they accept.
⏰ Register By
Minimum 3 weeks before the chosen test date.
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
No
🎓 Education Required
Current Grade 12 enrollment or high school completion (Matric).
🛂 Citizenship
No
📍 Test Centers
100
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Provisions for students with disabilities including extra time or braille versions with prior application.
🔀 Special Versions
English and Afrikaans standard versions.
📐 Subject Variants
AQL (Academic and Quantitative Literacy) and MAT (Mathematics).
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Application for accommodations must be submitted several weeks in advance with medical documentation.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
South African ID or Passport, registration letter, two 2B pencils, and an eraser.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches, food, and personal scrap paper.
📋 Exam Day Rules
No electronic devices, arrive 30 minutes early, bring a physical ID and registration letter.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
Scores are posted to the learner's profile approximately 4 weeks after the exam.
📤 Score Sending
Automatic electronic delivery to the South African universities chosen during registration.
🎓 Score Recipients
Admissions offices of South African public universities.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
1 to 3 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
2 months
Preparation involves reviewing high school curriculum concepts and practicing academic literacy skills. There are no official past papers released, so students use exemplars.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Focus on time management in the AQL section and practice mental math because calculators are not permitted. Read the passages carefully for contextual clues in the Academic Literacy part.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
Spend two months reviewing core Mathematics (CAPS curriculum) and practicing speed reading. Take timed mock tests from reputable third-party providers to simulate the environment.
📖 Recommended Books
NBT Preparation Guides by Advantage Learn or Purple Pepper Maths series.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Advantage Learn NBT Prep, Purple Pepper Maths Workshops, and university-sponsored bootcamps.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
Siyavula, various South African matric revision apps.
✅ Official Practice Tests
A limited number of exemplars are provided for free on the official site.
🆓 Free Online Resources
Official NBT exemplars on the website, Siyavula Mathematics resources, and various university readiness brochures.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Managing time poorly on the AQL section and attempting to bring a calculator which is strictly prohibited. Forgetting to bring the printed registration letter to the venue.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
In the Quantitative Literacy section, focus on understanding the data in tables and graphs quickly. For the MAT section, memorize core formulas as they are not provided.
⭐ Unique Features
Strict prohibition of calculators and availability in both English and Afrikaans to accommodate national languages.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
Highly significant for competitive programs like Medicine, Law, and Engineering, often used as a tie-breaker.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
The NBT is specifically designed for the South African higher education context but is taken by international applicants to SA universities.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
Similar to the SAT but aligned with the South African school curriculum and focuses on readiness for local university environments.
🆕 Recent Changes
Expansion of the online testing platform and enhanced security features for home-based writing.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
Further integration of the testing platform with university application systems for real-time data transfer.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: NBT scores replace your Matric results. Fact: NBT scores are supplementary and used for placement and admission alongside Matric results.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Do not leave any questions blank as there is no negative marking; make an educated guess if you are unsure.
🏆 Success Stories
Students who took workshops saw significant jumps in their Quantitative Literacy scores, moving from Intermediate to Proficient categories.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Check results online after 4 weeks and verify that the universities you applied to have received them.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Used for scholarship eligibility and determining whether students need to take additional foundation courses.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the NBT score valid?+
The NBT score is valid for 3 years.
How much does the NBT cost?+
The exam fee is $16 (approximately ₹1350 in India).
How often can I retake the NBT?+
Students may write twice per academic cycle, though universities may differ on which result they accept.
When are NBT results declared?+
Approximately 4 weeks after the test date.
Which universities accept the NBT?+
NBT is accepted by 26.
Is a calculator allowed in the NBT?+
No
How should I prepare for the NBT?+
Preparation involves reviewing high school curriculum concepts and practicing academic literacy skills. There are no official past papers released, so students use exemplars.
📝
Register for NBT
Assessing the academic readiness of first-year university students.
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByCentre for Educational Testing for Access and Placement (CETAP)
Year Started2008
CategoryAcademic Entrance Examination
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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