HEC opens Law Admission Test registration; online applications due October 20

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) commenced registration for the Law Admission Test (LAT) 2026, with online applications remaining open until 20 October 2026. The LAT 2026 is tentatively scheduled to take place on 15 November 2026.

Students must undertake the LAT to enter four-year undergraduate LLB programmes at universities and institutions recognised by both the HEC and the Pakistan Bar Council. Eligibility for applicants requires possession of a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or equivalent qualification, meaning candidates must have completed twelve years of education.

Furthermore, candidates who successfully pass the LAT retain the option to retake the examination to enhance their scores for admission into public-sector universities. The examination structure comprises a total of 100 marks, with a minimum score of 50 marks needed for a passing grade.

The assessment is divided into several components: the essay section, which can be written in English or Urdu, accounts for 15 marks. A personal statement, also in English or Urdu, contributes 10 marks to the total score.

Marks allocation for multiple-choice questions includes 20 marks for English MCQs and 20 marks for General Knowledge MCQs. Additionally, the test includes sections for Islamic Studies MCQs (10 marks), Pakistan Studies MCQs (10 marks), Urdu MCQs (10 marks), and Mathematics MCQs (5 marks).

All applications must be submitted exclusively through the HEC Education Testing Council portal. Applicants must ensure they do not use the CNIC or personal details belonging to any other individual.

Candidates can download their roll number slips from the ETC portal, and these slips will be dispatched via email one week before the examination date. Test day attendance requires candidates to bring both a printed roll number slip and their original CNIC or passport.

For applicants under the age of eighteen, bringing the original B-Form or NADRA Juvenile Card alongside the original SSC or HSSC certificate is necessary. The HEC plans to administer the LAT across major cities throughout Pakistan, and the ETC conducts this test on a quarterly basis.

Test centres will strictly prohibit the use of mobile phones or any electronic devices during the examination.