ISLAMABAD – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the launch of the National Skill Competency Test for information technology graduates, a move aimed at evaluating technical skills and aligning academic training with industry needs. The initiative follows directives from the Prime Minister and has been developed in coordination with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
The test will be open to students in the seventh and eighth semesters of computing programs, including computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, and other related fields. Participation will be free of charge.
HEC officials said that students who perform well in the assessment will receive a joint certificate issued by HEC, PSEB, and P@SHA. Additionally, high-performing students will be included in a national talent pool accessible to employers both in Pakistan and abroad.
Successful candidates will also earn one academic credit from their respective universities and receive priority for internships, apprenticeships, and pathways leading to international certifications. The commission has instructed higher education institutions to ensure that all eligible students complete the registration process. Results from the test will serve as a benchmark for evaluating universities nationwide.
Institutions will be categorized based on their students’ performance, with poorly performing universities placed in lower tiers of national rankings. Universities that fail to facilitate registration for their students will be placed below the lowest performance category.
The computer-based assessment is scheduled to be conducted simultaneously across Pakistan on April 4 and 5, 2026. Eligible students have been advised to contact the designated focal person at their respective universities to complete registration.
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“This initiative will help bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, while also providing students with opportunities to showcase their skills to potential employers,” said a spokesperson from HEC.
Industry observers have welcomed the move, noting that it will provide a structured framework for evaluating IT talent and will help employers identify candidates who are best prepared to meet the demands of Pakistan’s growing technology sector.
With Pakistan increasingly focusing on expanding its digital economy, the National Skill Competency Test is seen as a key step toward producing a workforce that is both technically competent and industry-ready, ultimately enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global technology markets.
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