Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced that the National Skill Competency Test for information technology students will be held on April 4 and 5, 2026, across the country.
The computer-based assessment aims to evaluate the technical skills of students enrolled in computing-related degree programmes and help align university training with the needs of the technology industry.
According to HEC, the initiative is designed to provide a clearer picture of the skills of graduating students and to help employers identify potential talent.
Initiative launched on PM’s direction
HEC said the test has been developed following directions from the prime minister.
It is being organised 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).
Officials say the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s digital workforce and improve links between universities and the technology sector.
Who can take the test?
Students currently studying in the seventh and eighth semesters of computing programmes will be eligible to sit for the exam.
The programmes covered include:
- Computer science
- Software engineering
- Artificial intelligence
- Data science
- Other related computing fields
Participation in the test will be free of charge for eligible students.
Certification, opportunities for successful candidates
Students who perform well in the assessment will receive a joint certificate issued by HEC, PSEB, and P@SHA.
They will also be added to a national talent pool that employers in Pakistan and abroad can access when recruiting.
In addition, successful candidates will receive one academic credit from their universities and may be given priority for internships, apprenticeships, and pathways leading to international certifications.
Universities asked to ensure student participation
HEC has asked higher education institutions to ensure that eligible students register for the test.
The results will also be used for national benchmarking of universities.
Institutions will be placed in different performance categories based on the results achieved by their students.
HEC warned that universities failing to facilitate student registration may be placed below the lowest performance category in national rankings.
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