Planning Your Year as an ECAT Student in Pakistan

Embarking on your journey as an ECAT student is both exciting and challenging. ECAT is an umbrella term used to describe engineering entry tests for multiple universities across Pakistan. In reality, each university has its own test, including NUST, UET, FAST, GIKI, NED, Mehran, Dawood, COMSATS and others. This guide will take you step-by-step through the timeline of these tests, from registration to the exam day, while highlighting how Maqsad can support your preparation at each stage.

To hear our Maqsad ECAT counselors explain this journey and answer student queries, join this live session.

A Year in the Life of an ECAT Student

Let’s break down what your year will look like:

• October 2024
  • Registration for NUST NET-1
  • NTS NAT
• November 2024
  • NET-1 Test (Islamabad)
  • NTS NAT
• December 2024
  • NET-1 test
  • NTS NAT
  • NET-2 Registration
• January 2025
  • NET-2 Registration
  • NTS NAT
• February 2025
  • NET-2 Registration
  • NET-2 Test (Islamabad)
  • NET-3 Registration
  • UET-1 Registration
  • NTS NAT
• March 2025
  • UET-1 Registration
  • UET-1 Test
  • NET-2 (Karachi, Quetta)
  • NET-3 Registration
  • NET-3 Test (Islamabad)
  • NTS NAT
• April 2025
  • NET-3 Test (Islamabad)
  • NED-1 Registration
  • UET-2 Registration
  • NTS NAT
  • GIKI Registration
• May 2025
  • NED-1 Test
  • UET-2 Test
  • GIKI Registration
  • NTS NAT
• June 2025
  • FAST Registration
  • COMSATS Registration
  • NED-2 Registration
  • Mehran Registration
  • PIEAS Registration
  • Mehran Test
  • NTS NAT
• July 2025
  • NED-2 Test
  • FAST Test
  • GIKI Test
  • COMSATS Test
  • PIEAS Test
  • Dawood Registration
• August 2025
  • Dawood Test
  • Admission processes
  • Classes start

Important Information about Top Universities

In this section, we will provide you with some important information about top universities of Pakistan, including the undergraduate programs on offer, campus locations and important dates.

NUST Entry Test (NET) Journey

NUST Entry Test Registration and Exam Dates

The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) holds its entry test, known as NET, in 4 rounds each year. Here's how the timeline for NET looks in 2025:

Programs and Campuses

NUST offers the following engineering programs in the given campuses.

NUST offers the following computing programs in the given campuses.

NUST's engineering and computer science programs are competitive, and with each round of tests, students aim to improve their scores. This is where Maqsad plays a vital role by offering tailored preparation plans and online mock tests to help students succeed in their first or subsequent rounds.

For more information about NUST admissions, see this article.

FAST University Entry Test

FAST Registration Dates and Test Pattern

FAST-NUCES, renowned for its computer science and engineering programs, conducts its entrance test once annually.

• FAST Registration: May - June 2025
• Test Date: July 2025

FAST Programs and Campuses

FAST has multiple campuses across Pakistan in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Chiniot-Faisalabad. The university offers a multitude of undergraduate program in each of these campuses. A full list is given below.

Maqsad can assist by providing detailed study plans and subject-specific quizzes for FAST’s entrance exam, focusing on critical topics like mathematics, and analytical reasoning.

To find our more details about FAST-NUCES admissions, see this article.

UET Lahore Entry Test (ECAT)

UET Registration and Test Dates

The University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore conducts two rounds of its ECAT test, one of the most widely recognized engineering entrance exams. Tentative dates for registration and tests are given below.

Programs and Campuses

UET Lahore has five campuses, that offer the following programs.

• UET Lahore Main Campus
  • Architecture Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • City and Regional Planning
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Geological Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronics and Control Engineering
  • Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
  • Mining Engineering
  • Petroleum and Gas Engineering
  • Physics
  • Polymer Engineering
  • Product and Industrial Design
  • Transportation Engineering
• UET New Campus (KSK)
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Energy Systems and Management
  • Food Science and Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Software Engineering
• UET Faisalabad Campus
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechatronic and Control Engineering
  • Textile Engineering
• UET Rachna College of Engineering and Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
• UET Narowal Campus
  • Architecture
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

ECAT requires thorough preparation across subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English, and Maqsad helps students ace ECAT through detailed video lectures and extensive practice MCQs.

GIKI

GIKI Registration and Entry Test Dates

The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) is known for its rigorous admission process. The GIKI test primarily focuses on mathematics and physics.

• GIKI Registration: April - May 2025
• Test Date: July 2025

Programs and Campuses

GIKI has one campus located in Topi, in the Swabi District of KPK. It offers the following undergraduate engineering and computing programs:

• BS in Electrical Engineering
• BS in Artificial Intelligence
• BS in Computer Engineering
• BS in Computer Science
• BS in Cyber Security
• BS in Data Science
• BS in Software Engineering
• BS in Engineering Science
• BS in Mechanical Engineering
• BS in Materials Engineering
• BS in Chemical Engineering
• BS in Civil Engineering

NED University of Engineering and Technology

Registration and Test Dates

NED conducts two rounds of its entry test, held in the summer. A tentative schedule for registration and test dates is given below.

Programs and Campuses

• BE Civil Engineering
• BE Civil Engineering along with Specialization in Construction
• BE Civil Engineering along with Specialization in Urban
• BE Petroleum Engineering
• B. Arch. Architecture
• BE Mechanical Engineering
• BE Textile Engineering
• BS Textile Sciences
• BE Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
• BE Automotive Engineering
• BE Electrical Engineering
• BE Computer & Information Systems Engineering
• BE Electronic Engineering
• BE Telecommunications Engineering
• BE Chemical Engineering
• BE Materials Engineering
• BE Metallurgical Engineering
• BE Polymer & Petrochemical Engineering
• BE Biomedical Engineering
• BE Food Engineering
• BS Software Engineering
• BS Computer Science & Information Technology
• BS Artificial Intelligence
• BS Data Sciences
• BS Cyber Security
• BS Gaming & Animations
• BS Computational Finance
• BS Industrial Chemistry
• BS Applied Physics

Mehran University

Registration and Test Dates

• Mehran Registration: June 2025
• Test Date: June-July 2025

Programs and Campuses

• Bachelor of Architecture
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS)
• Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security (BSCYS)
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (BSM)
• Bachelor of Studies in English (BSE)
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BSES)
• Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BSAI)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Civil (BETC)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Electrical (BETE)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Mechanical (BETM)

Dawood University

Tentative Admission Calendar

Programs and Campuses

COMSATS Entry Test

For students aiming for engineering or computer science at COMSATS, the entrance test focuses on a balanced mix of verbal, analytical, and quantitative reasoning, along with relevant subject knowledge. The test is the same as NTS NAT and students can opt to give the NTS NAT instead of the COMSATS entry test.

• COMSATS Registration: June - July 2025
• Test Date: July 2025

Programs and Campuses

COMSATS has seven campuses: Attock, Abbottabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Vehari, and Wah; and offers a multitude of programs in different campuses. A full list is given below.

• Bachelor of Architecture (Islamabad, Lahore)
• BS Biotechnology (Abbottabad)
• BS Microbiology (Abbottabad)
• BS Bioinformatics (Islamabad, Sahiwal)
• BS Biosciences (Islamabad)
• BS Food Science and Nutrition (Sahiwal)
• BS Chemical Engineering (Lahore)
• BS Chemistry (Islamabad, Lahore)
• BS Civil Engineering (Abbottabad, Sahiwal, Wah)
• BS Artificial Intelligence (Attock, Islamabad, Lahore, Wah)
• BS Computer Science (Abbottabad, Attock, Islamabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Vehari. Wah)
• BS Cyber Security (Islamabad)
• BS Data Science (Islamabad)
• BS Software Engineering (Abbottabad, Attock, Islamabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Vehari. Wah)
• BS Development Studies (Abbottabad)
• BS Geology (Abbottabad)
• BS Geophysics (Abbottabad)
• BS Economics (Abbottabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Vehari)
• BS Economics with Data Science (Islamabad)
• BS Computer Engineering (Abbottabad, Attock, Islamabad, Lahore, Wah)
• BS Electrical Engineering (Abbottabad, Attock, Islamabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Wah)
• BS Electrical (Electronics) Engineering (Abbottabad, Islamabad)
• BS Environmental Sciences (Abbottabad, Vehari)
• BS Mathematics (Attock, Islamabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Vehari)
• BS Mathematics with Data Science (Islamabad)
• BS Mechanical Engineering (Sahiwal, Wah)
• BS Remote Sensing and GIS (Islamabad)
• BS Electronics and Computing (Islamabad)
• BS Physics (Islamabad, Lahore)
• BS Statistics (Lahore)

Maqsad's Role in Your ECAT Preparation

At every stage of your ECAT journey, Maqsad is here to help. Whether you're preparing for NUST’s NET, FAST’s computer science test, or UET’s ECAT, Maqsad offers comprehensive study plans, mock tests, and live online classes to guide you through the preparation. Some key feature to help you in your preparation are:

• Live Classes - for deeper conceptual understanding, and to learn NET shortcuts and tricks
• Recorded Video Lectures - for detailed revision
• A diagnostic test - to gauge your strengths and weaknesses
• Tests and FLPs - for topical and full paper practice, and to learn time management
• Guidance and Counselling - to make sure you make the right choices

Maqsad's ECAT batch for 2025 is designed to cover the entire syllabus, offering tailored resources for students in engineering and computer science disciplines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ideal journey for ECAT students in Pakistan requires meticulous planning, preparation, and perseverance. By understanding the timeline for entry tests like NUST’s NET, UET’s ECAT, and FAST’s entry test, students can ensure they are always one step ahead. With Maqsad by your side, you’ll have the guidance, resources, and support you need to excel in your entrance exams and secure a place at your dream university.

FAQs

What is ECAT?

ECAT stands for Engineering College Admission Test. It's not a single standardised test for all engineering universities but refers generally to various entrance exams for different institutions. For example, universities like NUST, FAST, NED, and UET have their own specific entry tests. In this article, the term ECAT is used as a general term to talk about all entry tests for Engineering and CS undergraduate degrees.

What percentage do I need for ECAT?

Usually, candidates need a minimum of 60% in intermediate for engineering programs and 50% for computing programs. Hoever, some universities might set their own eligibility criteria different from this.