Saudi Qiyas Tests Explained: GAT (Qudurat) and Tahsili for University Admission

Why these tests matter in Saudi Arabia

For most Saudi universities, admission is not decided on your school grades alone. The Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC), through its National Center for Assessment (widely known as Qiyas), runs standardized admission tests that universities use as part of their selection.

The two you will hear about most for undergraduate entry are the General Aptitude Test (GAT) — known locally as Qudurat — and the Tahsili, or Achievement Test. Universities typically combine your test results with your high-school GPA to form an overall admission score. This is a neutral, practical overview; the exact rules and weightings are set by ETEC and each university, so verify the current details on the official source.

The GAT (Qudurat): an aptitude test

The GAT measures general learning-related ability rather than memorised school content. It has two parts — a verbal (reasoning and language) section and a quantitative (numerical/mathematical reasoning) section — and is designed to reflect skills that predict success at university.

The GAT is offered in both Arabic and English versions; the English version emphasises English-language reasoning alongside the quantitative skills, which is directly relevant to applicants heading into English-medium programmes. It can be taken on paper or by computer at Qiyas test centres. Question counts, timing, the number of allowed attempts and the validity period are set by ETEC and can change, so confirm the current specification before you register.

• Aptitude test: verbal + quantitative reasoning
• Available in an Arabic version and an English version
• Taken on paper or computer at Qiyas centres
• Structure, timing and validity are set by ETEC — verify current details

The Tahsili (Achievement Test): subject knowledge

The Tahsili — the Achievement Test — checks what you have actually learned across your final high-school years, drawn mainly from the final year with some coverage of earlier years. It is offered by track.

The scientific track covers subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, and is aimed at applicants for science, engineering, health and similar majors. There is also a track for humanities/literary subjects. Because the Tahsili is curriculum-based, preparation centres on revising your school syllabus. The number of questions, sections and timing are defined by ETEC and can change, so take the current details from the official source.

• Curriculum-based test of high-school subject knowledge
• Scientific track: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics
• A separate track exists for humanities/literary subjects
• Weighted toward the final school year — confirm the current specification

GAT vs Tahsili — which do you need?

Think of it this way: the GAT tests reasoning ability and applies broadly; the Tahsili tests subject mastery and is track-specific. Many science, engineering and health programmes ask for both the GAT and the (scientific) Tahsili, while some programmes rely mainly on the GAT plus GPA.

What a given university requires — and how heavily each element counts — is a decision made by that university within ETEC's framework, and it varies by programme. So the correct approach is to check the admission requirements of your target university and programme directly, and only then plan which tests to prepare for.

• GAT = broad aptitude; Tahsili = track-specific subject knowledge
• Many science/engineering/health majors ask for both
• Requirements and weightings vary by university and programme
• Check your target programme's rules before deciding what to sit

How results are used in admission

Saudi universities generally build a composite admission score from a combination of your high-school GPA, your GAT result and, where required, your Tahsili result (English proficiency is handled separately — see the note below). The relative weight of each part is set by the university and differs between institutions and programmes.

Because selection is competitive and score-based, there is no fixed "pass mark" that guarantees a place — a place depends on how your composite compares with other applicants for that programme in that cycle. No preparation, centre or service can promise admission; be cautious of any such claim.

Registering and preparing

You register for GAT and Tahsili through Qiyas, choosing the test, version (for the GAT) and a test centre. Qiyas operates centres across Saudi Arabia, and offers testing for eligible candidates outside the Kingdom as well — useful if you are applying from elsewhere in the Gulf or from India — so check current availability and locations on the official platform.

For preparation, use the official test descriptions and sample materials published by ETEC/Qiyas as your anchor, and revise your school syllabus for the Tahsili. Where the GAT and Tahsili sit alongside an English requirement, note that the English test is a separate ETEC exam (STEP) covered in its own guide.

• Register via Qiyas; pick the test, GAT version and centre
• Centres are across Saudi Arabia, with some availability abroad — verify
• Prepare from official ETEC/Qiyas descriptions + your school syllabus
• English is assessed separately (STEP) — see the dedicated guide