A Guide to How the NBT Online Test Functions

If you’re a matriculant who has applied to study at one of South Africa’s public universities, you may be required to take the National Benchmark Test (NBT). If you’re wondering how it works, here’s a breakdown.

The NBT is designed to assess a prospective first-year student’s academic readiness for university. It consists of two parts:

Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy (AQL): This test evaluates a student’s skills in academic and quantitative literacy. It is a combined multiple-choice test, with both sections timed, giving you a total of three hours to complete. All applicants, regardless of their chosen field of study, are required to take the AQL test.

Mathematics (MAT): This test is for students applying to courses that require a background in mathematics. It assesses mathematical competence and, like the AQL, is a multiple-choice test with a three-hour time limit.

Although the NBT is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education, it is managed by the Centre for Educational Testing for Access and Placement (CETAP) at UCT. Leading universities, including UCT, use NBT scores alongside the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results to get a fuller picture of an applicant’s academic strengths.

The NBT was introduced in 2006 to help universities interpret school-leaving results, identify any academic support students may need in their first year, and make adjustments to entry-level courses where necessary. However, previous NBT tests are not available for preparation as the content is confidential.