NBT 2026: Registration, Dates, Fees, and University Requirements

Registrations for the 2026 National Benchmark Test (NBT) cycle are open. Many South African universities use these tests to assess your academic readiness for tertiary study.

Your NBT results are used with your Matric marks to help institutions make admission decisions. This guide provides all the key dates, fees, university requirements, and registration steps for the 2026 cycle.

NBT Registration 2026

You must register online through the official NBT website to book your test. The process is straightforward, but you must complete it to secure your spot.

What You Need to Register

Before you begin, have these items ready:

• Your official South African ID document or a valid passport.
• A working email address that you check regularly.
• A pen and paper to write down your NBT registration number and payment reference (EasyPay number).

Step-by-Step Registration Guide

1. Go to the official NBT website: www.nbt.ac.za
2. Click on “Book a test” and follow the prompts to create your profile.
3. Fill in your personal details. This information must match your ID or passport exactly.
4. Fill in your contact information.
5. Choose which tests you need to write (AQL only, or AQL and MAT).
6. Select your test date and venue. You must choose between writing online or at a physical test center.
7. Complete the short survey.
8. Pay the required fee to confirm your booking. You will receive a confirmation letter and payment receipt.

You will also get an SMS and email two days before your test to confirm your venue and time.

NBT Test Dates 2026

The NBT test cycle runs throughout most of the year, with test sessions typically offered on Saturday or Sunday mornings.

You must book your specific date on the NBT website during the registration process. It is crucial to check the application deadlines for your chosen university. You must write your NBT before this deadline for your results to be considered.

Online vs. Physical Test Center

You have two options for writing the NBT:

• Online Test: You can write the test from home. You must have a stable internet connection and a computer that meets the technical requirements. You also need to check the load shedding schedule for your area.
• Physical Test Center: You can write the traditional “pen and paper” test at a designated venue. You must travel to the center and arrive early for sign-in.

NBT Fees (Costs) 2026

You must pay the NBT fees to confirm your test booking. These are the fees for the 2026 test cycle.

• AQL only: R185
• AQL and MAT: R370
• Re-mark: R250

These fees are subject to change. Always confirm the final amount on the NBT website during your registration.

If you miss your scheduled test, you will not get a refund. You must re-register and pay the full fee again.

University Requirements for NBT

This is the most important part of the NBT process. Not every university requires the NBT, and some only require it for specific programs.

Which Universities Require the NBT?

Many major South African universities require the NBT for at least some of their faculties. These often include:

• University of Cape Town (UCT)
• Stellenbosch University (SU)
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• University of Pretoria (UP)
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
• Rhodes University (RU)
• University of the Western Cape (UWC)
• North-West University (NWU)

Important: You must always check the prospectus or admissions page for the specific program you are applying to. Requirements can change and differ between faculties at the same university.

Which Test Should You Write? AQL vs. MAT

Your university and chosen degree will determine which NBT you must write.

• Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL): This is the standard test that almost all applicants must write. It is a 3-hour, multiple-choice test that assesses your reading, reasoning, and basic mathematical skills.
• Mathematics (MAT): This is a separate 3-hour, multiple-choice test. It is required for degrees that are mathematically demanding, such as Engineering, Health Sciences, Accounting (BCom), and most Science (BSc) programs.

If your program requires the MAT, you must write both the AQL and the MAT. You will write them on the same day in one long session with a short break.

How to Prepare for the NBT

You cannot study for the NBT like a normal school exam. It is a test of your skills, not your memory.

There are no official past papers. Do not trust any website or person trying to sell you “leaked” NBT papers.

The best way to prepare is to download the free exemplar questions (practice booklets) from the official NBT website. These show you the format, style, and difficulty of the questions.

• Download the AQL exemplar questions.
• Download the MAT exemplar questions (if you are writing the MAT).

Understanding Your NBT Results

The NBT does not have a “pass” or “fail” mark. Your results show your proficiency level in three benchmark categories:

1. Proficient: You are considered academically ready for university-level work.
2. Intermediate: You will likely cope with your studies but may need extra academic support. Universities may place you in an extended-degree program.
3. Basic: You are considered unprepared for the demands of university study.

Universities use these benchmarks to make admission decisions and to place students in the correct programs.

Rewrites and Remarks

• Rewrites: You are allowed to write the NBT twice in one test cycle (one academic year). If you write a second time, the university will usually consider your highest score.
• Remarks: If you believe your test was marked incorrectly, you can apply for a re-mark. You must do this within 30 days of receiving your results, and it costs R250.

NBT Project Contact Details

For any official questions about registration, payments, or test dates, contact the NBT Project directly.

• Official Website: www.nbt.ac.za
• Phone Number: 021 650 3523
• Email: nbt@uct.ac.za