LAHORE: An abrupt announcement by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Sunday that it would conduct an Undergraduate Studies Admission Test (USAT) for admission to undergraduate degrees in universities across Pakistan sparked concern among students. HEC Undergraduate Studies Admission test USAT 2021. The HEC ad failed to make it clear whether or not USAT would be mandatory, adding to student confusion when a number of universities had already opened undergraduate admissions and announced their own entrance test schedule. Many universities also have no entrance tests for their general BS courses.
In addition to advertisements, the HEC used its social media channels to post the announcement, which received no positive response from students as most of them cited USAT in their harsh comments as another “money-maker” move.
“The Higher Education Commission, namely the Education Testing Council (ETC), will conduct an undergraduate admission test (USAT) for undergraduate admission to universities across Pakistan,” the HEC ad reads. August 30, 2021 has been announced as the final date for online registration, while September 12, 2021 has been set as the preliminary date for taking the entrance test.
Speaking to The News, some officials from various universities came tough on the HEC, saying that there had been no consultations with the universities on this matter. “No advice. We are already planning such tests for our admissions, ”said a senior official at a public university in Lahore when asked whether or not the HEC has consulted the university on USAT. Since the report came from the university supervisory authority, there was a view, especially among students, that this was mandatory.
Tahir Munir, one of the applicants for the GCU BS program, said the HEC announcement literally panicked him. “I’m already preparing for my own AVV entry, but I’m confused if I would sit for USAT,” he said, adding that the ETC would charge 1,200 rupees separately for its test.
When contacted, Dr. Iftikhar, Chief Executive Officer of ETC, that the Undergraduate Studies Admission Test (USAT) is not mandatory. He said that the ETC launched their product (entry test) to compete on a quality basis and it is up to the universities whether they want to take that test or not.
When asked by Dr. Iftikhar said due to lack of space in advertisements, it could not be made clear that USAT was not mandatory.