HEC National Skills Competency Test (NSCT) – Registration & Test Information for VU Students

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), and the National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC), is going to conduct the National Skills Competency Test (NSCT) for eligible students of computing disciplines.

This initiative aims to bridge the industry–academia skill gap by aligning computing education with industry requirements, strengthening the credibility of skills assessment, and enhancing the employability of graduates in the IT sector.

Eligible Programs

All students currently enrolled in the 7th and 8th semesters of the following BS programs at Virtual University are eligible to appear in the test:

• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Software Engineering
• Data Science

Competency Areas to be Assessed

The test will be based on industry-endorsed competency areas, finalized through a dedicated Technical Committee led by P@SHA, with representation from industry, academia, accreditation bodies, and other relevant stakeholders.

The finalized competency areas can be accessed at the following link:

https://nsct.hec.gov.pk/Area%20of%20Competencies%20-%20National%20Skill%20Competency%20Test.pdf

Benefits for Successful Students

Students who successfully qualify the test will:

• Receive a joint certificate issued under the aegis of HEC, PSEB, and P@SHA.
• Be included in a national, skill-mapped talent pool accessible to local and international IT companies.
• Be eligible to receive one (01) academic credit from their respective institution.
• Gain enhanced access to industry opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, employment pathways, and international certification programs.

Schedule of Test

The National Skills Competency Test is scheduled to be conducted on April 04–05, 2026.

Important Note

• Participation in the test is mandatory for all eligible students.
• No registration fee will be charged from eligible students.
• All eligible students will be required to register on the National Skills Competency Test Portal (https://nsct.hec.gov.pk/).
• The registration portal will open soon, and eligible students will be informed through email and an announcement on the Virtual University website.

All eligible students are advised to start preparing for the test in accordance with the competency areas provided above. For any query, please contact at focalperson-nsct@vu.edu.pk.

Best of Luck!

Virtual University of Pakistan