COMSATS NAT Guide — Which NAT Category Should You Take?

Every year students lose weeks of preparation, and sometimes a whole admission cycle, by registering for the wrong NAT category. The National Aptitude Test run by NTS comes in several versions, and COMSATS applies a simple but often misunderstood rule for choosing between them. This guide explains that rule, lists every NAT category with its paper pattern, shows how the score feeds into COMSATS merit, and gives a preparation plan. Facts come from the COMSATS admission FAQs (ww2.comsats.edu.pk) and the NTS paper pattern page (nts.org.pk). For the full admission process see our COMSATS Undergraduate Admission Guide — NAT & Merit.

The Golden Rule: Your Intermediate Group Decides

COMSATS states clearly that the NAT category depends on the group you studied in FA/FSc or A Levels, not on the program you are applying to. The FAQs give the example of a pre-medical student who sits NAT-IM even when applying for BBA or Accounting and Finance (Source: https://ww2.comsats.edu.pk/admissionoffice/faqs.aspx). This surprises many applicants who expect to take a computing test for a Computer Science degree. The logic is that the subject section of the test should examine what you actually studied, while the English, analytical and quantitative sections are common to all categories.

NAT Categories for 12-Year Education

Source: https://www.nts.org.pk/products/ntsnat/nat-paper-pattern.php. All six category-one tests share the same structure: 20 English, 20 Analytical, 20 Quantitative and 30 Subject questions. NTS also offers category-two tests (NAT-IIA, IIB, IIM, IIP, IIO) for candidates with 14 years of education; these are for post-graduation entry and are not what Intermediate students need.

Matching Your Background to a Category

• FSc Pre-Engineering (Physics, Chemistry, Maths): NAT-IE, whatever the degree, including CS, Software Engineering, BBA or Electrical Engineering.
• FSc Pre-Medical (Biology, Chemistry, Physics): NAT-IM, even for business or social science programs.
• ICS (Computer Science with Physics or Statistics and Maths): NAT-ICS.
• FA or A Level arts subjects: NAT-IA.
• I.Com or A Level with Accounting/Business: NAT-ICOM.
• General Science (Maths, Statistics, Economics and similar): NAT-IGS.

A Level students should map their subject combination to the nearest Intermediate group using their IBCC equivalence certificate. If your combination is genuinely ambiguous, write to the admission office of the campus before registering; the FAQs stress that forms with the wrong test are not considered.

How the Score Feeds Into Merit

COMSATS weights the NTS test at 50% of the aggregate for engineering and non-engineering programs, with Intermediate at 40% and Matric at 10% (Source: Undergraduate Guide 2025-26). Engineering applicants need a minimum valid score of 33% under PEC rules. The university recommends sitting the test again even if you hold a valid score, because the higher of two scores is used. Scores from NTS tests taken for other universities are not accepted, and the NTS fee is separate from the COMSATS processing fee. Learn how the numbers combine in our COMSATS Undergraduate Admission Guide — NAT & Merit and compare with the NUST Merit Calculation Guide — NET, Matric & Intermediate.

Registration Steps

1. Check the NTS schedule for the next NAT sitting and compare it with the COMSATS closing date for your campus.
2. If an NTS sitting falls before the closing date, register on the NTS portal, pay the NTS fee and select the category matching your Intermediate group.
3. If no NTS sitting fits, register for the CUI-arranged test through the COMSATS admission form of the campus with the earliest deadline.
4. Keep the roll number slip; enter the same CUI roll number on any other campus forms.
5. After the result, upload the result card or an internet-generated NTS result if the original card is not available.
6. Confirm on the portal that your test status is reflected before the deadline.

Source for steps 2 to 5: https://ww2.comsats.edu.pk/admissionoffice/faqs.aspx. Validity periods for NAT scores are not stated on the NTS pattern page; check the official website for the current rule before relying on an old result.

Preparation Plan and Common Mistakes

Two thirds of the paper is English, analytical and quantitative reasoning, and these sections are identical across categories. Spend the first half of your preparation on vocabulary, reading comprehension, logical puzzles and Matric-level maths. Spend the second half revising your Intermediate subject books for the 30 subject questions. Attempt timed mock papers: 90 questions in 120 minutes leaves about 80 seconds per question.

• Registering for NAT-ICS because you want a CS degree while you studied pre-engineering.
• Letting an earlier NAT score expire before the closing date and assuming it will still count.
• Using a test attempted for another university’s admission.
• Skipping the CUI-arranged test option when no NTS date fits the deadline.

FAQs

I am pre-medical but want BS Computer Science. Which NAT?

NAT-IM. COMSATS bases the category on your Intermediate group, not the program, as the official FAQs state. Check the program’s own subject eligibility too.

How many questions are in NAT-IE?

90 questions in 120 minutes: 20 English, 20 Analytical, 20 Quantitative, 30 Pre-Engineering subject questions (Source: nts.org.pk).

Is there a passing score for bachelor applicants?

COMSATS advises bachelor applicants to aim for maximum marks rather than a pass mark, except that engineering requires at least 33% under PEC policy.

Can I use one NAT score for several COMSATS campuses?

Yes. One NTS or CUI test covers multiple campuses; you only need separate admission forms and processing fees per campus.

What if I cannot find my original NTS result card?

The FAQs allow an internet-generated NTS result to be submitted instead.

Related Guides

• COMSATS Undergraduate Admission Guide — NAT & Merit
• COMSATS entry test page
• COMSATS University Islamabad profile
• NUST Undergraduate Admission Guide — NET & Application Process
• HEC USAT Guide — What Students Should Know
• All entry tests
• All admissions
• Programs
• Admission guides

Last updated: 18 October 2026. Always confirm details with the official university source.