An Ultimate Guide to the NBT

The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is officially open for registration! This is exciting news for students who are looking to apply to college or university this year.

Wondering what the National Benchmark Test (NBT) is and what it entails? Be sure to find everything you need to know in our ultimate guide.

What is the National Benchmark Test (NBT) in South Africa?

The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is designed to assess the academic readiness of students for higher education. Basically, this test complements your matric results and is used to show your college or university that you are ready to start studying at their institutions.

The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is administered by the National Benchmark Test Project, which is part of the Higher Education South Africa (HESA) organisation.

There are 2 types of National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) that students may be required to take, depending on the specific requirements of the universities or colleges to which they are applying:

Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) Test: This multiple-choice, 3-hour test assesses a student’s ability to read, write and reason effectively in an academic context, as well as their proficiency in basic mathematical concepts and skills.
Mathematics Test (MAT): The Mathematics Test (MAT) is a multiple-choice, 3-hour test that assesses a student’s knowledge of mathematics, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Note: If you are writing both the Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) Test and the Mathematics Test (MAT), you will be writing them both on the same day.

What is the Purpose of the National Benchmark Test (NBT)?

The overall purpose of the National Benchmark Test (NBT) in South Africa is to assess your entry-level proficiency in both quantitative literacy and mathematics.

With that said, the NBT test also plays an important role in providing higher education institutions with more information about your academic skill set, which is essentially the deciding factor as to whether or not you will be accepted into college or university.

Understanding National Benchmark Test (NBT) Results

To give you a better understanding of how higher education institutions use the National Benchmark Test (NBT) results to admit students, let’s take a look at how they work.

How to Interpret Your NBT Results

It’s important to note that the results you receive on your National Benchmark Test (NBT) are not scored on a pass-or-fail system. Rather, it’s a way to assess how proficient you will be at understanding the academic work at your potential college or university.

That said, there is a way to interpret your results to see how well you performed in your National Benchmark Test (NBT). The National Benchmark Test Project uses the following benchmark categories to score your results:

Proficient: If you’ve been placed in the proficient category, it means you’ll be able to handle any academic work at college or university that comes your way.

Intermediate: Learners who are placed in the intermediate category can expect to face a few challenges at college or university, particularly when it comes to their academic work.
Basic: If you’ve been placed in the basic category, you may be unprepared to study at a university level.

In terms of proficiency scores, the National Benchmark Test Project has broken down the minimums and maximums as follows:

NBT Proficiency Scores for a Degree

Academic Literacy

Quantitative Literacy

Mathematics

Degree benchmark

Proficient

Intermediate

Basic

Minimum

Maximum

100

Minimum

Maximum

100

Minimum

Maximum

100

NBT Proficiency Scores for a Diploma

Academic Literacy

Quantitative Literacy

Mathematics

Degree benchmark

Proficient

Intermediate

Basic

Minimum

Maximum

100

Minimum

Maximum

100

Minimum

Maximum

100

How NBT Results Are Used by Higher Education Institutions

The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is used by many South African universities and colleges as part of their admissions process, along with other factors such as academic transcripts and personal statements.

Certain institutions also use the NBTs for student placement in development courses, extended degree programmes or for identifying whether or not students may need additional academic support.

Impact of NBT Results on Higher Education Institution Admissions

Your National Benchmark Test (NBT) results will impact whether or not you are approved for admission to your chosen college or university.

For example, if you’d like to apply for a medical degree, and your matric results are on the lower side of the academic requirements, you can take an NBT test to give you a bit of a push and potentially increase your chances of being accepted.

The National Benchmark Test (NBT) also allows tertiary institutions to better interpret your matric results and whether or not you’ll need extra assistance when studying at your chosen college or university.

How Do I Prepare for the National Benchmark Test (NBT)?

Although there are no past papers available for the National Benchmark Test (NBT), there are plenty of other ways to prepare for your NBT, which you can view below.

Confirm Your NBT Registration Date

After you’ve registered for your National Benchmark Test (NBT), you can view your test date on the National Benchmark Test Project website. You’ll also receive an SMS and email 2 days before your test date to confirm your test venue.

Make sure that the NBT test date and venue are both correct and mark it on your calendar so that you don’t forget.

If you miss your NBT test, you won’t be able to get a refund and will have to pay for and create another booking on the National Benchmark Test Project website.

Study the NBT Test Format

The National Benchmark Test Project has two booklets available to help you prepare for the National Benchmark Test (NBT). Each booklet has sample questions that you can practise to give you a good feel of the format as well as what’s going to be on the National Benchmark Test (NBT).

You can download the two booklets online on the National Benchmark Test Project or by following the links below:

By practising with the booklets above, you’ll feel ready to ace the National Benchmark Test (NBT) and be one step further to achieving your academic goals.

Take Note of the NBT Test Duration

Both the Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) Test and the Mathematics Test (MAT) are 3 hours in duration. Although the National Benchmark Test is multiple choice, it’s important not to breeze through the test within the first hour.

Be sure to use your time wisely and make sure that you’ve read and understood each question carefully when writing your NBT test.

Here are some tips for writing multiple-choice tests to help guide you on the way:

Read the entire question fully before glancing over your options to avoid misunderstanding the question and getting the incorrect answer
Eliminate incorrect answers or answers you’re unsure about before selecting the one you think is correct
Be sure to read each option carefully before selecting the best answer (there is always one answer that is more correct than another)
Answer the questions you know first and go back to answer the more difficult questions once you’ve completed your first round of answers

With these tips, you’ll be able to answer your NBT test carefully and within the 3-hour period, ensuring that you’ve done your absolute best when writing your test.

What is the Pass Mark for the National Benchmark Test (NBT)?

If you’ve failed the National Benchmark Test (NBT), then you’ll be happy to know that the National Benchmark Test Project allows you to rewrite the tests twice in the span of 1 year.

This means that you can still get another chance at writing the National Benchmark Test (NBT); however, should you fail the second test, you’ll only be able to rewrite the National Benchmark Test (NBT) again after a year has passed.

If you feel that you’ve been marked unfairly or if you’d simply like a remark, you can get a remark within 30 days of writing your National Benchmark Test (NBT). Remarking is not free though and you’ll need to pay a fee of R250 to have your National Benchmark Test remarked.

What Do I Do if I Fail the National Benchmark Test (NBT)?

It’s important to note that there is no pass mark for the National Benchmark Test (NBT) in South Africa. The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) are simply used as a way to determine whether you’re ready to study at college or university.

With that said, failing the NBTs does not mean you’re a failure, so don’t give up home just yet! You can still rewrite the NBTs should you be placed in this category or if you’ve failed.

Where Can I Write the National Benchmark Test (NBT)?

In terms of where you can write the National Benchmark Test (NBT), there are two options that are available to you: online or at a physical venue.

Both options have their pros and cons, although there are arguably more benefits to doing online NBTs. When deciding whether to write your National Benchmark Test (NBT) online or at a physical venue, consider the below first:

Factors to Consider For Writing the National Benchmark Test (NBT) Online

Before you choose to book an online NBT, make sure you’ve considered the below to avoid any errors or mishaps that may occur:

Internet connection or mobile data: Learners who would like to do the online NBTs need a good internet connection or data to write the test.
Convenience: Taking the NBTs online means that you can take the test at home without having to worry about travel costs.
Load shedding: Learners taking the online NBTs need to be wary of load shedding and may have to make a plan in case they are on the schedule on the day of their National Benchmark Test.

Factors to Consider For Writing the National Benchmark Test (NBT) at a Physical Venue

Learners who are unable to write the online test will need to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) at a physical venue. If you’re going to write your NBT at a physical venue, it’s important to consider the following factors before making your booking:

Location: If you’d like to write the pencil and paper test, you’ll need to ensure that there is a physical test venue close to you. Thankfully there are plenty of test venues spread across South Africa.
Travel costs: Writing at a venue comes with incurring costs, such as needing to catch a lift with someone or paying for a taxi to get you to the venue.
Time management: Much like your exam period, you’ll need to manage your time well and get to the venue before the test starts, or else risk missing out and having to book (and pay for) an NBT test again.

Note that both the online and physical tests can be scheduled on either a Saturday or Sunday only. The National Benchmark Project reserves the right to cancel your NBT assessment date at short notice, should there be any issues such as low registration or structural problems with the venue.

Which Universities Require the National Benchmark Test (NBT)?

The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is used by many universities and colleges in South Africa as part of their admissions process, particularly for undergraduate studies. However, the specific NBT requirements can vary by institution and programme, so it is important for students to check with the universities they are interested in applying to for their specific requirements.

That being said, some of the universities in South Africa that typically require the National Benchmark Test as part of their admissions process include:

View the full list of public higher education institutions that require the NBT.

View the full list of private higher education institutions that require the NBT.

Which National Benchmark Test (NBT) Should I Write?

There are 2 National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) that you will be able to write: the Academic and Qualitative Literacy (AQL) Test and the Mathematics Test (MAT). Depending on your college or university requirements, you may be required to write 1 National Benchmark Test (NBT) or both National Benchmark Tests (NBTs).

To give you a better idea of what those requirements are, be sure to check out the below outline of both the AQL and MAT tests, which should help you decide which National Benchmark Test (NBT) to write.

The Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) Test

The Academic Quantitative Literacy (AQL) Test is a National Benchmark Test (NBT) generally written by all applicants and is a great way to determine your language and basic mathematical abilities.

The outcomes of the AQL Test closely reflect that of the Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy subject, making it an ideal NBT for learners who took Mathematical Literacy in high school. However, it’s important to note that the test is more advanced than any Mathematical Literacy exams you took in high school and is designed to assess your ability to apply your skills at a tertiary level.

The Mathematics Test (MAT)

The Mathematics Test (MAT) is a National Benchmark Test (NBT) that is often a requirement of learners who would like to study engineering, health sciences or accounting.

It, therefore, makes sense that the MAT Test is suited for learners who are more mathematically inclined and who would like to head into the field of science and maths.

How Much Do the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) Cost?

According to the National Benchmark Test Project, the cost of the 2024 National Benchmark Test (NBT) is as follows:

Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) Test: R175
Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) Test and Mathematics Test (MAT): R350
Re-mark: R250

How to Apply for the National Benchmark Test (NBT)

In order to apply for the National Benchmark Test (NBT), you’ll need to register online. You can register for the National Benchmark Test (NBT) by following the below steps.

How to register for the National Benchmark Test (NBT):

Visit www.nbt.ac.za
Click on ‘Book a test’
Read the requirements (see below) to see what you’ll need to register
Enter your personal details
Fill in your contact information
Choose your test venue and date
Complete the survey
Pay for your test

What you need to register for the National Benchmark Test (NBT):

You’ll need the following requirements in order to register for the National Benchmark Test (NBT):

Your official ID document or SMART card
Your unique email address
City and province where you’d like to write (if you’re writing at a physical venue)
NBT requirements from the higher education institution where you’d like to apply
Date of which you’d like to write your NBT
Pen and paper to record your name and EasyPay number so that you do not lose it

After you’ve registered for the National Benchmark Test (NBT), you’ll need to wait 2 days before your official test date to see whether your date and venue have been confirmed.

It’s important to note that if you’d like to make any changes to your online booking, you can do so up until the closing date posted on your NBT schedule. After that, you won’t be able to make any changes and will need to take the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) that you’ve registered for.

As mentioned earlier, if you’re absent on the day of your test, you’ll be required to rebook and pay again in order to write the NBT.

Still have questions about the National Benchmark Test (NBT)? Be sure to check out our FAQs about the tests to get a better understanding of what the NBTs entail.

If you’re eager to register for the National Benchmark Test (NBT), be sure to find out everything you need to know in our article, How to Register for the NBTs.

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national benchmark tests nbt

An Ultimate Guide to the NBT

Table of Contents

What is the National Benchmark Test (NBT) in South Africa?

What is the Purpose of the National Benchmark Test (NBT)?