Education Desk | July 2026 | 4 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- HEC has opened online registration for Law-GAT 2026 through the ETC portal.
- The last date to apply is Sunday, 19 July 2026, according to the announced schedule.
- The Law-GAT test is scheduled for Sunday, 9 August 2026, for eligible law graduates.
- Candidates need at least 50 marks out of 100 to qualify the assessment.
- Applicants must verify payment and check roll number slips through the ETC dashboard.
The Higher Education Commission has opened registration for Law-GAT 2026, giving law graduates a fresh test window before they can move toward enrolment with the Bar as advocates. The test matters because it acts as a national screening step for candidates who have already completed a recognised law degree and now need to meet the eligibility requirement set for professional entry into legal practice.
| 19 July 2026 Registration deadline |
9 August 2026 Test date |
50/100 Passing marks |
Who Can Apply for Law-GAT 2026
The test is open to candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law or an equivalent qualification from a university recognised by HEC and the Pakistan Bar Council. This makes the registration most relevant for fresh law graduates, repeat candidates who still need to clear the assessment, and applicants preparing their documents for Bar enrolment.
HEC’s Education Testing Council conducts the assessment through its online registration system. Candidates should use the official ETC portal rather than informal links or third-party pages, because the dashboard is used for application submission, fee challan generation, payment verification, and roll number slip access.
| Applicant note: Candidates should carefully enter their name, CNIC number, mobile number, email address and test centre details. Incorrect information can create problems at verification, slip issuance or test-day entry. |
Registration Deadline and Test Schedule
The registration window closes on Sunday, 19 July 2026. The test is scheduled for Sunday, 9 August 2026. Candidates should not wait until the final day because online payment confirmation, application review and portal traffic can delay completion of the process near the deadline.
| Requirement | Date or Detail | What Candidates Should Do |
| Online registration deadline | Sunday, 19 July 2026 | Submit the ETC application and verify fee payment before the closing date. |
| Law-GAT test date | Sunday, 9 August 2026 | Download the roll number slip and reach the assigned centre with required documents. |
| Passing requirement | 50 marks out of 100 | Prepare according to the revised curriculum and MCQ pattern. |
| Application portal | etc.hec.gov.pk | Use the ETC dashboard for registration, payment status and roll number slip access. |
Test Pattern, Passing Marks and Preparation
The Law-GAT will be based on multiple choice questions. Candidates should review the latest curriculum and test pattern on the official HEC website before starting final preparation. This is important because preparation based on old outlines, shared notes or social media posts may miss changes in the revised pattern.
A candidate must secure at least 50 marks out of 100 to qualify. The passing requirement gives applicants a clear target, but the test should still be treated seriously because failure can delay Bar enrolment plans and may require the candidate to wait for the next available test cycle.
| Preparation focus: Applicants should confirm the current curriculum, practise MCQs, keep CNIC details consistent across documents and save proof of payment after generating the 1Link/1Bill invoice. |
How to Apply Through the ETC Portal
Applicants need to register through the ETC portal and complete the online form with accurate personal and academic information. The form normally requires details such as name, CNIC, contact number, email address and preferred test centre information. Candidates should review every field before final submission because mistakes in identity information may affect eligibility or test-day verification.
After submitting the form, candidates have to pay the test fee through 1Link/1Bill invoice payment services using the consumer number generated by the system. Payment alone is not enough. Applicants should return to the ETC dashboard and verify the online payment so that their application status is updated properly.
Roll number slips will be made available through the ETC portal. HEC is also expected to send slip information to registered candidates by email around one week before the test. Applicants should therefore provide an active email address and mobile number, and they should keep checking the portal close to the test date.
| Deadline warning: Turning off reminders or delaying payment can create avoidable risk. Candidates should complete registration well before 19 July 2026 and keep screenshots or receipts for their own record. |
Why the Test Matters for Law Graduates
Law-GAT remains a key step for graduates who want to enter professional legal practice in Pakistan. The test does not replace degree completion, Bar requirements or document scrutiny, but it is an important eligibility condition before a candidate can move forward with enrolment as an advocate.
For many applicants, the practical challenge is not only preparation but also documentation discipline. A valid CNIC, correct academic record, verified payment and timely roll number slip download can make the difference between a smooth test experience and last-minute stress. Candidates planning to sit the August test should complete the online process early and then focus on the revised syllabus and MCQ practice.
