The National Benchmark Tests are standardized tests used by South African universities to measure the academic abilities of prospective students. The tests are designed to assess your readiness for tertiary education in two main areas:

1. Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy (AQL)
2. Mathematics (MAT)

Each university in South Africa may have its own specific requirements regarding which test you need to take, so it’s important to check with the institution where you are applying.

What You Need to Register for NBT

Before you begin the NBT registration process, ensure you have the following:

• Your South African ID (or passport if you’re an international student).
• A unique email address (this will be used for all communication).
• The city and test venue where you want to write your NBT.
• NBT requirements from your institution(s) – universities post these on their websites or in their prospectuses.
• Your preferred test date – remember to allow at least 4 weeks for your results to be sent to institutions after the test. You can access your results after 5 weeks on the NBT website.
• Pen and paper to record your username and EasyPay number (you will need these for future use).

How to Register for NBT

The NBT registration process is entirely online, and you can access the portal through the official NBT website. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you register:

1. Visit the NBT registration portal and click on “Register.”
2. Create a new profile by providing your personal details, including your ID number or passport, full name, contact details, and email address.
3. Select your test venue based on your location. You will choose the city and available test center.
4. Choose a test date. Make sure the date fits your application deadlines for the institutions you’re applying to.
5. Take note of your username and EasyPay number. These are crucial for completing your registration, checking your results, or making any changes.
6. Pay the required fee using your EasyPay number at participating EasyPay outlets, or pay online.

Important Information About NBT Registration

• Test Date and Venue: Your registration is specific to the test date and venue you choose. If you miss your scheduled test, you will need to re-register and pay again.
• Payment: Your results will only be accessible once you have completed payment for all registered tests.
• Changing your details: You can use your EasyPay number and username to update personal information, change your test date or venue, and verify payment.

NBT Requirements by Institutions

It’s crucial to understand that the NBT Project does not determine which test you should write or the deadlines for submitting results. These requirements vary by institution. You must check the specific NBT requirements of each university or college you are applying to. Most institutions list this information on their websites or in their prospectus.

Accessing Your NBT Results

Your NBT results will be available online 5 weeks after you write the test. Keep in mind that you must wait an additional week for your results to be sent to the institutions you’ve applied to. You can access your results by logging in to your profile on the NBT website with the username and EasyPay number assigned to you during registration.

FAQs About NBT Registration

1. Can I change my test venue or date after registering?
Yes, but only if you haven’t missed your original test date. You can use your username and EasyPay number to request a change.

2. What happens if I miss my test?
If you miss your test, you must re-register and pay the full fee again.

3. How do I know which test to write?
Check the NBT requirements of the institution(s) you are applying to. Some require only the AQL test, while others may require both the AQL and MAT tests.