Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the National Benchmark Test?
The National Benchmark Test (NBT) measures your academic readiness for University.
There are two tests. The Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy domains (AQL) are combined into one multiple-choice test. Each section is timed, for a total of three hours of writing time. The AQL test is written by applicants to all programmes. The second test is Mathematics (MAT), which is written by applicants to programmes for which mathematics is a requirement. The MAT test is also multiple-choice and timed, with three hours allowed.
There are two tests. The Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy domains (AQL) are combined into one multiple-choice test. Each section is timed, for a total of three hours of writing time. The AQL test is written by applicants to all programmes. The second test is Mathematics (MAT), which is written by applicants to programmes for which mathematics is a requirement. The MAT test is also multiple-choice and timed, with three hours allowed.
2. What is the purpose of NBT?
- To assess entry-level academic and quantitative literacy and mathematics proficiency of students;
- To assess the relationship between entry level proficiencies and school-level exit outcomes;
- To provide additional information in the admission and placement of students; and
- To inform the nature of foundation courses and curriculum responsiveness.
3. What tests should I write?
4. How do I register for the NBTs?
Registrations are made on the NBT website - www.nbt.ac.za. Click on "book a test" and follow the prompts. At the end of registration you will be given the option to download or print the registration confirmation. Your NBT reference number will be on the statement. Your NBT reference number is your EasyPay reference number against which you make payment.
NB: Please provide your own personal email address upon registration because all communication will be sent to the email provided.
NB: Please provide your own personal email address upon registration because all communication will be sent to the email provided.
5. May I change my test date?
Registration for the NBTs is specific to the date and location you select. You are allowed to make changes to your test booking online until the closing date posted on the test schedule. Once bookings close for that test date, you cannot make any changes. If you miss the test for which you are registered, you must book again and pay again to write the NBTs.
6. May I write the NBTs more than once?
The NBT Project allows an individual to write the NBT twice within a cycle. Note that you must pay the total fee both times. If you write the MAT test a second time, you must also write the AQL test a second time that morning. You must first check with the institutions where you are applying; not all will accept a second score.
7. What if I have not completed my Grade 12 Curriculum?
Different institutional and faculty requirements determine the deadlines for learners to submit NBT results, which may be as early as June or July.
The time of writing should not be a cause for concern; available data suggests that learners writing the test late in the year have no advantage over those writing in earlier sessions.
However, learners who have not completed the curriculum, or who feel that they may benefit from further revision, may choose to write the tests later in the cycle, but must still meet posted institutional deadlines.
The NBTs are available from May until the first Saturday in January.
The time of writing should not be a cause for concern; available data suggests that learners writing the test late in the year have no advantage over those writing in earlier sessions.
However, learners who have not completed the curriculum, or who feel that they may benefit from further revision, may choose to write the tests later in the cycle, but must still meet posted institutional deadlines.
The NBTs are available from May until the first Saturday in January.
8. Where can I write the NBTs?
The NBTs can be written online or at a physical venue.
Click here to view the schedule and test venues.
There are a number of NBT National writing sessions scheduled on Saturdays, and some Sundays.
The NBT Project reserves the right to cancel a session at short notice. Reasons for cancelling include changes to, low registration as well as structural problems with a venue.
Once registered, you will receive an SMS and an Email two days before your test confirming your test venue.
Click here to view the schedule and test venues.
There are a number of NBT National writing sessions scheduled on Saturdays, and some Sundays.
The NBT Project reserves the right to cancel a session at short notice. Reasons for cancelling include changes to, low registration as well as structural problems with a venue.
Once registered, you will receive an SMS and an Email two days before your test confirming your test venue.
9. What if there is no test site where I live?
The NBT is available to be written online. A goal of the NBT project is to schedule sites around South Africa. If you live in another country or an area where there are no tests nearby, please click here to send us an e-mail. We will assist you to write a "remote" session.[email protected]
10. Remote Writers
A remote writer/student is someone who is unable to write at an institution that generally facilitates the national benchmark test sessions.
Usually it is a writer who is in another country or in an area too remote to be able to make a trip of a reasonable distance to the nearest testing centre.
Procedures
Please note that the test proctor/invigilator should be a person with credibility and not a friend or relative of the writer.
The responsibilities of the test proctor/invigilator are to:
Serve as a receiver for mailed tests and not receive the tests directly from the writer/student; Maintain test security and confidentiality, and invigilate the test in a quiet environment; Ensure that the writer does not use any texts, notes or outside help; Personally mail the original written script(s) to the NBT Project Not photocopy or reproduce the tests or the student’s answers The responsibilities of the writer/examinee are to:
Make arrangements for testing with the test proctor/invigilator according to the test due date; Maintain test security and confidentiality; Carry out any reasonable and legitimate instructions given by the proctor/invigilator
PLEASE NOTE: The Writer/ Student is responsible for all payments such as proctor/invigilator, courier, venue and test.
When we receive the proctor’s/invigilator’s details we will communicate with him/her directly via the e-mail address provided. It is the writer’s responsibility to stay in touch with the proctor/invigilator.
Usually it is a writer who is in another country or in an area too remote to be able to make a trip of a reasonable distance to the nearest testing centre.
Procedures
Please note that the test proctor/invigilator should be a person with credibility and not a friend or relative of the writer.
The responsibilities of the test proctor/invigilator are to:
Serve as a receiver for mailed tests and not receive the tests directly from the writer/student; Maintain test security and confidentiality, and invigilate the test in a quiet environment; Ensure that the writer does not use any texts, notes or outside help; Personally mail the original written script(s) to the NBT Project Not photocopy or reproduce the tests or the student’s answers The responsibilities of the writer/examinee are to:
Make arrangements for testing with the test proctor/invigilator according to the test due date; Maintain test security and confidentiality; Carry out any reasonable and legitimate instructions given by the proctor/invigilator
PLEASE NOTE: The Writer/ Student is responsible for all payments such as proctor/invigilator, courier, venue and test.
When we receive the proctor’s/invigilator’s details we will communicate with him/her directly via the e-mail address provided. It is the writer’s responsibility to stay in touch with the proctor/invigilator.
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