NBT: National Benchmark Test
The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs), started in 2005 by Higher Education South Africa (HESA) to evaluate entry-level mathematics and literacy skills of the pupils. It measures the academic readiness of entry-level higher education students in addition to the high school reports on education and knowledge attained in content specific courses.
The National Benchmark Tests evaluate the student’s ability in the following competency areas:
- Academic Literacy (AL)
- Quantitative Literacy (QL)
- Mathematics (MAT)
The Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy are combined and referred to as AQL test and lasts for 3 hours, while the Mathematics (MAT) is of 3 hours afternoon session.
The University decides on which tests the students must appear for. The AQL is written for all the courses/programmes. Both the tests-AQL as well as MAT is required for all the programmes whose prerequisite is mathematics, such as Accounting, Health Sciences, and Engineering. Contact the University to know about the NBT tests they accept.
Structure of NBT
The National Benchmark test comprises of two tests- AQL and MAT.
Academic and Quantitative Literacy Test
- Type of Questions: Multiple-choice
- Duration: 3 hours
- Session: Morning
Academic Literacy
An academic text is given and the candidates are required to understand the meaning and lexicon linked to the given text. Finding the assertion made in the texts, assess evidence used to support the writers’ assertions, deduce conclusions and inferences from text, find out the key idea of the text, understand and interpret information that is given visually in a tabular or chart form and fundamental numerical concepts used in the text. Its purpose is to understand handling academic language competence in university studies.
Quantitative Literacy
This part requires a candidate to select and make use of several quantitative terms, apply quantitative methods and formulae in various cases, interpret tables, graphs, charts and text and assimilate information from different sources, perform calculations that comprises of multiple steps correctly, and understand and explain quantitative information presented symbolically, graphically, and verbally.
Mathematics Test
The MAT test requires a candidate to understand and put in use the real number system properties, identify and use patterns as well as sequence and series, apply relationships, such as ratios and percentages in a diversity of situations, perform algebraic calculations and manipulations, use surds, exponents, logarithms in different algebraic and numerical conditions, understand and use functions and its attributes, recognise relationships between graphs and their equations, apply trigonometric concepts in solving problems, understand properties and interpret representations of two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms, make use of the theories of analytic geometry, and use logical skills in making conclusion and inferences and ascertaining the rationality of given assertions.
- Type of Questions: Multiple-choice
- Duration: 3 hours
- Session: Afternoon
NBT Test Locations
The National Benchmark Tests are conducted at several locations in South Africa.
Eligibility & Usage of NBTs
Students interested in pursuing Undergraduate Studies in South Africa are required to sit for National Benchmark tests. The National Benchmark Tests is used by many of the Universities in South Africa for admissions and also used for bursary applications.
The National Benchmark Tests is also used for the following purposes-
- Placement in development courses
- Extended or Advanced programmes
- Other additional academic support
NBT Registration and Fees
To register for National Benchmark Tests (NBT), log on to https://nbt.ac.za/ Fill out your personal information, Contact Information, and Test/Venue Selection.
Also, to register you need the following things-
- Official South African ID, or if you’re not a South African national then you need to have a valid passport
- Note down your username and EasyPay number: The Username and EasyPay number is used to finish the application procedure, or to change the test date or venue.
NBT Scoring and Results
The NBT Results are uploaded to your NBT account approximately four weeks after your tests, by 12 noon on the date listed on the NBT Test Schedule. Also results are made available to any institution to which you have applied approximately three weeks after you have written your NBT tests.