FAST Entry Test 2027 Date, Registration and Fee
FAST-NUCES hasn't published its Fall 2027 admission schedule yet. In 2026, applications ran from 20 May to 30 June and the NU admission tests from 29 June to 10 July. Here is the official timetable, the fee, who can apply and how the online application works.
By ParhaiKrlo Team · Published 9 Oct 2026 · 6 min read
Updated: 9 October 2026
If you're in FSc second year and want a seat at FAST-NUCES in Fall 2027, the first question is when the FAST entry test happens. The short answer: FAST hasn't announced its 2027 dates yet. Its admissions page still shows the tentative schedule for 2026, so that is the best guide to how the cycle runs.
Everything below is from FAST's own pages (nu.edu.pk Admissions: Schedule, How to Apply, Eligibility Criteria, Fee Structure and FAQ, plus the admission pages of FAST's 2025 prospectus), checked on 9 October 2026. We'll update this page when FAST publishes the 2027 schedule.
Quick answer: FAST entry test 2027
- 2027 test dates: not announced yet. In 2026, applications opened in late May and tests ran in early July.
- Last cycle (2026): applications 20 May to 30 June, NU admission tests 29 June to 10 July, first merit list 22 July, classes from 17 August.
- Application fee: Rs. 3,000, non-refundable, plus Rs. 500 for each extra campus you add.
- Attempts: one. FAST's prospectus says each type of admission test can be taken only once per cycle.
- Where: computer-based, at every FAST campus: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Chiniot-Faisalabad and Multan.
The 2026 admission schedule
This is FAST's tentative undergraduate schedule for 2026, as it still appears on nu.edu.pk.
| Step | Undergraduate dates (2026) |
|---|---|
| Online application | 20 May (Wed) to 30 June (Tue) |
| Admission tests | 29 June (Mon) to 10 July (Fri) |
| Merit list of selected candidates | 22 July (Wed) |
| Admission formalities (fee, documents) | 27 July (Mon) to 13 August (Thu) |
| Classes begin | 17 August (Mon) |
Notice that the test window opens before applications close. You get a test slot once you've applied and paid, so applying near the deadline can leave you fewer dates to choose from.
What this means for 2027
In 2026 FAST's cycle ran apply in late spring, test in summer, start classes in August. If FAST keeps a similar timetable, the 2027 window will fall around your FSc Part-II exams and results. That's our reading of the pattern, not a FAST date. Don't plan around a specific day until FAST publishes the 2027 schedule on its Admission Schedule page.
What you can act on now: FAST tests you on the FSc maths course plus IQ and English, so your board exam preparation and your FAST preparation overlap far more than they do for most entry tests.
One attempt, not four
This is the biggest difference from NUST. NUST runs four NET series and counts your best score. FAST's prospectus says each type of admission test can be taken only once, and its Fall 2026 FAQ says you must pick one of three routes: the FAST (NU) admission test, the SAT, or NTS NAT.
So you don't get a practice attempt. Sit full-length papers under timed conditions before test day, not as part of the cycle. If you're weighing the SAT or NAT instead, see FAST test vs SAT vs NAT.
Who can apply
FAST's undergraduate minimums (Eligibility Criteria page):
| Programme group | Matric (SSC) | FSc (HSSC) | Required FSc subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computing (CS, Software Engineering, AI, Data Science, Cyber Security) | 60% | 50% | Mathematics |
| Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Computer) | 60% | 60% | Pre-Engineering (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) or ICS (Physics, Maths, Computer Science) |
| Business (BBA, Accounting & Finance, Business Analytics, FinTech) | 60% | 50% | None specified |
A few details matter here:
- Result awaited is fine. If you're waiting for your FSc or A Level result, you can apply. Your admission is provisional until you pass with the required marks.
- Pre-medical students can apply for Computing programmes if they've passed additional Mathematics or are waiting for that result.
- O and A Level students use the marks on their IBCC equivalence certificates.
- No age limit, no quotas. FAST's prospectus says admission is on merit only, with no reserved seats or donation seats.
How to apply, step by step
This is FAST's own process (How to Apply page, FAQ and prospectus):
- Apply online at admissions.nu.edu.pk. FAST doesn't accept forms by post or by hand.
- Note your ARN. The system gives you a unique Application Reference Number. You'll use it to check your status and merit later.
- Check every detail before paying. FAST's FAQ warns that changes after you pay may cost a processing charge, and false information can get your admission cancelled without a refund.
- Upload documents as JPG or JPEG files under 1 MB each. If an upload fails, FAST asks you to email admissions@nu.edu.pk.
- Pay the application fee at a designated bank (UBL or Faysal Bank) or online through Kuickpay, which also works from Easypaisa and JazzCash.
- Print your admit card. It shows your test roll number, date, time and campus.
- Reach the campus on time with your admit card. FAST says latecomers aren't allowed in and you shouldn't bring anything except the admit card.
FAST application fee
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application processing fee | Rs. 3,000 (non-refundable) |
| Each additional campus | Rs. 500 |
The Rs. 3,000 figure is in FAST's 2025 prospectus and also appears as the "Applicant Admission Fee" on the current Fee Structure page. Confirm it on the bank challan when you apply, since FAST can revise fees each year.
What you pay if you get in
These are separate from the application fee and only due once you accept a seat (Fee Structure page, 2026-27):
- Admission fee: Rs. 30,000, once, non-refundable.
- Security deposit: Rs. 20,000, refundable when you finish your degree.
- Tuition: Rs. 12,000 per credit hour. FAST has no fixed semester fee, so a 15-credit-hour semester is Rs. 180,000.
- Student Activities Fund: Rs. 2,500 per semester.
FAST's FAQ says need-based financial aid, interest-free loans and merit scholarships are available, and instalments are possible with campus approval.
What happens after the test
Selected candidates hear by SMS and email, and you can check your status on the admissions portal with your ARN.
Merit lists are made separately for each campus. For Computing and Business, your merit is 50% test, 40% FSc and 10% Matric. For Engineering it's 33%, 50% and 17%. The full calculation, with worked examples, is in our FAST aggregate guide, and you can try your own numbers in the FAST aggregate calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the FAST entry test 2027?
FAST hasn't announced its 2027 dates yet. In the 2026 cycle, undergraduate applications ran from 20 May to 30 June and the NU admission tests from 29 June to 10 July, with the first merit list on 22 July. Check nu.edu.pk/Admissions/Schedule for the 2027 schedule.
What is the FAST application fee?
FAST's 2025 prospectus puts the application processing fee at Rs. 3,000, and the current Fee Structure page lists the same amount. It is non-refundable. Adding another campus costs Rs. 500 more per campus.
Can I take the FAST entry test more than once?
No. FAST's prospectus says each type of admission test can be taken only once, and its Fall 2026 pages say you must pick one route: the FAST test, the SAT or NTS NAT. Unlike NUST NET, there is no best-of-several-attempts rule.
Can I apply to FAST before my FSc Part II result?
Yes. FAST says applicants awaiting their FSc, FA or A Level result can apply. Admission is provisional, and it is cancelled if you don't pass with the required marks.
Where is the FAST entry test held?
The test is computer-based and held at every FAST campus: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Chiniot-Faisalabad and Multan. Your admit card shows your campus, date and time.
Start preparing now
You have one attempt, and FAST deducts marks for wrong answers, so practise on the real format before test day:
- FAST-NU past papers: seven full-length papers on the BS CS/Engineering pattern, with every answer explained. FAST doesn't release its own papers; ours are prepared by ParhaiKrlo on the current pattern.
- FAST-NU mock tests: timed, full-length mocks.
- FAST entry test pattern and syllabus: the sections, the weights and what each one asks.
- FAST-NU preparation hub: everything for FAST in one place.
The dates here are FAST's 2026 schedule, checked on 9 October 2026. Always confirm on FAST's Admission Schedule page before you apply.