The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) were commissioned by Higher Education South Africa (HESA) with the task of assessing academic readiness of first year university students as a supplement to secondary school reports on learning achieved in content specific courses.
The NBTs assess the ability to combine aspects of prior learning in competency areas - Academic Literacy (AL), Quantitative Literacy (QL) and Mathematics (MAT) - that directly impact on success of first year university students. AL and QL are combined in the AQL test and written in a three hour morning session; the MAT is written in a three hour afternoon session. Both are administered under standardized testing conditions at sites across South Africa on designated ‘national’ test dates.
Click here to access the NBT website.