Announcement for Applicants to the Graduate Admission Test (GAT)
Updated: July 06, 2022 For Students
ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
TESTING CENTER
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR APPLICANTS TO THE ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE ADMISSION TEST (GAT)
Candidates who have a plan to join the Addis Ababa University post graduate programs in any field of study are required to take and pass the Graduate Admission Test (GAT). To register for the test, candidates are advised to carefully read, understand and use the following information.
- What is GAT?
1.1 GAT is a computer-based Graduate Admission Test designed for the purpose of screening candidates who wish to pursue their post graduate studies at the Addis Ababa University. The test measures the cognitive abilities of candidates with emphasis on high academic abilities and talents such as understanding, analyzing, synthesizing, problem solving, critical thinking and the ability to evaluate and use information. More specifically, GAT measures verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning abilities.
1.2 The test is composed of a total of 125 multiple choice questions divided in to three sections namely verbal reasoning (60 questions), quantitative reasoning (40 questions), and analytical reasoning (25 questions) administered in three hours time.
1.3 Candidates with visual impairment are required to take verbal reasoning section only.
- How do candidates register for the GAT?
Candidates are required to register for the GAT at the Addis Ababa University GAT portal. To register for the test, candidates are advised to use the following information.
2.1 https://Portal.aau.edu.et [Open]
2.2 Apply for exam [click]
2.3 Test Taker Registration form [fill it]
2.4 Upload passport size photo [test taker’s photo]
2.5 Submit [Click]
2.6 Copy the generated number
2.7 Use CBE short code 242424 to pay the GAT testing fee of 600 birr/six hundred birr in candidate’s full name (Given name, father’s name, and grandfather’s name) with correct spelling. Foreign applicants are required to pay an equivalent of USD 50 testing fee in Ethiopian Birr. Please check for the up to date exchange rate at the bank.
2.8 Upload your recent photograph
2.9 Once paid, download and print your Admission Ticket. Admission Ticket is required to get admission to your exam hall.
2.10 Candidates are advised to check their test date on regular basis following their registration. Please follow further announcements on the Telegram: Testing Center_IER_AAU(https://t.me/aauGAT)
2.11 Candidates with special needs requiring special provisions are advised to consult the Testing Center in person.
- GAT Testing Schedule
3.1 GAT is administered in the months of November, December February, March, April, May and July every year. So far most candidates apply for the July testing. This makes the task challenging as the Center gets over stretched to arrange testing sessions for all applicants within a month so that those who pass the test meet the registration deadline by the Addis Ababa University Registrar’s Office. Hence, it is wise to take the test in the other months scheduled for the GAT.
3.2 GAT candidates’ name list together with information on test date, time and exam location/room shall be posted on the Addis Ababa University’s website aau.edu.et OR on the AAU Testing Center Telegram Channel. Candidates are advised to click on List of GAT Candidates on the announcement posted atAAU website or Telegram to view the information.
- Candidate registration number
4.1 Candidate registration number is available in the list of GAT candidates. Please keep note of the registration number for use on the test date. Candidates who are scheduled for the test but not assigned registration number on the list (which may happen in rare cases) can get the number from the invigilation staff on the test date.
4.2 No candidate can access the test without registration number.
- Arrival time on the test date
Candidates are advised to arrive at their respective testing location/ hall in time. Please arrive at the testing hall at 8:00am for the morning session and at1:30pm for the afternoon session.
- Materials required for testing
6.1 Candidates are required to have valid identification document (GAT Admission Ticket with photo on it, Passport, resident ID, Employee ID, Driving license, or School ID) bearing their full name and visible & recognizable photo clearly showing both ears and full face with no cover.
6.2 Candidates that do not have valid ID and GAT admission ticket will not be admitted to a testing hall.
6.3 Candidates are advised to bring a pen (for rough work) and standard calculator to the testing center.
6.4 The Center privies scratch papers for rough work.
6.5 Candidates that fail to take the test on the scheduled date can apply for the second chance paying the fees again and follow up their rescheduled testing date.
- Prohibited materials and unacceptable behavior during testing
7.1 Using mobile phones, cameras, alarm watches, headsets, calculators that access internet, wireless Bluetooth with audio/video functions and any other electronic devices are strictly forbidden during testing.
7.2 Materials such as books, notes, pamphlets, blank papers, etc; are not allowed during testing.
7.3 Taking the test for someone else.
7.4 Trying to cheat.
7.5 Eating or drinking in a testing hall.
7.6 Making noise and disturbing other candidates.
7.7 Candidates found using prohibited materials and exhibiting unacceptable behavior will be dismissed immediately and their scores will be cancelled; and their names shall be included in the black-list so that they won’t be allowed to sit for any test at the Addis Ababa UniversityTesting Center in the future.
- GAT results
8.1 Candidates can view their GAT scores/results on each of the three sections and the total score at the end of the test. Candidates are advised to keep note of their registration number, results and the date of the test as they may need such information for different purposes in the future.
8.2 The results of candidates will be immediately transferred to the Office of the Registrar. Hence, those who pass the test are advised to contact the registrar’s office for information on applying to different graduate programs at AAU.
- Passing Percentile Rank for GAT
9.1 The GAT result is reported in Percentile Rank. The passing percentile rank for candidates that apply for master’s program is 30 and above whereas applicants for PhD programs are required to get percentile rank of 40 and above.
9.2 Passing in GAT makes candidates eligible to apply for post graduate programs; it does not guarantee admission to any program. Departments that run graduate programs may use additional selection criteria for making decisions on admission. Please contact the Registrar’s office for the details.
- Validity period for GAT results
10.1 The GAT results are valid for two years.
10.2 Candidates that are accepted and registered for any post graduate program but wish to apply again for any reason are required to take the test again.
- How often can candidates take GAT in one academic year?
Candidates who could not get passing result in GAT can re-apply for the test. However, we strongly advise such candidates to get prepared at least for three months after taking the test. Such candidates need to pay the GAT registration fees for every test they take.