“NBT Exam!” If you’re applying to uni in South Africa, chances are you’ve heard whispers about the NBTs — the National Benchmark Tests. And if you’re anything like the students I work with, you’re probably wondering:
“Do I actually need to take them seriously?”
Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? Keep reading.
As your education partner, I am here for you. Here is the ultimate guide to the NBT exams: What they are & why they matter!
Table of Contents
What are the NBTs?
The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) were designed to assess how ready you are for university-level work — beyond just your school marks.
They don’t replace your matric results; they work with them to give universities a fuller picture of you as a student. They’re especially helpful because schools across SA vary so much in curriculum and teaching standards.
What are the 2 different exams?
There are two main tests, and depending on the uni and course you’re applying for, you might have to write one or both:
- AQL (Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy)
Think: reading, analysing, interpreting texts and data. - MAT (Mathematics)
Think: algebra, functions, calculus, geometry, trigonometry – applied in a real-world way.
The MAT test is only required for students applying to maths-heavy degrees like engineering, science, commerce, or health sciences.
The AQL is usually compulsory for everyone.
The AQL Exam Details
- The NBT AQL test stands for Academic Literacy Test and is designed to assess a student’s language skills. The following list is a detailed scope of all topics you can be assessed on.
- Negotiate meaning at word, sentence, paragraph and whole-text level;
- Understand discourse and argument structure and the text “signals” that underlie this structure;
- Extrapolate and draw inferences beyond what has been stated in text;
- Separate essential from non-essential and super-ordinate from sub-ordinate information;
- Understand and interpret visually encoded information, such as graphs, diagrams and flow-charts;
- Understand and manipulate numerical information;
- Understand the importance and authority of own voice;
- Understand and encode the metaphorical, non-literal and idiomatic bases of language; and
- Negotiate and analyse text genre.
Each NBT AL test comprises approximately 75 multiple-choice questions. All these questions are
developed on the basis of the specifications deriving from the NBT AL abilities that were presented
above.
The MAT Exam Details
MAT stands for Mathematics, and it’s not just your standard school exam. The goal?
To check how well you:
- Solve unfamiliar problems
- Apply concepts to new situations
- Think logically and strategically
It’s multiple choice, yes — but don’t let that fool you. It’s designed to challenge you beyond memorisation.
Topics it covers:
- Algebra
- Functions
- Calculus
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Data handling & problem solving
It’s testing:
- Critical thinking
- Pattern spotting
- Maths reasoning
- Application of concepts, not just recall
Why do Universities care about your NBT results?
Univeristy isn’t school. It’s faster, more independent, and expects you to make sense of things on your own.
The NBTs help universities:
- Decide who needs academic support from day one
- Place students in appropriate programmes or extended degrees
- Understand if you’re ready for the type of thinking required in your course
- Spot gaps in learning that may not be obvious from school marks alone
Why YOU should care about your NBT score
Your NBT results can:
- Strengthen your application if you’ve had a rough Grade 11/12
- Set you up for success by making sure you’re placed in the right course level
- Avoid last-minute panic if you’re only relying on matric to carry you
More than anything — being prepared for the NBTs gives you confidence. And that’s gold.
How to prepare
Let’s be honest — you’ve already got school stress, exams, applications… adding the NBTs can feel like a lot. But you don’t have to go it alone.
Here’s what I offer at LDT Learning Solutions:
- One-on-one or group prep for both AQL and MAT
- Practice questions and mock papers
- Breakdown of tricky topics
- Strategies for multiple-choice logic (especially when you’re stuck)
- Support to help you feel in control, not overwhelmed
In summary…
The NBTs aren’t here to trip you up.
They’re here to make sure you don’t walk into uni unprepared.
The MAT test, in particular, is key for students heading into maths-heavy fields — and knowing what to expect (and how to prep) can make a massive difference to your results and your confidence.
We would love to help you prepare for your NBTs and succeed – book a workshop now.
You’ve got this.
