NED’s own 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus sets the merit score as 40% HSC Part-I + 60% NED Entry Test. A-Level applicants use their O-Level IBCC equivalence instead of HSC Part-I, and applicants who passed HSC in an earlier year use their complete HSC result with a 0.91% deduction. Matric is not part of the merit score.
Calculate your NED merit
Free · instant · no loginMatric (SSC) marks are not part of NED’s merit score. The entry test is out of 100 and you need at least 50 to qualify. If you sat the test twice, enter your higher score.
What entry test score do you need?
Set your target merit and we work backwards from your academic marks to the NED Entry Test score you need.
NED Merit Formula 2026: 40% HSC Part-I + 60% Entry Test
NED’s Undergraduate Prospectus 2026 (clause 4.4.1) defines the merit score for every undergraduate programme as:
The 40% academic part depends on where you are in your studies:
| Your situation | Academic marks used (40%) | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Appearing in HSC-II this year | HSC Part-I | None |
| A-Level, 12th Grade or other foreign exam | O-Level / 10th Grade marks from your IBCC equivalence certificate | None |
| Passed HSC in 2023, 2024 or 2025 | Complete HSC result | 0.91% deducted |
| Improvement or second attempt (even in the same year) | Complete HSC result | 0.91% deducted |
| Hafiz-e-Quran who passes the entry test | Any of the above | 1.82% added |
Matric (SSC) carries no weight in NED’s merit score. You still need your SSC certificate for document verification, but it does not change your merit.
The 1.82% Hafiz-e-Quran addition is worth 20 marks out of 1100, and the 0.91% deduction is worth 10 marks out of 1100.
How to Calculate Your NED Aggregate: Step-by-Step Guide
- Convert your academic marks to a percentage. Use HSC Part-I if your HSC-II result is awaited, your O-Level IBCC equivalence if you are an A-Level applicant, or your complete HSC result if you have already passed.
- Apply any adjustment. Subtract 0.91 if you passed HSC in 2023, 2024 or 2025 or took an improvement exam. Add 1.82 if you are Hafiz-e-Quran.
- Convert your entry test score to a percentage. The test is out of 100.
- Multiply and add. Academic percentage × 0.40, plus entry test percentage × 0.60.
Worked example: HSC-II result awaited
A student scores 480/550 in HSC Part-I and 70/100 in the NED Entry Test.
| Component | Marks | Percentage | Weightage | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NED Entry Test | 70 / 100 | 70.00% | 60% | 42.00 |
| HSC Part-I | 480 / 550 | 87.27% | 40% | 34.91 |
| Merit score | — | — | 100% | 76.91% |
Enter the same numbers in the calculator above and you will get 76.91%. The same student as a Hafiz-e-Quran would have 89.09% in the academic part (87.27 + 1.82) and a merit score of 77.64%.
Worked example: passed HSC in 2025
A student who passed HSC in 2025 with 950/1100, applying with 70/100 in the entry test:
| Component | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| HSC percentage | 950 ÷ 1100 × 100 | 86.36% |
| After 0.91% deduction | 86.36 − 0.91 | 85.45% |
| Academic points | 85.45% × 40% | 34.18 |
| Entry test points | 70% × 60% | 42.00 |
| Merit score | — | 76.18% |
NED Entry Test: Pattern, Sections and Pass Mark
The NED Pre-Admission Entry Test is a computer-based MCQ test with four sections of 25 marks each (100 marks in total). The sections depend on your HSC group:
| HSC group | Test sections |
|---|---|
| Pre-Engineering (Maths, Physics, Chemistry) and DAE | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Pre-Medical (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) | English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry |
| Computer Science (Maths, Physics, Computer Science) | English, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science |
| Computer Science (Maths, Statistics, Computer Science) | English, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science |
| Commerce | English, Accounting, Economics, Business Mathematics |
| Arts | English 1, English 2, Basic Mathematics, General Knowledge |
| Arts (Mathematics) | English 1, English 2, Mathematics (Pre-Engineering level), General Knowledge |
You need at least 50% to qualify. NED holds the test twice each cycle and you can sit both (each has its own fee). The higher of your two scores counts. Results from previous years are not accepted.
If two candidates have the same merit score, the higher entry test total wins. If that is also tied, NED compares section marks, starting with Mathematics (or Biology), then Physics/Statistics, then Chemistry/Computer Science.
NED Eligibility Criteria 2026: Minimum Marks by Programme
To apply to NED you must hold a Sindh domicile (reserved categories are the exception), and you must be appearing in HSC-II this year or have passed HSC within the last three years (2023, 2024 or 2025). The minimum marks are:
| Programme | Final HSC minimum | To apply with HSC Part-I |
|---|---|---|
| All BE programmes, B.Arch, BS Computer Science | 60% | 57% |
| All other BS programmes | 50% | 50% |
If you apply with HSC Part-I, your admission is provisional. You must submit your final HSC mark sheet (or IBCC certificate) by 30 October 2026 with at least 60% (or 50% for BS programmes that accept it). Otherwise your admission is cancelled.
Which programmes you can apply to depends on your HSC group:
| HSC group | Programmes you can apply to |
|---|---|
| Pre-Engineering | All undergraduate programmes |
| Pre-Medical | Biomedical Engineering, BS Computer Science, B.Arch and all BS programmes except Computational Finance (a non-credit Mathematics course may be required) |
| Computer Science (Maths, Physics, CS) | BS Computer Science, Management Sciences, Development Studies, Physics, English Linguistics, English, Computational Finance, Economics & Finance, Textile Sciences and B.Arch; all BE programmes if you pass a non-credit Chemistry course in first year |
| Computer Science (Maths, Statistics, CS) | BS Computer Science, Management Sciences, English Linguistics, English, Development Studies, Computational Finance, Economics & Finance |
| Arts (with Mathematics) | BS Computer Science, Development Studies, Management Sciences, English Linguistics, English, Economics & Finance, Computational Finance (SSC/O-Level must be in the Science group) |
| Commerce or Arts | BS Management Sciences, English Linguistics, English, Development Studies, Economics & Finance |
| DAE (SBTE, 60%+, within 3 years) | Selected BE programmes, including Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunication, Chemical, Petroleum, Textile, Automotive, Industrial & Manufacturing, Metallurgical, Materials and Polymer & Petrochemical |
You cannot change your HSC group after admission. The same rules apply to NED’s Thar Institute of Engineering, Sciences and Technology (TIEST).
NED Seat Categories: Why Your Board Matters
NED does not rank everyone on one list. It publishes separate merit lists for each admission category, and most categories are based on the board you passed HSC from. Your merit score only competes against other applicants in your own category.
| Category (2026) | Seats |
|---|---|
| HSC Pre-Engineering / CS / Arts-Math, Board of Intermediate Education Karachi | 1,480 |
| A-Level Pre-Engineering / CS / Arts-Math | 151 |
| HSC Pre-Medical, Board of Intermediate Education Karachi | 70 |
| Federal Board, Islamabad | 69 |
| Religious minorities | 49 |
| Differently-abled candidates | 14 |
Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, the Aga Khan Board and the Ziauddin Board each have their own smaller pool. There are also seats for DAE holders, rural areas of Karachi, outstanding sportsmen, children of NED staff and several nominee categories.
Self-finance seats have separate merit lists. The self-finance fee is Rs 890,000 plus 3% tax, and sponsored self-finance seats cost Rs 1,100,000 plus 3% tax. If you later get a regular seat, the self-finance fee is refunded.
NED Merit Impact: How Much Is Each Mark Worth?
The entry test carries 60% on a 100-mark scale, so each test mark counts for much more than a board-exam mark:
| Improvement | Change in merit score |
|---|---|
| +1 mark in the NED Entry Test (out of 100) | +0.60 points |
| +10 marks in HSC Part-I (out of 550) | +0.73 points |
| +10 marks in complete HSC (out of 1100) | +0.36 points |
| Hafiz-e-Quran addition | +0.73 points |
| Earlier-year (2023-2025) deduction | −0.36 points |
One extra entry test mark is worth about as much as eight extra HSC Part-I marks. Since you can sit the test twice and only the higher score counts, a second attempt is the most direct way to raise your merit.
NED Closing Merit: What Score Do You Need?
Closing merit is set separately for each programme within each admission category, so there is no single NED cut-off. High-demand computing programmes with fewer seats usually close higher than large engineering programmes.
NED moved from a 50/50 split to the current 40/60 split, so closing merits from older cycles are not directly comparable. Use the most recent official merit list for your programme and category as your benchmark, then use the required-score tool above.
How to Improve Your NED Merit Score
- Put most of your preparation into the entry test. It carries 60% of your merit score.
- Sit both test attempts if you can. Only the higher score counts, so a second attempt can only help.
- Prepare for your group’s sections. A Pre-Medical applicant sits Biology instead of Mathematics, and Commerce and Arts applicants have different sections entirely.
- Apply in the year you finish HSC if you can. Applying a year later means using your complete HSC result with a 0.91% deduction.
- Apply in every category you qualify for. There is no extra fee for additional categories except self-finance.
Common NED Merit Calculation Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding Matric marks. Matric has no weight in NED’s merit score.
- Using an old 50/50 formula. NED’s current formula is 40% academic and 60% entry test.
- Using complete HSC marks while your HSC-II result is still awaited. Result-awaiting applicants are ranked on HSC Part-I.
- Forgetting the 0.91% deduction. It applies if you passed HSC in 2023, 2024 or 2025 or took an improvement exam.
- Comparing your score with the wrong merit list. Each board and category has its own list and closing merit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NED merit formula?
40% HSC Part-I (or O-Level IBCC equivalence, or your complete HSC if you have already passed) plus 60% NED Entry Test, as set in clause 4.4.1 of NED’s Undergraduate Prospectus 2026.
Does NED count Matric marks in merit?
No. Matric (SSC) has no weight in NED’s merit score. It is only checked during document verification.
How many marks is the NED entry test?
100 marks: a computer-based MCQ test with four sections of 25 marks each. The sections depend on your HSC group.
What is the passing mark for the NED entry test?
50%. Candidates scoring below 50% do not qualify for admission.
Can I take the NED entry test twice?
Yes. NED holds the test twice each cycle and you can sit both, paying a separate fee each time. The higher score counts.
How is the NED aggregate calculated?
Academic percentage × 0.40 plus entry test percentage × 0.60. For example, HSC Part-I 480/550 and entry test 70/100 give 76.91%.
What is the Hafiz-e-Quran bonus at NED?
1.82% is added to your HSC or equivalent marks, which is 20 marks out of 1100, if you pass the entry test. You need an original Sanad from Wafaq-ul-Madaris and must pass NED’s Hafiz-e-Quran test.
What is the 0.91% deduction at NED?
Applicants who passed HSC in 2023, 2024 or 2025, or took an improvement or second attempt, have 0.91% (10 marks out of 1100) deducted from their HSC marks before merit is worked out.
What is the minimum percentage for NED engineering?
60% in HSC for all BE programmes, B.Arch and BS Computer Science. You can apply with 57% in HSC Part-I, but you must reach 60% in the final HSC result. Other BS programmes need 50%.
Can A-Level students apply to NED?
Yes. A-Level and other foreign-exam applicants are ranked on their O-Level (10th Grade) IBCC equivalence marks at 40% weight, plus the entry test at 60%. A-Level applicants also have their own seat category.
Is a Sindh domicile required for NED?
Yes, for most seats. Applicants must be domiciled in Sindh, except for certain reserved categories.
Is this the official NED merit?
No. This is an independent estimator built from NED’s own 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus and FAQ. NED publishes the official merit list for each category on its website.
Related calculators and guides
- All merit and aggregate calculators
- NED University CGPA calculator
- UET Lahore Merit Calculator
- GIKI Merit Calculator
- NUST Merit Calculator
- All 231 university calculators
Official NED Admission Links & Resources
These are NED University’s own pages and documents, including the ones this calculator’s formula and eligibility figures come from. They open in a new tab.
NED admissions
- NED Undergraduate AdmissionsAdmission portal, schedule, notices and merit lists.www.neduet.edu.pk/admission
- Undergraduate Prospectus 2026 (PDF)Chapter 4 sets the merit formula, Hafiz bonus and 0.91% deduction.www.neduet.edu.pk/sites/default/files/Admissions-2026/UGProspectus2026.pdf
- Undergraduate Admissions FAQ 2026 (PDF)Merit formula, entry test sections and eligibility by HSC group.www.neduet.edu.pk/sites/default/files/Admissions-2026/FAQ.pdf
- Distribution of Seats 2026 (PDF)Seats in every programme for each admission category.www.neduet.edu.pk/sites/default/files/Admissions-2026/Distribution_of_Seats.pdf
Equivalence and recognition
- IBCC PakistanEquivalence certificates for O/A-Level and other foreign qualifications.ibcc.edu.pk
- Higher Education Commission (HEC)Recognised universities and degree attestation in Pakistan.www.hec.gov.pk