NBT Registration 2026: How to Register for Your Test Online
Many universities in South Africa require the National Benchmark Tests as part of the admission process for certain degrees.
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These tests measure a student’s readiness for university level study and assess skills such as academic literacy, quantitative literacy, and mathematics.
Students who plan to apply to universities such as the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, or Wits may be required to submit NBT results before admission decisions are made.
Registration for the test is done online through the official National Benchmark Test Project website.
Students must register early so that their results are available before university application deadlines.
How do I register for the NBT online?
NBT registration is completed online through the official NBT booking system.
Students must visit the National Benchmark Test Project booking portal to start the registration process.
The system will guide you through several steps to create your test booking. The process normally takes about ten minutes to complete.
Follow these steps to register for the test.
- Go to the official NBT booking page.
- Click the option to begin the test booking process.
- Enter your personal details such as your full name and ID number.
- Choose the city and test venue where you want to write the test.
- Select a test date from the available schedule.
- Confirm your registration information.
- Download or print your registration confirmation after completing the process.
Your confirmation document will include your NBT reference number which is used for payment and login access.
What do you need before registering for the NBT?
Students should prepare several documents and details before starting the registration process.
This helps avoid mistakes during the online application.
The NBT Project lists the following requirements for registration.
- A South African identity document or passport for international students.
- A valid personal email address for communication.
- The city and test venue where you want to write the test.
- The date you want to write the test.
- Information about the NBT requirements of the universities where you plan to apply.
- A pen and paper to record your login details and EasyPay reference number.
The username used for registration is usually your ID number or passport number.
Students must ensure that their name during registration matches the name on their official ID document.
When should you register for the NBT?
Students should register as early as possible before university deadlines.
NBT test sessions normally run from May until the first Saturday in January each year.
Most universities require NBT results before the end of the application cycle.
Students are advised to register at least one month before the test date.
This allows enough time for results to be processed and sent to universities.
The NBT Project also recommends allowing at least three weeks for results to be available before university deadlines.
Registering early also helps students secure a seat at their preferred test venue.
Can you change your NBT test date after registering?
Students can change their test date or venue through the online system.
This can only be done before the booking deadline for that specific test session.
The same login details created during registration are used to access your account.
These details allow you to update personal information or modify your booking.
Changes cannot be made once registration closes for that test date.
Students who miss their scheduled test must register again and pay another test fee.
How do you pay the NBT registration fee?
After completing the online registration, the system generates an EasyPay reference number. This number is used to pay the test fee.
Payment is normally completed through EasyPay using the reference number provided during registration.
Students can pay using two main options.
- Pay online through the EasyPay website using the reference number.
- Pay in person at EasyPay paypoints such as retail stores that accept EasyPay payments.
Payment confirmation is required before test results can be released.
Students must keep their payment receipt as proof of payment.
Where can you write the NBT in South Africa?
The NBT can be written at physical test venues or through remote online sessions.
The list of available test centres is published on the official NBT website.
Students choose their test city and venue during registration. Most test sessions are scheduled on Saturdays.
Some Sunday sessions are also offered at major test sites.
Students will receive confirmation of their test venue through email and SMS.
This confirmation normally arrives two days before the scheduled test date.
What happens after you complete NBT registration?
After registration and payment are completed, the booking is confirmed in the system.
Students must keep their login details to access their account later.
These login details allow students to check registration information or update their booking.
The confirmation document issued during registration contains the EasyPay reference number and booking details.
Students must arrive early at the test venue on the scheduled test day with their official ID document.
Results are released online after the test has been marked.
Students can access their scores through the official results portal using their login details.
Universities that require the NBT will also receive the results through the official NBT system.
