{"id":641,"date":"2026-03-16T00:24:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T00:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/?p=641"},"modified":"2026-09-18T02:23:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T02:23:52","slug":"nbt-test-dates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/nbt-test-dates\/","title":{"rendered":"NBT Test Dates 2026 for the 2027 Intake: How to Book Your Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The National Benchmark Tests as part of the admission process for certain degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tests measure academic readiness for university level study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They assess three main areas which are Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students who apply to competitive programs <\/a>such as commerce, engineering, or health sciences may be required to submit NBT results before admission decisions are made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tests are administered by the National Benchmark Test Project at the University of Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students must register and book their test through the official NBT website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When are the NBT test dates for the 2027 intake?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are applying to university for 2027, you write the NBT in one of the sessions the NBT Project scheduled from May 2026 to January 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2027 intake cycle began on 9 May 2026 and runs until 9 January 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This schedule allows students to write the test before university application deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many sessions are scheduled on Saturdays and some sessions are offered on Sundays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NBT venue list (updated 23 April 2026) gives these pencil-and-paper sessions for the 2027 intake. Sessions marked (Sunday) run on a Sunday:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. 9 May 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. 16 May 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. 30 May 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. 6 June and 7 June (Sunday) 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. 27 June 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. 4 July and 5 July (Sunday) 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. 11 July 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. 18 July 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. 1 August and 2 August (Sunday) 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. 15 August 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. 22 August 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. 29 August 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. 12 September 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. 26 September 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. 3 October 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. 10 October 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. 9 January 2027<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  18. Not every venue offers every date, so check the venue list before you book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  19. Sessions after mid-September 2026 are 26 September, 3 October, 10 October and 9 January 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Some online sessions are also available during the testing cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The NBT Project also scheduled online sessions for the 2027 intake on 20 June, 25 July and 5 September 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Students must select their preferred date when booking the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How do you book an NBT test online?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Students must book their test online through the official NBT registration system. Registration normally takes about ten minutes to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Students must follow several steps during the booking process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Visit the NBT booking page<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Start the test registration process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Enter personal details such as your full name and ID number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Choose the city where you want to write the test.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Select a test venue from the available options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Choose a test date from the available sessions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Confirm your booking details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Save or print your booking confirmation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      The system generates an EasyPay reference number after the booking is completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This number is used to pay the NBT registration fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Where can students write the NBT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The NBT can be written at physical test centres or through approved online sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Test venues are located in many cities and provinces across South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Universities and schools often host test sessions during the testing period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Examples of venues used for testing include university campuses and approved secondary schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Students select their preferred venue during registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The available venues are listed on the official NBT website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Students can view the schedule and locations through the NBT test information page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What information do you need before booking the NBT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Students must prepare several details before starting the registration process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The official NBT website lists several items required for booking the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      These include the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. A valid South African ID document or passport for international students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. A personal email address for communication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. The city and venue where you want to write the test.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. The test date you want to book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Information about the NBT requirements of the universities where you plan to apply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. A pen and paper to record your login details and EasyPay number.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        The username used during registration is normally your ID number or passport number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Students should ensure their personal details match their official identification documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How early should students book their NBT test?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Students should book their test several weeks before university application deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The NBT Project advises students to choose a test date that allows enough time for results to be processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Students should allow about three weeks for results to be available before submission deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Some institutions may require results earlier depending on the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Students who register early have a better chance of securing a seat at their preferred venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Early booking also allows students to rewrite the test if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Can you change your NBT test booking after registering?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Students can change their test date or venue through the NBT booking system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This can be done by logging into the same account used during registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The login details created during booking allow students to manage their test information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Students may update the following details through the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Test date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Test venue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Personal contact details.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Changes must be made before the registration deadline for the selected test session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Students who miss their scheduled test must register again and pay a new test fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          How do students check their NBT results after writing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          NBT results are released online after the tests have been marked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Students can access their scores through the official NBT results portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Students must log in using the username and password created during registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The system displays results for Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Universities that require the NBT also receive the results through the official NBT reporting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The National Benchmark Tests as part of the admission process for certain degrees. These tests measure academic readiness for university […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":637,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_ba_keyfacts":"","_ba_provider_contact":"","_ba_provider_name":"","_ba_provider_type":"","_ba_provider_cat":"","_ba_writer":"pieter-van-der-merwe","_ba_reviewer":"naledi-khumalo","iawp_total_views":128,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nbt"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=641"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":739,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions\/739"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}