{"id":647,"date":"2026-03-16T09:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T09:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/?p=647"},"modified":"2026-09-18T02:23:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T02:23:54","slug":"nbt-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/nbt-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"NBT Preparation: How to Study for National Benchmark Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The National Benchmark Tests are standardized assessments used by many universities in South Africa during the admission process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tests measure whether a student is academically prepared for university level study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/nbt-online-test-requirements\/\">assessments <\/a>focus on skills that students need during their first year at university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These skills include Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students who apply to competitive programs such as commerce, engineering, and health sciences are often required to submit NBT results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tests are administered by the National Benchmark Test Project at the University of Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What subjects are tested in the National Benchmark Tests?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The NBT measures three important academic skill areas used in university learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each test focuses on problem solving and understanding information rather than memorizing school content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The three NBT sections are the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Academic Literacy which measures reading comprehension, language understanding, and academic reasoning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quantitative Literacy which measures the ability to work with numbers and interpret data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mathematics which measures mathematical reasoning and problem solving.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Most students must write the Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy test together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students who apply to mathematics based programs may also be required to write the Mathematics test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Universities decide which NBT sections are required for each program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How should students prepare for the NBT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>NBT preparation focuses on developing academic skills rather than memorizing specific school topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The official NBT Project explains that the test measures reasoning and understanding rather than curriculum knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can prepare by improving their reading, analysis, and problem solving skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can follow these preparation strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Read academic articles and practice understanding complex texts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice interpreting tables, graphs, and numerical information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review basic mathematics concepts such as algebra and number relationships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice answering multiple choice questions under timed conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve vocabulary and academic language understanding.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should begin preparation several weeks before their test date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consistent practice helps improve confidence and time management during the exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there official NBT preparation materials?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. The National Benchmark Test Project provides official preparation materials on its website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can access preparation guides and practice examples on the <a href=\"https:\/\/nbt.ac.za\/content\/faq-0#faqs-panel_pane_1-10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBT preparation resources page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These resources explain how each test section works. The guides also provide examples of the types of questions used in the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can download preparation documents that explain the format of the exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The resources also explain how answers are evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What types of questions appear in the NBT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The NBT uses multiple choice questions to assess academic skills. Each question tests reasoning and understanding rather than memorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students must select the correct answer from several options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Different types of questions appear in the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reading comprehension questions based on academic texts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Questions that require interpreting graphs and tables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mathematical reasoning problems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Language and vocabulary questions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logical reasoning questions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Students must carefully read each question and evaluate the answer options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Time management is important because the test includes many questions within a limited time period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long is the National Benchmark Test?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The NBT is written in two separate test sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first session is the Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy test. This test normally lasts three hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second session is the Mathematics test for students who require it. This session also lasts about three hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The two tests are usually written on the same day at scheduled times. The details of the schedule is published <a href=\"https:\/\/nbt.ac.za\/sites\/default\/files\/NBT%20test%20venues%202026%20intake_1.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nbt.ac.za\/sites\/default\/files\/NBT%20test%20venues%202026%20intake_1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students must arrive early if they are writing the test at a physical venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students writing online must log in early for identity verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When should students start preparing for the NBT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should start preparing at least one to two months before the test date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early preparation allows students to improve the academic skills measured in the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students who prepare early also feel more confident during the exam. Preparation should include regular reading and problem solving practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should also practice answering questions within a time limit. This helps build the speed required for the actual test session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should schedule their test early through the <a href=\"https:\/\/nbt.ac.za\/content\/book-test-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBT booking page<\/a> so they have enough time to prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do students access their NBT results after writing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>NBT results are released online after the tests have been marked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can access their results through the official <a href=\"https:\/\/nbt.ac.za\/content\/nbt-results\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBT results portal<\/a>. Students must log in using the same details created during registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The system displays performance levels for each section of the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Universities that require the NBT also receive the results directly through the official NBT reporting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The National Benchmark Tests are standardized assessments used by many universities in South Africa during the admission process. The tests [&hellip;]<\/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":47,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-647","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\/647","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=647"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":648,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/647\/revisions\/648"}],"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=647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}