What is the GAT & Who Takes It?
The General Aptitude Test (GAT), or Qudurat, is required for university admission in Saudi Arabia. Candidates can take the computer-based or paper-based test up to four times. For those outside Saudi Arabia, only computer-based exams are available at select centres, such as London and Manchester, subject to Qiyas regulations and availability. Test locations and policies may change, so candidates should check the Qiyas website for updates. GAT results are valid for five years and assess critical, evaluative, and deductive thinking skills.
The significance of the GAT varies among universities, but it typically accounts for 30-50% of the overall admissions criteria. The other factors include a student's school GPA, which usually makes up 10-30%, and SAAT scores, weighted between 30-40%.
Some highly competitive programmes (such as medicine, engineering, and health-related degrees) require considerably higher GAT scores. Admission requirements and levels of competition vary by university and programme.
The GAT is only available to students in grade 11 and 12, which means students between the ages of 16 and 18. Students can either take a computer-based test, which can be taken at any time during an academic year, or a paper-based test, which must take place on a specific date, usually in December. The computer-based test can be attempted up to four times, whereas the paper-based test can only be taken once. Students can register for the test through the National Centre for Assessment (Qiyas) website.
Structure of the Test
The General Aptitude Test is split into two sections: Verbal and Quantitative. There are 120 questions overall; 68 are verbal and 52 are quantitative. Students are given 2 hours to complete the test, which is split into four to five sections, each of which takes 25 minutes, switching between verbal and quantitative questions. The GAT is multiple-choice, meaning students have a choice of four to five answers for each question.
Regarding the verbal section, 5 topic areas are assessed: analogy, sentence completion, contextual error, ‘odd one out’ and reading comprehension. There are also 5 topics that are tested in the quantitative section: algebra, arithmetic, data interpretation, geometry and comparison.
How it Compares to the UK Curriculum
The vast majority of the questions and topics that are examined during the GAT should be familiar to students within the UK schooling system. Anecdotally, the overall difficulty is slightly lower than that of a standard GCSE paper.
In terms of the quantitative section, the material should be familiar to GCSE mathematics students, with topics including algebra, angles and ratio questioned. Regarding the verbal section, it shares many similarities with a verbal reasoning or an English paper; students who have taken the CAT4 exam or an ISEB pre-test at Year 6 should be familiar with these types of questions.
Understanding the Nature of the GAT
The GAT is designed to assess how students think rather than what they have memorised. Question writers focus on logical reasoning, accuracy, and performance under time pressure.
Common mistakes often arise from misunderstanding the question format rather than weak subject knowledge.
High-scoring students are those who can apply reasoning effectively under exam conditions.
Preparation should therefore focus on mastering question styles and strategies, not memorising vocabulary or formulas.
Sample Questions
There is a large selection of previous tests online, generally referred to as Tajmeeat. These provide a clear indication of the types of questions that may appear.
The Verbal Section
Analogy
These questions test students’ ability to identify the relationship between words.
Q: Rain : wet
A: Pillow : warm
B: Shoe : large
C: Fruit : ripe
D: Brick : hard
Q: Paper : tree
A: Fruit : apple
B: Dog : cat
C: Tree : seed
D: Sofa : cushion
Sentence Completion
Q: Although there is no proven link between ultra-processed foods and obesity, many scientists _____ that the modern diet poses many potential problems.
A: Realise
B: Wonder
C: Believe
D: Tell
Contextual Error
These questions ask students to find the error in the sentence.
Q: Even though cheetahs are rapid, theycan outrun planes.
A: They
B: Can
C: Planes
The Odd One Out
Q: Find the odd word among the following:
A: happiness
B: wonder
C: miserable
D: antipathy
Reading Comprehension
In recent years, urban green spaces have become increasingly important to residents and city planners alike. They offer more than just aesthetic appeal; they provide environmental benefits including improved air quality, reduced urban heat, and support for local wildlife. For many city dwellers, such spaces also serve as vital areas for exercise, relaxation, and social interaction.
However, maintaining green spaces in densely populated cities comes with its challenges. Limited land availability, high maintenance costs, and competing demands for housing and infrastructure can place pressure on local governments. In spite of these obstacles, cities that invest in accessible green areas tend to see long-term benefits, such as improved public health and stronger community connections.
Q: In the first paragraph, the word “vital” means:
A: Essential or necessary
B: Decorative or attractive
C: Temporary or short-term
D: Rarely used
Q: In the second paragraph, the phrase ‘competing demands’ suggest:
A: Green spaces are unimportant
B: There is a limited amount of space in cities
C: The public are not interested in green spaces
D: Housing is universally acknowledged as more important than green spaces
The Quantitative Section
Algebra
Q: Find the value of x:
X + 2/5 = 0
A: 2
B: -2
C: 2/5
D: -2/5
Comparison
Q: Compare:
1 - 5/6 - 1/2
2 - 3/4 - 3/8
A) Value of 1 is greater
B) Value of 2 is greater
C) The two values are equal
D) The given information is not sufficient to make a conclusion
Arithmetic
These questions can comprise of a huge range of topics, all examining students’ abilities in arithmetic.
Q: In a store, the ratio of pencils to rubbers is 8:3. If there are 40 more pencils than rubbers, how many pencils are there in the store?
A: 56
B: 40
C: 80
D: 64
Q: A man bought two jackets; their original prices were 900 SAR and 600 SAR. He received a 25% discount on the second jacket. What is the total percentage of discount on the two jackets from the original price?
A: 1%
B: 25%
C: 15%
D: 10%
Data Interpretation
These questions tend to present tables, graphs or pie charts representing a host of values. Students may be asked to decipher the information on the diagram, possibly asking for the value representing the range, mean, median or mode.
Geometry
These questions often focus on students’ knowledge of topics including angles, circles and shapes. They often present a diagram with a missing angle, and ask students to find the value of that angle.
How to Prepare for the Test
Due to the importance of students’ marks in the GAT, thorough preparation is vital. Candidates should possess a strong understanding of the relevant topics in both English and mathematics, as well as experience with multiple-choice tests under timed conditions. Time management plays a critical role in GAT performance. Once a student completes a section, they are not permitted to return to it, even if time remains. Reviewing answers must therefore be done immediately within each section.
There are several helpful literary resources which we would recommend:
- Kaplan: Logical and quantitative reasoning
- McGraw-Hill: Verbal and mathematical reasoning
- Khan Academy: Math foundations for quantitative reasoning
These teach helpful approaches to topics students should expect to see, as well as containing practice questions.
Additionally, Keystone provide specialist tutors for these exams, who are experienced and can guide candidates through the entire process. For more details on how Keystone can help with preparation for the GAT, feel free to call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.