How to Get Into IST: 2026 Admissions Guide
60% in FSc (Pre-Engineering / ICS) for Engineering. Merit formula is 40% Matric + 60% FSc. No mandatory in-house entry test; multiple national test attempts are accepted.
Application Timeline
For the 2026 academic year, IST's application window is open for the Fall session. The primary admission drive occurs between March-June.
Entry Test Details
Securing admission highly depends on your performance in the NAT / NET / ECAT / ETEA / SAT / ACT. Make sure you prepare specifically for this format, as it usually carries a massive weightage in the final merit calculation.
Pro Tip for IST
Try to gather all your intermediate equivalence certificates and domicile paperwork long before the March-June window opens so you aren't delayed on submission day.
Institute of Space Technology (IST) Islamabad The Institute of Space Technology (IST) is a highly specialized public university based in Islamabad, focusing almost entirely on space sciences including aerospace and avionics, and other modern computing disciplines.
Getting into the Institute of Space Technology (IST) is highly competitive but entirely possible with the right strategy. IST relies heavily on recognized national tests, such as NAT, NET, or ECAT.
Admissions and Merit
To accommodate a wide array of applicants across the nation, IST accepts several major entrance examinations rather than solely relying on its own proprietary test. For its engineering tracks, candidates can submit scores from the NAT, HAT, NET (NUST), ECAT, ETEA, MUET/NED tests, or the internationally recognized ACT. The merit evaluation for standard engineering disciplines generally follows a 20/40/40 aggregate split, combining Matriculation, Intermediate, and the accepted Entry Test score to finalize the candidate's ranking.
Understanding the IST Admissions (Entry Tests)
The admission process is conducted primarily for the Fall intake.
- For Fall: March to End of June
- Computer-based: The tests are held at designated national test centers across Pakistan.
- Best Score Counts: You can take multiple valid test sessions and use your highest score.
Merit Calculation Formula
IST uses a very specific aggregate formula for its undergraduate engineering programs:
- Accepted Entry Test Score: 40% weightage
- Academic Scores (HSSC & Matric): 60% weightage