If you’re planning to study at a South African university, especially for competitive programs like engineering, medicine, or commerce, chances are you’ll need to take the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). These tests are designed to assess your academic readiness for university-level education and are often used alongside your National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.
Differences Between the AQL and MAT NBT Tests Explained
There are two types of NBT tests: AQL (Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy) and MAT (Mathematics). While some students only need to write the AQL, others must complete both. Understanding the key differences between these two tests is essential for proper preparation.
1. Purpose and Focus
AQL (Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy)
The AQL test is compulsory for all NBT candidates, regardless of their chosen program. It is designed to assess your general academic skills and ability to understand and engage with university-level material. The test is split into two components:
- Academic Literacy (AL): This section evaluates your reading comprehension, ability to interpret texts, and academic writing skills.
- Quantitative Literacy (QL): This part assesses your ability to reason and solve problems using basic mathematical concepts and real-life data.
The AQL is not based on the school curriculum but rather on skills that are expected at a tertiary level.
MAT (Mathematics)
The MAT test is only required for applicants to programmes that rely heavily on mathematics, such as engineering, actuarial science, physical sciences, and some health sciences. It focuses on problem-solving, reasoning, and conceptual understanding of high school mathematics (aligned with the Grade 12 curriculum).
It evaluates your ability to apply mathematical knowledge to more abstract or unfamiliar contexts than what you may encounter in standard school exams.
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2. Test Structure and Duration
- AQL Test: 3 hours long
- The test is multiple-choice and includes both the Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy sections.
- It typically consists of about 60 multiple-choice questions split between the two sections.
- MAT Test: 3 hours long
- Also multiple-choice, with around 60 questions based on Grade 12 maths concepts such as algebra, functions, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus (if covered at school).
Students who are required to write both tests will spend a full day at the testing centre—3 hours for AQL in the morning and 3 hours for MAT in the afternoon.
3. Skills Measured
| Skill Area | AQL | MAT |
|---|---|---|
| Reading skills | ✔️ Academic texts, comprehension | ❌ Not assessed |
| Writing skills | ✔️ Inference, argumentation | ❌ Not assessed |
| Basic maths | ✔️ Percentages, graphs, logic | ❌ Only basic; main focus is QL |
| Advanced maths | ❌ | ✔️ Algebra, functions, calculus, etc. |
| Problem-solving | ✔️ & ✔️ | ✔️ Strong focus |
4. Which Test Do You Need to Write?
- All NBT applicants must write the AQL test.
- You only need to write the MAT test if your university program specifically requires it. Check with the institution you’re applying to for exact requirements.
- For example:
- Medicine at UCT: AQL + MAT required
- BA in Psychology at Wits: AQL only
- For example:
5. Scoring and Results
- The results are scored on a scale that reflects levels of academic readiness:
- Proficient
- Intermediate
- Basic
- Universities use these results in different ways: some for placement purposes, others for selection decisions or for identifying students who may need additional academic support.
6. Preparation Tips
- For AQL:
- Practice reading academic texts and articles.
- Brush up on interpreting graphs, charts, and percentages.
- Use online NBT prep resources and sample questions.
- For MAT:
- Review your Grade 11 and 12 maths syllabus thoroughly.
- Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing steps.
- Practice applying knowledge in unfamiliar contexts.
Read more: How to Prepare for the NBTs in 2025: A Complete Study Plan
While both the AQL and MAT are part of the National Benchmark Tests, they measure very different skill sets. The AQL focuses on language and numeracy skills needed across all university programmes, while the MAT assesses mathematical ability for maths-intensive degrees. Knowing the difference helps you focus your preparation and approach each test with confidence.
