Overview
Tahsili, in English the Standard Achievement Admission Test (SAAT), is a Saudi Arabian university admission test run by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas) under the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC). It is an achievement test: it checks how much of the secondary-school science curriculum a student has learned, unlike the General Aptitude Test (Qudurat), which measures general reasoning.
The ETEC web pages for the test could not be read when this page was reviewed, so the details below come from published guides that describe the official test. Confirm the current format, dates and fees with ETEC before registering.
Who can apply
The test is aimed at secondary-school students and recent graduates, mainly on the scientific track, who want to enter Saudi universities. It is typically needed for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, computer science, sciences and other health and science programmes. Programmes outside these areas often do not require it, so check the rules of your target university and programme.
Exam pattern
The test covers four subjects, drawn from the final three years of the secondary science curriculum:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Delivery may be computer-based or paper-based depending on the cycle, and the exact duration and number of questions should be checked in ETEC's instructions for the current cycle.
Marking and results
Universities usually build a composite admission score from school GPA, the Qudurat score and, for programmes that require it, the Tahsili score. Each university and programme sets its own weighting and cut-offs. Students can generally retake the test, and the best valid score is used. There is no single national validity period: universities set how long a score stays acceptable.
Important dates
The test is usually offered in more than one session each year. Dates change every cycle and are announced by ETEC, so check the current schedule.
Fees
The fee is set by ETEC and can change by cycle. Check the registration platform for the current amount.
How to apply
Registration is handled by ETEC through its online tests registration platform. Do not rely on old social-media posts or coaching summaries for dates and rules.
FAQs
What is the difference between Tahsili and Qudurat?
Qudurat tests general verbal and quantitative reasoning. Tahsili tests mastery of secondary-school biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.
Is Tahsili compulsory for every programme?
No. It is mainly needed for science and health programmes, and each university sets its own requirements.