The Graduate Admission Test (GAT) is an Ethiopian national exam required for admission to postgraduate programs. It is a general aptitude test designed to assess verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning abilities as predictors of success in graduate studies. GAT exam results help to screen and identify candidate that are eligible to apply for admission to a graduate program in any public and private university in the country. 

GAT Exam is divided into three sections, each targeting a specific aspect of reasoning. The first section is dedicated to verbal reasoning. It assesses candidates’ ability to understand and analyze written passages, comprehend complex ideas, draw inferences, and evaluate arguments. The second section focuses on quantitative reasoning, which measures the test takers’ proficiency in understanding and interpreting numerical data, solving mathematical problems, and applying quantitative concepts. The third section focuses on analytical reasoning. It gauges the candidates’ capacity to analyze and evaluate logical relationships, recognize patterns, and draw conclusions based on given information.

Administration of GAT Exam

The administration of the GAT is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Addis Ababa University (AAU), the Institute of Educational Research (IER) – Testing Center, Ethio-telecom, and public universities. The test is conducted digitally through AAU’s testing portal at gat.aau.edu.et and scored automatically. The digital format of the GAT offers several advantages, including enhanced efficiency, streamlined test administration, and automated scoring processes. Test takers are required to take the test in designated computer labs at public universities, ensuring standardized conditions for all participants.

About the Exam

• The Graduate Admission Test (GAT) is composed of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, (60 questions), Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions) and Analytical Reasoning (25 questions). Each of these tests lasts for one hour and you will need to stay working on the actual exams for three hours. Students with Visual impairment will work only the Verbal Reasoning Section. Before starting your actual exam you are required to fill out a brief survey questionnaire. The system will not let you take the exam unless you complete the survey.

• While working on the Verbal Reasoning sub-test you can move forward or backwards to correct your earlier Once the 60 minutes is finished you will have no access to the Verbal Reasoning Section. Rather the system will automatically redirect you to the second sub-test on Quantitative Reasoning and you will work for 60 minutes where your time will count down and deny you access to this section by the end of the hour. The same principle applies to the third section on Analytical Reasoning for one hour. At the end of the three hours test you will be immediately notified about your raw scores. You need to wait for more than two weeks until all test takers complete the GAT to get the cut-off score for passing the GAT test. Cut off score for passing the GAT will be notified by the AAU web-site.

Note: the score on GAT is not the only requirement for admission into the graduate program. The minimum required score on GAT is a prerequisite for department level examination. Hence, after getting the pass score on the GAT each candidate shall sit for department level testing.

Responsibilities of GAT Test Takers

• Please identify your respective testing site ahead of time, preferably one day before the test date.
• You can bring your own calculator to the exam hall to do the Quantitative Section. However, you are not allowed to bring any calculator that has facilities of copying or sending /receiving information.
• You will be given scratch papers for the quantitative and Analytical Sections where you are required to write your full name and registration number on the top of each page of the scratch papers. Before leaving the exam hall each candidate is expected to submit all scratch papers to the invigilators. No test taker is allowed to take the scratch papers with them. Defiance to all instructions associated with the GAT administration shall have serious consequences when and if reported by the test supervisor/s.

• You are required to produce valid identification document (e.g. passport, Kebele/Woreda ID card, driving license, employee ID card). No candidate shall be admitted to a testing hall unless he/she produces valid identification document, GAT-admission ticket and Bank receipt showing the payment of 1000 birr to take the GAT. Covering the face is not allowed except using face masks. The test taker should uncover his/her face mask or other covering material during checking by the test supervisor.
• You are required to show your ID card to the gate keeping security staff at your respective testing site. Please don’t leave your identification document at the gate as you need it for admission to the testing hall.
• Please print out your Admission Ticket and keep it with you during testing. Invigilators will check your Admission Ticket with your identification card and your personal details on the computer screen during testing. Please place them on your desk ready for this validation process.
• Keep note of your password as it is essential for logging Never share your password to any other person.
• Candidates scheduled for morning session testing, are required to arrive at their respective testing site at 8:00 am/2 hours in the morning in local time/ whereas candidates scheduled for the afternoon session testing are required to arrive at their respective testing site at 1:00 pm/7 hours in the afternoon in local time/. Test takers who are late by 30 minutes will not be allowed to enter to the testing hall.
• After passing the check point at the gate of the test site, you need to proceed to the testing hall immediately.
• It is important that you should follow instructions given by the supervisor and invigilators of your test center.
• Any attempt of cheating on the exam, sharing answers with other, or copying the test materials using any form shall have serious legal consequences.

Materials prohibited in the testing hall

• Any electronic device including mobile phone, smart watches, camera, or other electric devices are strictly prohibited in the exam If such materials are brought to the testing hall, they need to be kept in personal bags at locations designated by the supervisor/invigilators. It is strictly forbidden to keep such materials in pocket or on the desk.
• You need to bring a bag or a name identifier plaster to tag your name with your phone or other materials.
• Books, handouts, pamphlets, scratch papers or any material in hard or soft copies are prohibited
• Food and drinks are not allowed in the testing

Contents of the GAT

1. Verbal reasoning section

The verbal reasoning contains mainly the following types of questions:

• Reading comprehension
• Sentence completion
• Vocabulary
• Sentence equivalence
• Grammar

2. Quantitative reasoning section

Quantitative reasoning contains the basic mathematical facts and concepts. It tests your ability and being able to apply these mathematical facts to real world scenarios. It contains:

• Percentage, ratio, age problems, …
• Squares, square roots, exponential laws, logarithm, …
• Word problems that involves equations with one or two variables
• Linear equations in one and two variables, inequalities,
• Perimeter, area, volume, polygons,
• Mean, median, variance, …

3. Logical reasoning section

Logical/ analytical reasoning questions include:

• Syllogism(Valid deductive argument)
• Small paragraph understanding
• Interpretation of graphs, histogram, line chart, pie-chart, …