GAT (Qudurat)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The General Aptitude Test (GAT), known in Arabic as اختبار القدرات العامة (Qudurat), is an aptitude examination used in Saudi Arabia to measure the reasoning skills that underlie academic study rather than memorised subject content. It is most often associated with university admission and with selection decisions made by Saudi institutions, and candidates usually sit it in the final years of secondary school or shortly before applying. Each institution sets its own requirement, so confirm the exact one with the body you are applying to. The exam is organised into two broad domains: a Verbal section, covering Arabic reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, sentence completion and verbal analogy, and a Quantitative section covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data interpretation. The published profile gives the two domains comparable weight, so neither can be carried by the other. Because the test is timed and reasoning-based, preparation is mostly about fluency and strategy rather than content coverage: learn the recurring question patterns, practise short timed sets, and keep an error log that records why each mistake happened. Candidates should confirm the current format, timing, question counts, fees and retake rules with the official administrator before booking, because these details were not verified for this page. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the official testing body.
What you'll study
About GAT (Qudurat) preparation
Who is the GAT for?
Typically it is taken by secondary-school students and other applicants who need an aptitude score for admission to Saudi universities and colleges. Requirements differ by institution and by programme, so check the admission page of the university you are targeting before you register, and confirm whether it accepts the score and for which track.
What does the test actually measure?
Reasoning rather than recall. The verbal half asks you to compare meanings, complete sentences and interpret short Arabic passages; the quantitative half asks you to solve numerical and algebraic problems and read data. Nothing in it depends on a specific textbook, which is why practice on the question types matters more than revision notes.
How many questions are there, and how long is the test?
The current number of questions and the exact sitting time were not confirmed by the source retrieved for this page, so they are deliberately not stated. Both have changed between cycles in the past. Check the official administrator's page or your admission ticket for the figures that apply to your test date, then rehearse full sections at that pace.
Is it delivered on paper or on computer?
Both delivery modes have been used for Qudurat-style tests in Saudi Arabia, and the mode can vary by test centre and by cycle. Rather than assume, confirm the delivery format when you register, and practise with the matching interface: on-screen navigation and a visible timer feel very different from a paper booklet.
Can I retake it, and how soon?
Retake rules, waiting periods and any limits on the number of attempts are set by the official administrator and are not stated in the source used here, so they are not given. Look them up before you book, because a retake you assumed was available may not be. Plan your first attempt as if it were the only one.
What score do I need?
Score requirements are set by each receiving institution, not by the test itself, and the source retrieved for this page gives no cut-offs. Look up the minimum or typical score for the programme you want, aim comfortably above it, and treat any figure you hear from friends as unverified until you see it on an official page.
In what order should I study?
Start with a timed diagnostic so your effort goes where the gaps are. Then work one question type at a time until the method is automatic, add short timed sets that mix both sections, and finish with full-length simulations under real conditions. Keep an error log and revisit it weekly; repeating the same careless mistake is the usual reason scores stall.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Three: spending too long on one hard quantitative item and leaving easy ones blank, running out of time in the verbal section because of slow reading, and never practising under a clock at all so that pacing is untested. Guessing is usually better than leaving a blank, but decide that policy before test day, not during it.
Do I need to pay for a preparation course?
Not necessarily. Free samples and question-type descriptions exist, and they are enough to learn the format. A paid course helps mainly if you need structure, deadlines and someone to explain your mistakes. Whichever route you take, the active ingredient is timed practice followed by honest review of every wrong answer.
Is this page an official source?
No. This is independent study material prepared by a third-party platform. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by the official testing body, and nothing here should be treated as an official statement of policy, format or scoring. Always verify administrative details against the administrator's own publications before you rely on them.