NBT study guide
NBT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) are administered through the National Benchmark Test Project. The official NBT site presents an AQL option and an AQL & MAT option, and publishes fees for each as well as a re-mark fee. It provides applicant guidance on booking a test, test dates, test venues, what to expect, and accessing or requesting results. The site also has sections for educators and institutions, including placement testing and national reports covering multiple years. Candidates should treat the official site as the starting point: the About section links to the NBT brochure and 'What is in the NBTs?', applicants can read the FAQ and 'What to expect', and sample questions are available from the quick links. Before writing, review the NBT Online Test Rules, the NBT Online Instruction Manual and the instruction videos, especially if registering as a remote writer or writing with a disability. Topics on this exam: Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) and Mathematics (MAT). The NBT study guide has 2 sections and about 779 words.
01Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL)
AQL does not test memorised formulas. It tests whether you can read an unfamiliar text, table or graph and use the information in it to reach a defensible conclusion. Every answer you need is in the stimulus; your job is to locate it, interpret it correctly and resist the distractors. Reading for structure: separating the main claim from supporting detail, spotting the author's purpose, tone and unstated assumption, and distinguishing a legitimate inference from a restatement of the text.
384 words, about 2 min02Mathematics (MAT)
The Mathematics test covers core school mathematics to Grade 12 level, but it rewards understanding over rehearsal. Expect multi-step problems, unfamiliar framings of familiar ideas, and no formula sheet. Accuracy in routine manipulation buys you the time to think about the harder items. Algebra: factorising, simplifying rational expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, simultaneous equations, the nature of roots through the discriminant.
395 words, about 2 minMore study resources for NBT
- Practice questionsIn the sentence "The committee's terse reply gave no reasons and offered no apology," the word "terse" most nearly means:.
- FlashcardsPercentage change formula. Percentage change equals the new value minus the original value, divided by the original value, then multiplied by 100.
- Cheat sheetPercentage change = (new value − original value) ÷ original value × 100; a 20% increase followed by a 20% decrease leaves 0.96 of the original, a net 4% fall.
- Key termsInference. A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than stated outright.
- Study planDiagnose baseline performance by completing a timed 30-item AQL mixed set and tabulating accuracy by item type.
- Common mistakesYears of school comprehension tasks reward bringing in background knowledge, and the strongest-sounding option feels authoritative.
- Exam-day guideBring the original ID document the NBT project requires - a South African ID book/card or a valid passport for international candidates.