NUST vs FAST vs NED vs GIKI vs PIEAS: How Each Calculates Merit

Five engineering universities, five different formulas. Knowing them tells you where to put your hours.

Merit formulas side by side

University	Entry test	HSSC	SSC / other
GIKI	85%	not counted	15% (SSC or O-Level)
NUST	75%	15%	10%
NED	60%	40% (Part I)	—
PIEAS	60%	40% academic record
FAST (Computing)	50%	40%	10%
FAST (Engineering)	33%	50%	17%

What each test asks

• NUST NET: 200 MCQs, 3 hours, Maths 50%, Physics 30%, English 20%, no negative marking.
• FAST: Advanced Maths 50%, Basic Maths 20%, IQ 20%, English 10%. Negative marking, no calculator.
• NED: pass mark 50% in the test.
• GIKI: Maths, Physics and English. No Chemistry.
• PIEAS (pre-engineering): 100 MCQs in 3 hours: Maths 30, Physics 30, Chemistry 30, English 10. No negative marking.

Three takeaways

1. The test decides most seats. At GIKI, NUST, NED and PIEAS the test is 60–85% of merit.
2. FAST engineering is the exception. Inter marks carry 50%, so your boards matter just as much.
3. Maths is everywhere. It is the biggest section in NUST, FAST and GIKI. Strong Maths helps you at every university.

Check your own aggregate with our Aggregate Calculator.

Sources: NUST NET guide · FAST eligibility · FAST test pattern · NED 2026 · GIKI · PIEAS leaflet

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