The Definitive Guide to Law GAT (Graduate Assessment Test) – 2025 Update

The Law GAT is the gateway for every law graduate in Pakistan to begin their legal practice. Passing this exam isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about strategy, preparation, and understanding how the test works. This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know. From eligibility to registration, past papers to preparation tips, so you can clear the Law GAT in one attempt.

What is Law GAT and Why It Matters for Your Legal Career

The Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law GAT) assesses law graduates’ knowledge before they enroll as advocates. It ensures candidates meet basic standards for legal practice in Pakistan.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) conducts the test through its Education Testing Council (ETC). The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) mandates it under the Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules, 1976. Without passing, graduates cannot enroll as advocates with any provincial bar council or the Islamabad Bar Council.

Passing opens doors to practice in courts, join law firms, or pursue roles in legal advisory. It verifies understanding of core legal principles, which helps in real-world application. For LLB graduates, it bridges academic knowledge and professional requirements. As of October 2, 2025, the test remains mandatory for enrolment as an advocate.

The test focuses on skills like legal reasoning and ethics, essential for maintaining justice system integrity. It promotes competent practitioners, as required by bar councils rules 1976.

Law GAT Eligibility Criteria: Are You Qualified to Apply?

Eligibility for the Law-GAT is primarily based on academic qualifications. It requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in law from a recognized university, either local or foreign.

Applicants need to provide proof of passing the LLB final year examination. There is no age limit specified in current rules. Foreign LLB degrees require HEC equivalence.

You are eligible if:

• You have earned a five-year LLB degree from an institution approved by the Pakistan Bar Council and the HEC.
• You are a graduate; candidates who are in their last year or who are awaiting their results are not eligible.
• The HEC site has confirmed that you have earned your degree.
• You submit your application prior to the official law GAT test date and the deadline.

Documents required include CNIC, LLB degree or transcript, and recent photos. The university must be recognized by HEC.

Checklist before applying:

1. Confirm LLB from HEC-recognized university.
2. Gather CNIC, degree, and photos.
3. Ensure no pending results in LLB.
4. Verify eligibility on etc.hec.gov.pk.

As of October 2, 2025, these criteria remain unchanged; check HEC site for updates.

How to Register for Law GAT: A Step-by-Step Guide (With Deadlines)

Registration occurs online via etc.hec.gov.pk.

Step 1: Visit etc.hec.gov.pk and create an account.

Step 2: Fill the application form with personal and academic details.

Step 3: Upload required documents: CNIC, LLB degree/transcript, photos.

Step 4: Generate consumer number for fee payment.

Step 5: Pay Rs. 3000 via 1LINK app or bank.

Step 6: Submit and download confirmation.

Deadlines vary; for October 19, 2025 test, registration closed September 30, 2025. HEC announces multiple sessions yearly. Check etc.hec.gov.pk for current deadlines, as they are time-sensitive.

Fee is Rs. 3000, non-refundable. No late registrations accepted.

Steps After Registration:

After Successful registration for Law GAT test on HEC portal, you have to wait till the Roll Number Slip becomes available on the portal, typically it appears 4-5 days before the exam. 

After it appears you have to download it and get a print of it to keep with yourself on the day of the test. You also have to check your test centre from the slip and read the other instructions carefully as well on it.

Law GAT Exam Structure Explained: Subjects, Pattern & Passing Marks

The test consists of 100 MCQs, totalling 100 marks. Time allowed is 120 minutes. Passing marks are 50% (50 marks).

Questions test application of law. No negative marking.

Subjects and weightage:

Constitution 20 marks

1) Constitutional History of Pakistan Cases (5 Marks)

• Maulvi Tamiz-ud-Din Khan vs. Governor General of Pakistan (PLD 1955 F.C. 240).
• The State vs. Dosso and Other (PLD 1958 S.C. 533).
• Miss Asma Jilani vs Government of Pakistan (PLD 1972 S.C. 139).
• Begum Nusrat Bhutto vs. Chief of Army Staff. (PLD 1977 S.C 657).
• Muhammad Nawaz Sharif vs. President of Pakistan. (PLD 1993 S.C. 473).
• Al-Jehad Trust vs Federation of Pakistan (Judges case) (PLD 1996 S.C. 324).
• Zafar Ali Shah and others vs. General Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan (PLD 2000 S.C. 869).
• Khan Asfandyar Wali and others vs. Federation of Pakistan (PLD 2001 S.C. 607).

2) Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 (10 Marks)

• Fundamental Rights, i.e.,From Preamble to articles 40; 
• Parliament, i.e., Articles 50-89; 
• The Judicature, i.e., Articles 175-212)

3) International Law (5 Marks)

• United Nation Charter
• International Court of Justice

Jurisprudence (10 Marks)

• English: (Jurisprudence by Sir John Salmond for LLB Student) (5 Marks)
• Islamic: (Islamic Jurisprudence by Prof Imran Ahsan Khan Nyazee) (5 Marks)

Civil Procedure Code (20 Marks)

• From Preamble to Section 12, 15-20, 47, 75, 96, 104, 115, 151.
• Orders 1, 6-9, 39, 41, 43).

Criminal Law (20 Marks)

1) P.P.C. (10 Marks)

• Chapter 2 (General Explanations/Definitions).
• Chapter 4 (General Exception)
• Chapter 16 (Offences Affecting the Human Body).
• Chapter 16-A (Wrongful restraint & Wrongful Confinement).
• Chapter 17 (Offences against Property).

2) Criminal Procedure Code  (10 Marks)

• Chapter 1 (Preliminary Definitions).
• Chapter 5 (Arrest, Escape and Retaking).
• Chapter 7 (Processes to compel the production of documents & other moveable property, and for the discovery of persons wrongfully confined).
• Chapter 8 (Security for keeping the peace and for good behavior).
• Chapter 10 (Public Nuisance)
• Chapter 11 (Temporary orders in urgent cases of nuisance and apprehended danger).
• Chapter 14 (Information to the police and their powers to investigate-FIR).
• Chapter 16 (Complaints to magistrate).
• Chapter 17 (The commencement of proceedings before court).
• Chapter 31 (of Appeals)
• Chapter 39 (of Bail)

Law of Evidence (20 Marks)

Qanoon-e-Shahdat Order, 1984

Professional Ethics (10 Marks)

Canons of Professional Conduct and Etiquette of Advocates Ch 12 (Rule 134- 175 B) Pakistan Legal Practitioners & Bar Councils Rules, 1976.

Law GAT Past Papers: The Smartest Way to Prepare for the Exam

Past papers help identify patterns and repeated questions. They familiarize with the MCQ format.

HEC provides sample paper on its site. Solved papers from 2018-2025 available on educational sites.

Repeated topics: Constitutional cases like Maulvi Tamiz-ud-Din Khan vs. Governor General (PLD 1955 FC 240). Ethics from bar councils rules.

How to Download Law GAT Past Papers and Solved MCQs Free

In order to ease the students and make the preparation of the LAW GAT test more easy, we have provided 600+ MCQS which are compiled subject wise and are included with the most repeated MCQS of the test which can greatly help the students to pass the test with good marks.

To avoid paying heavy fees and costs to academies for the preparation of the LAW GAT test, prepare from the Bare Acts and use the available free sources available on our website.

Proven Preparation Strategies to Clear the Law GAT in One Attempt

Start with syllabus review. Use bare acts for primary reading.

Recommended books:

• Constitutional Law by Fakhar-ul-Hassan.
• Criminal Law by Muhammad Akram.
• Law GAT guide by Sir Umar.

Study plan: Week 1-4: Cover subjects. Week 5-8: Past papers and mocks. Week 8-12 Revise and repeat the same till you are sure. Always Study Subject wise and start first with the subjects which have high numbers in the test.

Tips: Focus on weaker areas, daily revision.

On The Days Of Test:

On the day when your test is scheduled you have to appear for the test on your reporting time in the test centre provided to you earlier on the Roll Number. Slip.

Documents that you have to carry includes:

• Original National Identity Card (CNIC)
• Print of your Roll Number Slip 

For more detailed instructions read your Roll number slip Carefully and visit HEC Website. 

7 Common Mistakes Students Make in Law GAT (And How to Avoid Them)

1. Memorizing without understanding: Avoid by applying concepts in mocks.
2. Ignoring professional ethics: Study bar rules; because it has a very short syllabus and the concepts are very simple and easy to grab, so you can easily secure your 10 marks here.
3. Poor time management: Practice with a timer.
4. Skipping weaker subjects: Balance study plan.
5. Using incorrect materials: Stick to bare acts.
6. No syllabus knowledge: Review HEC syllabus first (the exact one which is stated above)
7. Weak Legal English: Improve via reading and understanding.

Law GAT 2025 Updates: What Has Changed & What to Expect

As of October 2, 2025, no major format changes. Tests held multiple times; next on October 19, 2025. PBC reduced LLB to 4 years, but Law GAT remains for graduates.

Latest news: Registration for October test closed September 30. Check HEC for announcements.

In conclusion, Law GAT requires focused prep. Use past papers and strategies to pass. Verify updates on official sites.

Conclusion:

Finally, the Law Graduate Assessment Test is a thorough assessment that assesses the qualifications of candidates who aspire to become Advocates. It underscores the practical applications of fundamental legal concepts, the critical thinking skills of students, and their application.

It is simple for qualified candidates to complete as a result of its organization and explicit eligibility criteria.

You are much more likely to pass if you study by planning your time well. Make sure you understand the main ideas and also take practice tests.

Work hard on this test to show that you are ready to be a lawyer and have the skills you need to do well in the field. This will help make smart and skilled lawyers in the future.

References

1. HEC – Education Testing Council. Higher Education Commission Pakistan. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://etc.hec.gov.pk/
2. The Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules, 1976. Pakistan Bar Council. 1976. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://pakistanbarcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/053-132-…-Bar-Council-Rules-1.pdf
3. HEC Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law-GAT) 2025. YouTube. September 21, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El5i6rbAM7g
4. Law GAT update 2025-2026. PK Law Notes. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://pklawnotes.com/law-gat-update/
5. HEC Law GAT Registration 2025. WordPress.com. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://lawgat.wordpress.com/law-gat-registration-2/
6. Law GAT Fee Structure 2025. Ilmkidunya. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.ilmkidunya.com/hec-law-gat/fees
7. HEC Law GAT. TIPS EDUCATION ONLINE. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://tipseducationonline.com/hec-law-gat/
8. Law GAT – Pakistan Legal Academy. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://legalacademy.pk/law-gat/
9. How to Prepare for LAW-GAT 2025? LearnUp Pakistan. February 2, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://learnuppakistan.com/how-to-prepare-for-law-gat-2025/
10. Nts Law Gat Preparation. mcsprogram. Accessed October 2, 2025. http://www.mcsprogram.org/browse/u3GA57/244080/Nts%2520Law%2520Gat%2520Preparation.pdf
11. LAW GAT 5TH EDITION. Facebook. April 3, 2022. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/nationalacademybysirumar/videos/law-gat-5th-edition-the-best-book-for-law-gat-by-sir-umar_2/1556722674710279/
12. Law GAT. atspace.co.uk. Accessed October 2, 2025. http://lawgat.atspace.co.uk/
13. Zainab Qazi’s Post. LinkedIn. March 19, 2024. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/zainab-qazi-653b7526b_with-the-law-gat-law-graduate-assessment-activity-7175896952411209730-Ne2Q
14. Final Notification HEC-ETC Law-GAT 7 Chances. HEC. September 15, 2023. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/etc/Documents/Final%2520Notification%2520HEC-ETC%2520Law-GAT%25207%2520Chances.pdf
15. BIG NEWS for Aspiring Lawyers. Facebook. July 11, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/TILSofficial/posts/-big-news-for-aspiring-lawyers-the-llb-degree-is-now-just-4-yearshec-has-officia/1164550262381013/