NET-2027 runs in four series. Series-1 registration opened on 4 October 2026 and closes on 14 November 2026, with computer-based tests in Islamabad from 17 November 2026. NUST has published only month windows for Series-2 to Series-4, so every exact day after Series-1 below is expected, not confirmed.
Key facts
- Series-1 registration: 4 Oct to 14 Nov 2026
- Series-1 CBNET: 17 Nov 2026 onwards, Islamabad only
- Four series in the cycle, each with its own form and fee
- CBNET in Islamabad and Quetta, PBNET in Karachi and Gilgit
- NUST labels the whole NET-2027 schedule "tentative"
Source: NUST dates to remember page and UG admissions portal, checked October 2026
The NET-2027 schedule as NUST published it
This is NUST's own table from the dates to remember page, copied as written. NUST calls it tentative.
| Series | Online registration | CBNET | PBNET | Centres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series-1 | 4 Oct to 14 Nov 2026 | 17 Nov 2026 onwards | none | Islamabad |
| Series-2 | Dec 2026 to Jan 2027 | Jan to Feb 2027 (Islamabad), Mar 2027 (Quetta) | Mar 2027 (Karachi) | Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi |
| Series-3 | Feb to Mar 2027 | Apr 2027 | none | Islamabad |
| Series-4 | Apr to May 2027 | Jun to Jul 2027 (Islamabad), Jul 2027 (Quetta) | Jul 2027 (Karachi, Gilgit) | Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi, Gilgit |
Only Series-1 has hard dates. The rest are month ranges. NUST fills in the days on the same page, usually close to when each registration window opens.
The admissions portal also lists the CBNET session timings: a morning session from 0900 to 1200 and an afternoon session from 1400 to 1700. You pick your date and session when you register for a computer-based test.
Expected dates, based on the NET-2026 pattern
If you want to plan around days rather than months, the NET-2026 cycle is the best guide. Here is what happened last time, from our own dates page:
| NET-2026 series | Registration | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Series-1 | 5 Oct to 25 Nov 2025 | CBNET 22 Nov to 10 Dec 2025 (Islamabad) |
| Series-2 | 14 Dec 2025 to 1 Feb 2026 | CBNET 31 Jan to 15 Feb 2026 (Islamabad), 25 to 26 Mar 2026 (Quetta), PBNET 13 to 15 Feb 2026 (Karachi) |
| Series-3 | 22 Feb to 5 Apr 2026 | CBNET 4 Apr to 2 May 2026 |
| Series-4 | 26 Apr to 18 Jun 2026 | CBNET 13 Jun 2026 onwards (Islamabad), 27 to 29 Jul 2026 (Quetta), PBNET 18 to 22 Jul 2026 (Karachi), 18 to 20 Jul 2026 (Gilgit) |
The NET-2027 windows line up closely with NET-2026, a year on. Series-2 registration in mid-December, Series-3 in late February and Series-4 in late April are reasonable expectations. Registration and testing also overlap. In 2026, the Series-1 tests began three days before registration closed. That means the early test dates fill while late registrants are still applying.
One difference this year: Series-1 closes earlier. NET-2026 Series-1 registration ran to 25 November. NET-2027 Series-1 closes on 14 November. Don't plan from last year's deadline.
Which series should you aim for?
It depends on where your preparation is and which mode you can sit.
Series-1 (November). Only Islamabad, only CBNET. It comes early, while most FSc students are halfway through Part-2. Take it if you have covered most of the Part-1 and Part-2 syllabus, or if you want a real attempt on the record before the pressure builds. NUST picks your best score, so a weak Series-1 costs you the fee and nothing else.
Series-2 (January to March). The first series with Quetta and Karachi. If you need PBNET in Karachi, this and Series-4 are your only options.
Series-3 (April). Islamabad CBNET only. It sits close to board exams for most FSc students, so think hard about whether you can prepare for both.
Series-4 (June to July). The only series with all four cities, and the only one with Gilgit. It falls after board exams, so many students treat it as their main attempt. It is also the last chance in the cycle. If something goes wrong on the day, there is no Series-5.
My view: register for at least two series. Sit one early enough that a bad day is recoverable. Read how many times you can take NET for the attempt and fee rules.
What happens after each series
CBNET results come out within 24 hours. PBNET results take 5 to 7 working days. Both figures are from the NUST FAQ. Your best score across the cycle goes into the merit list, which NUST says it generates tentatively in the last week of July. The result guide covers where to look and what the number means.
ACT and SAT route dates
If you are applying on ACT or SAT scores instead of, or as well as, NET, the dates page gives 4 May to 25 July 2027 for online registration, with scores due to reach NUST by 25 July 2027. The portal separately says ACT/SAT registration for Fall 2027 starts on 20 April 2027. The two pages disagree on the opening date, so register early and check both. The ACT and SAT route post has the score requirements.
How to stay on top of changes
NUST revises the schedule during the cycle. In 2026 it postponed a set of tests and rescheduled them for 29 April to 3 May 2026, with new admit cards issued through candidates' accounts. That notice appeared on the admissions portal, not in the newspapers.
- Check the dates to remember page before each registration window.
- Log in to your portal account in the week before your test.
- Read every email from NUST, including the spam folder.
Our dates page tracks the current cycle and shows a banner when a deadline is within a week.
FAQ
When is NET 2027 Series 1?
Registration runs from 4 October to 14 November 2026. Computer-based tests start in Islamabad from 17 November 2026. NUST calls the schedule tentative.
When will NET 2027 Series 2 registration open?
NUST's schedule says December 2026 to January 2027. In the NET-2026 cycle, Series-2 registration opened on 14 December, so mid-December is the expected start.
Is NET held in Lahore?
No. NUST lists four test cities: Islamabad and Quetta for the computer-based test, Karachi and Gilgit for the paper-based test.
Which NET series is the last one?
Series-4, with tests from June to July 2027. It is the only series held in all four cities.
Can I change my test date after registering?
NUST does not publish a date-change rule. Its FAQ says a candidate who misses a session gets no second chance, with extreme emergencies considered case by case. Pick a date you can keep.
