Tahsili Exam Countdown

The Tahsili (اختبار التحصيل الدراسي) is the Saudi Subject Achievement Test administered by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas). Unlike the Qudurat aptitude test, Tahsili tests specific curriculum knowledge — sciences track students are examined in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while arts track students sit Arabic, Social Studies, and Islamic Education papers.

The exam is a compulsory component of university admission in Saudi Arabia and is taken by high-school graduates in their final year or shortly after graduation. Scores are valid for five years and are combined with Qudurat scores and the General Secondary Certificate GPA to produce each applicant's composite admission grade.

Because Tahsili tests curriculum-specific knowledge, the most effective Tahsili preparation strategy is subject-by-subject revision aligned directly with the Saudi Ministry of Education syllabus. Start by reviewing all chapters of your track subjects and identifying weak areas that need the most attention.

Official Qiyas practice tests and past papers are available on the Qiyas platform and are the most reliable preparation resource. Supplement these with summarized notes, formula sheets (for science subjects), and peer study groups. In the final month, shift focus to timed mock exams to build exam-day confidence and identify any remaining knowledge gaps.

Tahsili scores range from 300 to 900 points. Saudi universities weight the three components of the composite admission score differently depending on the institution and program. A common weighting is 30% Qudurat + 30% Tahsili + 40% General Secondary Certificate, but medical and engineering programs often apply different formulas that place greater emphasis on Tahsili.

For highly competitive programs, a Tahsili score above 85–90 percentile is often necessary. Tracking the exact number of days remaining before your Tahsili sitting allows you to build a realistic revision plan and ensure thorough coverage of all tested subjects.