Everyone applying to university writes the AQL test. Here's what it is and what it covers—and how our course gets you ready.
A quick overview of how the NBT AQL is structured, what each section tests, and how to approach it strategically.
The AQL (Academic and Quantitative Literacy) test is compulsory for all learners who are required to write the NBT by their chosen university. It is written in a 3-hour morning session and is made up of timed sections (about 25–30 minutes each). The test is multiple-choice.
The AQL test covers 4 Academic Literacy subdomains and 5 Quantitative Literacy subdomains. Our course prepares you for every one.
This section tests your capacity to engage successfully with the demands of academic study. It covers 4 official subdomains:
This section tests your ability to solve problems using basic quantitative information. It covers 5 official subdomains (no calculators allowed):
"English is my home language. Surely I will easily pass the Academic Literacy (AL) test?" Many learners who speak English (or Afrikaans) as a first language, and who achieve high marks in their school language subjects, mistakenly believe they do not need to prepare for the AL test.
The conversational language skills used in everyday social interaction are very different from the formal, academic language required for success at university. The NSC English and Afrikaans exams assess a variety of general language abilities, whereas the NBT AL test focuses strictly on academic literacy: your ability to decode complex texts, understand discourse and argument structures, infer meaning, and separate essential from non-essential information. First-language speakers are not automatically equipped for the demands of tertiary-level reading and writing, making preparation crucial.
Approximately 75 multiple-choice questions (format may vary slightly by year). Both tests must be in the same language (English or Afrikaans).
Full access to AL and QL content, practice questions, and mock tests. 12 months access.
Need both MAT and AQL? View combined course (save R499)
Get a feel for both QL and AL teaching style before enrolling.
A sample Quantitative Literacy lesson focused on reading grouped data and histogram questions.
A sample Academic Literacy lesson showing how to separate claims, opinions, and supporting evidence.