Everyone applying to university writes the AQL test. Here's what it is and what it covers—and how our course gets you ready.
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.
This section tests your capacity to engage successfully with the demands of academic study. You will need to read texts and demonstrate your ability to:
There may also be questions on grammar, punctuation, and general knowledge. The focus is on understanding and applying ideas, not rote learning.
This section tests your ability to solve problems using basic quantitative information. You will be assessed on:
Calculators are not allowed, so you need to rely on mental arithmetic and estimation. The skills align with the Grade 11 Maths Literacy syllabus.
"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)