The Education and Training Evaluation Commission in Saudi Arabia announced the opening of registration for the paper-based cognitive ability test, starting Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The Commission clarified that registration will remain open until Saturday, April 25, 2026, with the actual tests to be held on Monday and Tuesday, April 27 and 28, 2026. This step is part of the Commission's approved schedule for administering standardized tests that serve the employment sector in the Kingdom.
General context and importance of cognitive ability testing
The Cognitive Abilities Test is a standardized and important assessment tool specifically designed to evaluate a range of fundamental cognitive abilities and capabilities in applicants for government and administrative positions. The test aims to measure the availability of the mental skills necessary for success in the workplace, such as the ability to understand relationships between things and concepts, make logical judgments, and evaluate different situations. Historically, this test was adopted as part of the Kingdom's efforts to develop the civil service system and enhance the efficiency of selection and recruitment, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on building a qualified and effective national workforce.
Expected impact on the labor market and government employment
The cognitive ability test plays a pivotal role in ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all applicants for government jobs. By providing an objective and standardized benchmark, the test contributes to selecting the most competent candidates, those best equipped to perform job duties effectively, free from subjective criteria. At the local level, the adoption of this measure is expected to improve performance quality in the public sector and raise the standard of services provided to citizens and residents. It also encourages graduates and job seekers to develop their analytical and logical skills, which will positively impact the overall competency level in the Saudi labor market.
Registration process details and instructions
The Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) has called on all those wishing to take the test to register during the specified period through the National Center for Assessment's (Qiyas) online portal at e-services.etec.gov.sa . ETEC emphasized the importance of carefully reviewing the terms and conditions before completing the registration process to ensure application acceptance and avoid any technical issues. Applicants are advised to reserve their seats early due to the anticipated high demand for the test, which has become a prerequisite for many government sector job applications. The test is offered in both paper-based and digital (computer-based) formats at different times of the year to accommodate all applicants and provide them with greater flexibility.
