NADRA Paper Pattern 2026
NADRA Recruitment Test is a paper of 100 MCQs to be attempted in 120 minutes, set by National Database and Registration Authority, with no negative marking. It covers 6 subjects: Computer Science and IT, English, Mathematics, Analytical and Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge and Pakistan Studies.
100
MCQs
on the paper
120
Minutes
total time
72
Seconds per MCQ
if paced evenly
No
Negative marking
guessing is free
NADRA subject weightage 2026
How many MCQs each subject contributes to the NADRA paper. This is the order to revise in. Computer Science and IT is worth 30 MCQs against General Knowledge's 10, so an hour spent fixing a weak chapter in Computer Science and IT is worth more marks than the same hour anywhere else on the paper.
- NADRA Computer Science and IT30 MCQs · 30%
- NADRA English20 MCQs · 20%
- NADRA Mathematics15 MCQs · 15%
- NADRA Analytical and Logical Reasoning15 MCQs · 15%
- NADRA General Knowledge10 MCQs · 10%
- NADRA Pakistan Studies10 MCQs · 10%
| Subject | MCQs | Share | Free MCQs here |
|---|---|---|---|
| NADRA Computer Science and IT MCQs | 30 | 30% | 2,221 |
| NADRA English MCQs | 20 | 20% | 10,318 |
| NADRA Mathematics MCQs | 15 | 15% | 1,551 |
| NADRA Analytical and Logical Reasoning MCQs | 15 | 15% | 2,435 |
| NADRA General Knowledge MCQs | 10 | 10% | 4,796 |
| NADRA Pakistan Studies MCQs | 10 | 10% | 2,759 |
| Total | 100 | 100% | 24,080 |
NADRA marking scheme 2026
Every NADRA MCQ carries one mark, for a total of 100 marks, one per question. Nothing is deducted for a wrong answer, so an unanswered question and a wrong answer score exactly the same: zero. That makes leaving anything blank a pure loss. Attempt all 100 MCQs, and in the last few minutes fill in every remaining bubble even if you are guessing outright.
NADRA time per subject
120 minutes across 100 MCQs is about 72 seconds a question. Split by weightage, that is the time each subject is worth. Going over on one subject is borrowed from another, not from spare time, because there is none.
| Subject | MCQs | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and IT | 30 | 36 |
| English | 20 | 24 |
| Mathematics | 15 | 18 |
| Analytical and Logical Reasoning | 15 | 18 |
| General Knowledge | 10 | 12 |
| Pakistan Studies | 10 | 12 |
How to prepare for the NADRA 2026 pattern
The pattern tells you where the marks are, not where you are losing them. Start with Computer Science and IT, because it carries 30 percent of the paper and a weak chapter there is the most expensive weak chapter you can have. Inside each subject, work chapter by chapter and stay on a chapter until you are consistently above 80 percent before moving on.
Then practise at the real pace. Untimed revision hides the problem that actually costs marks in the hall, which is spending three minutes on a question worth 72 seconds and running out of paper before you run out of time. Sit full papers under the clock, and mark them honestly.
NADRA paper pattern: common questions
What is the NADRA paper pattern 2026?
NADRA Recruitment Test is a 100 MCQ paper of 120 minutes set by National Database and Registration Authority, with no negative marking. It is split across 6 subjects: Computer Science and IT 30, English 20, Mathematics 15, Analytical and Logical Reasoning 15, General Knowledge 10, Pakistan Studies 10.
How many MCQs are there in NADRA?
100 MCQs in total, to be attempted in 120 minutes. The heaviest subject is Computer Science and IT at 30 MCQs, which is 30 percent of the paper.
Is there negative marking in NADRA?
No. NADRA has no negative marking, so a wrong answer costs you nothing more than an unanswered one. Never leave a question blank: attempt every one of the 100 MCQs, even the ones you are guessing on.
How much time do you get per MCQ in NADRA?
120 minutes for 100 MCQs works out at about 72 seconds per question. That is the pace to practise at, and it is why timed practice matters more than untimed revision in the last month.
Which subject has the most weightage in NADRA?
Computer Science and IT, at 30 of the 100 MCQs, which is 30 percent of the paper. A weak topic in the heaviest subject costs you more marks than a weak topic anywhere else, so the weightage order on this page is the order worth revising in.