What is the AQL section of the NBTs?
The AQL (compulsory for all learners who are required to write the NBT) aims to test proficiency in language comprehension as well as logic-based numerical skills.
It assesses knowledge learned in the senior high school phase. It aims to assess whether learners will be able to apply knowledge learned in high school to the tertiary context. The AQL section comprises approximately 75 multiple-choice questions.
- The Academic Literacy (AL) sections will require reading of various texts with multiple choice questions referring to the text. Some questions are general knowledge-based. Questions on grammar, punctuation, vocabulary are included. It predominantly assesses the ability to understand the meaning and application of various texts as well as understanding and applying the argument or main point of the author.
- The Quantitative Literacy (QL) sections assess a student’s capacity to: understand basic numerical concepts, read and interpret graphs, reason logically and identify patterns and trends. It is largely based on the Grade 11 Maths Literacy syllabus.
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