National Measurement Center: Your Comprehensive Guide to Employment and Professional Licensing Tests 2025

Looking for a government job or professional license? Find out how Qiyas supports you

Confused by the changing demands of the Saudi labor market? Maybe you're wondering: "Are Qiyasat tests only for students?" Or, "Which test will guarantee me the government job or promotion I deserve?"

We understand that looking for a job or pursuing a career can be a stressful and complicated process, especially with the increasing reliance on professional certifications and licenses as a prerequisite for employment in the public and private sectors.

In this article, we're not talking about high school exams. Instead, we'll give you a specialized guide for employees and graduates that clearly explains the difference between tests, how to register for the General Abilities Test for Undergraduates and Professional Licenses, and how to use these scores to boost your profile in recruitment platforms like Jadara and Masar. Read this guide to shorten your career path.

How does the National Measurement Center affect your career path in Saudi Arabia?

Why do government and private organizations require Qiyasat tests for employment?

Under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the Saudi labor market has radically shifted towards standardization and transparency. A university degree alone is no longer enough to guarantee a job, especially in the government and military sectors. This is where the National Measurement Center (Qiyas) of the Education and Training Evaluation Authority (ETA) comes in, to provide a unified and fair tool to differentiate between applicants.

Government agencies, led by the Ministry of Human Resources through the Masar platform (formerly Jadara), rely on Qiyas test scores as a primary criterion for nomination. This is due to their desire to measure analytical and deductive abilities that university averages do not clearly show. For the private sector, especially large and semi-governmental companies, the results of tests such as English Language Proficiency and General Abilities for Undergraduates have become tangible evidence of an employee's competence and readiness for work, increasing their chances of obtaining higher salaries and better positions.

Critical differences between Qiyas tests for students and graduates

Many graduates make the common mistake of believing that the Qiyas tests are the same as the ones they took in high school. This notion is completely wrong and needs to be corrected. The student tests (General Abilities and IQ) focus on academic knowledge and college readiness.

Graduate and professional tests are designed to assess professional competence and higher-order mental skills appropriate for the work environment. For example, the General Abilities Test for Undergraduates focuses on critical thinking, complex problem solving, and the ability to deduce logical relationships, skills necessary for leaders and decision-makers. In addition, professional licensing tests have emerged that measure not only general intelligence, but precise specialized mastery (e.g. engineering, accounting, education), which is a mandatory requirement for practicing a profession and not just an admission test.

Top 3 tests from the National Measurement Center for graduates and job seekers

General Aptitude Test for Undergraduates: Your gateway to graduate studies and government jobs

The General Aptitude Test for University Graduates is one of the most important tests that every aspiring graduate must take. This test is not only for those who want to complete a master's or doctoral degree, it is a key requirement for many government jobs and military programs for officers.

The test consists of five main sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Critical Thinking, Forms, and Reasoning. The secret of this test is that it does not rely on the information you studied in your university major, but rather measures your ability to learn and develop in the future. A high score on this test (usually above 80) gives you an overwhelming advantage in government recruitment platforms, as it is counted among the weighted points for differentiation.

English language proficiency test (STEP): The economical alternative to boost your resume

The English Language Proficiency Test (STEP) is known as the "Saudi TOEFL". It is a locally designed test based on international standards to measure the level of the English language. The importance of this test lies in the fact that it is 100% accredited within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whether in universities for admission to graduate programs, or in the military sectors, and many leading companies.

For the job seeker, STEP is a smart choice because it is much less expensive than international tests, and provides fast and reliable results that can be attached directly to a resume or online application to prove language proficiency without the hassle of traveling or high costs.

Professional license exams (teachers, engineers): Practice and promotion requirement

Getting a job is no longer the end of the line, but the beginning of a career path that now requires a "license". The Education and Training Evaluation Authority (ETA), through Qiyas, manages the system of professional licenses, the most famous of which is the teachers' license.

The teacher test is divided into two parts: A general pedagogical test (common to all teachers) and a specialized test (in the subject of teaching). Passing these two tests is the only requirement for obtaining a license (Practitioner, Advanced, Expert), to which annual raises and promotions are linked. Similarly, Qiyas collaborates with the Saudi Council of Engineers and the Saudi Arabian Accounting Association to offer professional accreditation tests that increase an employee's value in the market.

Explaining the steps to register at the National Measurement Center (Beneficiary and Professionals File)

How to open a new profile in Qiyas for graduates (step by step)

If you have graduated from university and have not accessed Qiyas since high school, you may need to update your profile or open a new "graduate" profile new. The process is simple and completely digital:

1. Enter the site: Go to the "Beneficiary Profile" page on the Qiyas website.
2. Login: You can use your civil registry number and password, or easier to use Unified National Access (Absher) To ensure security and speed of entry.
3. Update data: Make sure to change your study status to "graduate" and update your mobile number and email address, as this is a prerequisite for showing you university and employment tests instead of school tests.

For professional license tests (especially for teachers), it's a little different. Registration is not done directly from the list of public tests, but must go through the Education Evaluation Authority's "Professional Licensing System".

• First, log in to the professional license system and make sure your employment and educational credentials are correct.
• After verification, you will be automatically redirected to the Qiyas registration page to choose your test date and location.
• Important alert: Payment must be made within the deadline shown at the time of registration (which may be very short for late bookings) or the reservation will be automatically canceled.

[Checklist: Pre-Test Documents and Supplies]

Make sure you have the following items before heading to the test center to avoid being denied entry:

• Original proof of identity: National ID (for Saudis) or Iqama (for residents). or a digital ID approved through Absher or Tawakkalna. Photos and copies (screenshots) are not acceptable.
• Validity of identity: The ID must be valid.
• Tawakkalna application: A mobile app is required for proof of identity or access pass (as per the center's instructions).
• Early attendance: Arrive at least 15 minutes early for fingerprinting and matching procedures.
• Abstain from prohibitions: Leave your cell phone, smartwatch, and calculator outside the testing room (a calculator is provided within the system if needed).

Querying Qiyas results, validity period, and linking them to employment programs

How long are Qiyasas tests for undergraduates and professional licenses valid?

One of the most common and important questions is "When does my degree expire?". The answer determines when you should retake the test to avoid missing out on employment opportunities.

• General aptitude test for undergraduates: The validity of the score is 5 years from the test date.
• English language proficiency test (STEP): The validity of the degree is only 3 years.
• Professional licensing tests: They are usually valid for 5 years, and the license must be renewed before it expires. You should plan well, and if you are coming to an important application (such as applying for a master's degree), make sure that the validity of your test covers the entire admission period.

How to Submit and Link Results to Jadara and Masar

The good news is that you often don't need to print the result and take it manually to the government agencies. The National Measurement Center is electronically linked to the National Information Center.

Once the result is released, it is automatically sent to beneficiary organizations such as the Ministry of Human Resources (Masar/Jadarah) and universities. However, it is always advisable to log in to your Masaar profile 48 hours after the result is released and make sure the score field is updated. If the score does not appear, you can submit an "Update Data" request from within the platform to retrieve the score manually.

Does Qiyas allow retesting to improve employability?

Yes, the National Measurement Center gives applicants the opportunity to retake the test to improve their scores, which is a highly recommended strategy. In tests such as GMAT and STEP, you can take the test 5 times in 3 years.

Importantly, the system always uses the highest score, not the most recent. If the first time you scored 75 and the second time you scored 70, employers will consider a score of 75. So, don't hesitate to retry if you feel that your score doesn't qualify you for strong competition for jobs.

Frequently asked questions about the National Measurement Center's services for employees

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is listed here

• Q: Is the aptitude test for undergraduates required for promotion in government work?
  • c: Yes, in some government agencies and some ranks (especially higher ranks or when transferring from one cadre to another), an aptitude test is required as part of the differentiation criteria for promotion to ensure the employee's competence.
• Q: Can I get a refund of the test fee if I don't show up?
  • c: Refunds are not available after the test date, but if you cancel your reservation before the scheduled date (usually 48 hours in advance), the amount is saved in your "balance" in your Qiyas file to be used for future tests.
• Q: I forgot the password for my Qiyas file, what should I do?
  • c: You can easily recover your password by clicking "Forgot Password" on the login page, and a verification code will be sent to your registered mobile number, or you can log in directly via National Access without the need for a standard password.
• Q: What is the passing score on the professional license test for teachers?
  • c: The passing score varies depending on the rank of the license: 50 points for Practitioner, 70 points for Advanced, and 80 points for Expert.

Conclusion: Summary of key points

To conclude this comprehensive guide, we would like to remind you of the most important points that will help you on your career journey:

• Not just for students: Qiyas tests are a mandatory gateway to government jobs, promotions, and professional licenses, and are not limited to high school graduates.
• Choose the right test: Define your goal precisely; do you need "university abilities" for graduate studies and managerial jobs, "professional license" for teaching, or "STEP" to prove your English?
• The higher score is the approved one: Don't be afraid to retake the test, the system recognizes your highest score and not your most recent, giving you a chance to improve your career status.
• Connectivity: Your results are automatically linked to government recruitment platforms (Masaar), so always make sure your test is valid before applying for any job.

Thank you very much for reading this article to the end. We hope we have been able to provide you with the information you need to take the right steps towards a bright and successful career in Saudi Arabia.