The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC) has introduced a Computer Based Testing (CBT) system for its upcoming ability tests, marking a shift away from traditional paper based examinations for select recruitment processes. According to the commission’s 17th Schedule of 2026, the first computer based tests under the new system are scheduled to begin on September 24, 2026.
KPPSC will conduct the scheduled tests on computers, subject to the availability of IT labs at designated test centres. The commission has advised candidates to practice the CBT format ahead of their scheduled examination date, recommending that applicants familiarise themselves with the new testing interface before appearing for the actual test. The first phase of the rollout will cover ability tests for several posts at BPS-17, specifically within the Home and Tribal Affairs department and the Agriculture department, with each computer based test comprising 45 multiple choice questions based on the prescribed qualification requirements for the relevant post.
As part of the transition, KPPSC will upload candidates’ call letters and roll number slips directly on its official website ahead of the test dates. Applicants have been instructed to bring a printed copy of their roll number slip along with their original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to the designated test centre on the day of the examination. The commission has also advised candidates to download its CBT instruction video or tutorial in advance, allowing them to become familiar with the system’s interface and testing environment before the scheduled test date arrives.
The introduction of computer based testing by KPPSC follows a broader pattern of public sector recruitment bodies across Pakistan moving toward digital assessment methods, as commissions look to standardise testing procedures and reduce the logistical demands associated with traditional paper based examinations. The shift is expected to bring KPPSC’s testing procedures closer in line with similar digital initiatives already introduced by other public service commissions and examination bodies operating at the federal and provincial level across the country.
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