As the 2026 university admission season approaches in Saudi Arabia, thousands of students are searching for how to calculate their weighted and equivalent percentages, what weights each university uses, and how they can improve their chances of admission. This comprehensive guide answers all your questions and provides updated 2026 information about the weights used by major Saudi universities.
Calculate Your Weighted Percentage Now
Use our Weighted Percentage Calculator to accurately determine your weighted and equivalent percentage for all Saudi universities.
What is the Weighted Percentage?
The Weighted Percentage is the primary criterion used by Saudi universities for student admission into their academic programs. It combines three main elements with specific weights that vary from one university to another:
- High School GPA (Secondary Certificate): The cumulative grade point average throughout high school years
- Qudurat (General Aptitude Test - GAT): A test measuring analytical and reasoning abilities
- Tahsili (Achievement Test - SAAT): A test measuring academic achievement levels in core subjects
Weighted Percentage Formula (Most Common):
(High School GPA × 0.30) + (Qudurat × 0.30) + (Tahsili × 0.40)
Weighted vs. Equivalent Percentage
It is important to understand the difference between these two terms used in the university admission system:
| Criterion | Weighted Percentage | Equivalent Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Components | High School + Qudurat + Tahsili | High School + Qudurat only |
| Used For | Science, Health, and Engineering programs | Humanities, Arts, and Business programs |
| Common Formula | 30% HS + 30% Qudurat + 40% Tahsili | 50% HS + 50% Qudurat |
| Competition | Higher (especially for Medicine and Engineering) | Medium to High |
Major Saudi University Weights 2026
Weighted percentage formulas differ from one university to another. Below is a comprehensive table of the weights used by the most prominent Saudi universities for 2026:
Science, Health, and Engineering Track Weights
| University | High School % | Qudurat % | Tahsili % | Min. Score (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Saud University (KSU) | 30% | 30% | 40% | 75% - 90%+ |
| King Fahd University (KFUPM) | 20% | 30% | 50% | 80% - 92%+ |
| King Abdulaziz University (KAU) | 30% | 30% | 40% | 75% - 88%+ |
| Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) | 30% | 30% | 40% | 72% - 85%+ |
| Imam Muhammad bin Saud University | 30% | 30% | 40% | 70% - 82%+ |
| King Khalid University (KKU) | 30% | 30% | 40% | 70% - 80%+ |
| Qassim University (QU) | 30% | 30% | 40% | 70% - 80%+ |
| Princess Nourah University (PNU) | 30% | 30% | 40% | 72% - 85%+ |
| King Faisal University (KFU) | 30% | 30% | 40% | 70% - 80%+ |
| Taibah University | 30% | 30% | 40% | 70% - 82%+ |
Humanities and Arts Track Weights (Equivalent Percentage)
| University | High School % | Qudurat % | Tahsili % | Min. Score (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Saud University (KSU) | 50% | 50% | - | 70% - 80%+ |
| King Abdulaziz University (KAU) | 50% | 50% | - | 68% - 78%+ |
| Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) | 50% | 50% | - | 65% - 75%+ |
| Imam Muhammad bin Saud University | 50% | 50% | - | 65% - 75%+ |
| Princess Nourah University (PNU) | 50% | 50% | - | 68% - 78%+ |
Important Note
The weights and minimum scores listed above are approximate and based on previous years' data. They change annually based on the number of applicants and competition level. Always check the official university website for accurate data.
Qudurat (General Aptitude Test)
The Qudurat test is administered by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (Qiyas) and measures students' analytical and reasoning abilities. It consists of two main sections:
Verbal Section (Linguistic)
- Sentence completion (context understanding)
- Verbal analogies (word relationships)
- Reading comprehension (text understanding)
- Contextual errors (error identification)
- Odd word out (classification)
Quantitative Section (Mathematical)
- Arithmetic and algebra
- Geometry and measurement
- Analysis and statistics
- Quantitative comparisons
- Applied questions
Tips to Excel in the Qudurat Exam
- Start early: Begin preparation 3-6 months before the exam date
- Practice with past papers: Solve as many practice tests and collections as possible
- Focus on weaknesses: Identify areas needing improvement and concentrate on them
- Time management: Practice completing questions within the allotted time
- Use educational platforms: Qiyas platform, training apps, and educational channels
Tahsili (Achievement Test - SAAT)
The Tahsili test measures students' academic achievement in core subjects throughout high school. It covers:
Tahsili Test Subjects (Science Track)
Tips to Excel in the Tahsili Exam
- Review the entire curriculum: The test covers grades 10, 11, and 12 material
- Focus on understanding: Questions depend on comprehension and application, not just memorization
- Memorize key formulas: Ensure you know all important laws and equations
- Solve practice collections: Practice with previous years' questions to understand patterns
- Distribute your time: Allocate sufficient time to each subject based on its weight
Practical Calculation Examples
Example 1: Weighted Percentage for King Saud University (Science)
Data: High School GPA = 95%, Qudurat = 88%, Tahsili = 82%
Calculation:
Weighted % = (95 × 0.30) + (88 × 0.30) + (82 × 0.40)
= 28.5 + 26.4 + 32.8
= 87.7%
Example 2: Weighted Percentage for KFUPM (Engineering)
Data: High School GPA = 92%, Qudurat = 90%, Tahsili = 85%
Calculation:
Weighted % = (92 × 0.20) + (90 × 0.30) + (85 × 0.50)
= 18.4 + 27.0 + 42.5
= 87.9%
Example 3: Equivalent Percentage (Humanities)
Data: High School GPA = 90%, Qudurat = 78%
Calculation:
Equivalent % = (90 × 0.50) + (78 × 0.50)
= 45 + 39
= 84%
Don't Calculate Manually!
Use our Weighted Percentage Calculator to calculate your score accurately for all Saudi universities with one click. You can also use the GPA Calculator to compute your university GPA.
University Admission Timeline 2026
Below is the approximate timeline for university admission stages in Saudi Arabia for 2026:
January - March 2026
Registration and preparation period for Qudurat and Tahsili exams. Start intensive preparation using training platforms.
March - April 2026
Qudurat exam period (paper-based and computer-based). Make sure to book your appointment early via the Qiyas website.
April - May 2026
Tahsili exam period. Usually administered after high school final exams.
June 2026
Release of high school, Qudurat, and Tahsili results. Calculate your weighted percentage immediately.
June - July 2026
University application period begins. Apply to multiple universities to increase your chances.
August - September 2026
Admission results announcement and registration begins. Confirm your acceptance within the deadline.
For updated academic dates, check the Academic Calendar.
Tips to Improve Your Admission Chances
Before Applying
- Identify your preferred major early and research its requirements
- Retake Qudurat to achieve a higher score
- Focus on Tahsili as it carries the most weight
- Calculate your score for multiple universities to know your options
- Follow application deadlines closely via university websites
During Application
- Apply to multiple universities and alternative majors
- Arrange your preferences carefully by priority
- Verify all entered information is correct
- Save your application number and check status regularly
- Meet all required conditions and submit necessary documents
Most In-Demand Majors in Saudi Arabia 2026
Based on the job market and Vision 2030 needs, the most sought-after majors include:
| Major | Required Score (Approx.) | Job Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Human Medicine | 90% - 98%+ | Very High |
| Computer & Software Engineering | 85% - 92%+ | Very High |
| AI & Data Science | 85% - 92%+ | Very High |
| Cybersecurity | 82% - 90%+ | Very High |
| Petroleum & Energy Engineering | 85% - 92%+ | High |
| Pharmacy | 85% - 93%+ | High |
| Architecture | 80% - 88%+ | High |
| Business Administration & Finance | 75% - 85%+ | High |
| Law | 78% - 88%+ | Medium - High |
| Nursing | 78% - 85%+ | High |
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Late preparation: Starting to prepare for exams only a week or two before
- Neglecting the verbal section: Focusing only on quantitative and ignoring verbal in Qudurat
- Not retaking exams: Settling for one attempt despite the possibility of improvement
- Applying to one university: Not diversifying options reduces admission chances
- Ignoring alternative majors: Not having a backup plan if not accepted in the first-choice major
- Missing deadlines: Failing to meet application or acceptance confirmation deadlines
- Incorrect calculation: Using weights from another university or confusing weighted with equivalent percentage