How many MCQs are in the IBA admission test 2026?

The IBA Karachi aptitude test has 90 MCQs in total: English (45 MCQs) and Mathematics (45 MCQs). Each correct answer carries 4 marks for a total of 360 marks. The test duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Does IBA have negative marking in the admission test?

Yes. As per IBA's official BBA sample papers, there is negative marking. Each correct answer carries 4 marks and each wrong answer results in a deduction of 1 mark. Skipped questions carry no penalty. Many prep sites claim 'no negative marking' — this is incorrect.

What is the IBA admission test syllabus 2026?

The IBA aptitude test syllabus covers English (Reading Comprehension, Sentence Completion, Synonyms & Vocabulary, Grammar & Error Identification, Sentence Relationships) and Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Word Problems, Data Interpretation, Probability & Statistics). The difficulty is broadly SAT-level.

Is there an interview for IBA admission?

Yes, but only for certain programs. Candidates shortlisted for BBA, BSACF, and BSBA programs attend a group discussion followed by an interview. No interview is required for BSCS, BS Mathematics, or SESS undergraduate programs (BSECO, BSEM, BSEDS, BSSS).

When is the IBA admission test 2026?

For Fall 2026, IBA held Round 1 tests on February 1, 2026 (BBA/BSACF/BSBA), March 1, 2026 (BS CS/Math), and April 5, 2026 (SESS programs). Round 2 test dates are expected in June/July 2026. Classes commence August 24, 2026. Always verify exact dates on iba.edu.pk.

What are the eligibility requirements for IBA 2026?

For BBA/BSACF/BSBA: HSSC minimum 65%, or A Levels averaging 2Bs and 1C with minimum 8 points. For BSCS/BS Math/BSEM/BSEDS: HSSC minimum 60% with Math, or A Levels 1B+2Cs (7 points) with Math mandatory. For BSECO/BSSS/Liberal Arts: HSSC minimum 60% or A Levels 1B+2Cs (7 points).

Institute of Business Administration, Karachi

IBA Karachi Admission Test 2026 — Syllabus, Dates & Paper Pattern

Official syllabus for the IBA Karachi aptitude test (BBA, BSCS, BSBA, BSACF, BSECO, BSEM, BSEDS & more). The test has 90 MCQs — equally split between English (45) and Mathematics (45), with 4 marks per correct answer and negative marking.

90 MCQstotal

2h 45mduration

English 45MCQs

Math 45MCQs

View Syllabus Talk to a Counsellor

On this page

Paper Pattern Negative Marking Test Dates Eligibility English Mathematics After the Test

IBA 2026 Test Format & Paper Pattern

90 MCQs across English and Mathematics — 45 each — with 4 marks per correct answer and negative marking. Candidates who clear the aptitude test are shortlisted for a group discussion and interview (BBA/BSBA/BSACF programs only).

Total MCQs

360

Total marks

2h 45m

Duration

Subject-wise weightage

90total MCQs

TapHover over a sector to see breakdown

Subject	MCQs	Marks	%
English	45	180	50%
Mathematics	45	180	50%
Total	90	360	100%

Does IBA Have Negative Marking?

Yes — and this is one of the most commonly misreported facts about the IBA test. Many prep sites claim no negative marking. That is wrong.

✓

Correct answer

4 marks awarded for every question answered correctly.

✗

−1

Wrong answer

1 mark deducted per incorrect answer. Skipped questions carry no penalty.

Strategy tip

Only attempt a question if you can reasonably eliminate at least one or two options. Random guessing on 4-option MCQs has a negative expected value with a −1 penalty.

Eliminate before you guess.

* Source: IBA's official BBA Sample Paper V (iba.edu.pk). Always verify on the official site before your test.

IBA Admission Test 2026 — Key Dates

IBA runs two rounds for Fall 2026. Round 1 is complete — Round 2 dates are expected June/July 2026. Check iba.edu.pk for confirmation.

Done

Round 1 Test

1 Feb 2026

BBA / BSACF / BSBA applicants

Done

Round 1 Final Result

26 Feb 2026

Final merit list published on IBA portal

Upcoming

Round 2 Test

Jun / Jul 2026

Exact date to be confirmed by IBA

Round 2 Final Result

Jul / Aug 2026

Merit list after Round 2 interviews

Classes Commence

24 Aug 2026

Fall 2026 semester start date

* Dates are from IBA's official admissions schedule. Always confirm on iba.edu.pk before applying.

IBA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Minimum academic requirements vary by program. Make sure you meet the criteria before applying.

BBA / BSACF / BSBA

✓HSSC: minimum 65%
✓A Levels: average 2Bs + 1C, ≥ 8 points in 3 principal subjects (max one D, no E/U)
✓US/Canadian diploma: 80%+ or IB 25/45

BSCS / BS Math / BSEM / BSEDS

✓HSSC (Pre-Engineering or General with Math): minimum 60%
✓A Levels: 1B + 2Cs, ≥ 7 points — Math mandatory
✓Diploma 80% or IB 24

BSECO / BSSS / Liberal Arts

✓HSSC: minimum 60%
✓A Levels: 1B + 2Cs, ≥ 7 points, max one D

SAT scores — no guaranteed exemption

Only top scorers on IBA's SAT merit list receive direct admission or interview calls. IBA strongly recommends taking the aptitude test regardless of your SAT score.

IBA Syllabus 2026 — English & Mathematics

Topics derived from IBA's official sample papers and test framework — broadly SAT-level in difficulty.

English

45 MCQs · 4 marks each

45 MCQs

#	Topic	Sub-topics / What to study
01	Reading Comprehension	Content & context understanding, inference & deductive reasoning, idiomatic and colloquial usage
02	Sentence Completion	Fill-in-the-blank with contextually and grammatically appropriate words or phrases
03	Synonyms & Vocabulary	Word meanings, contextual vocabulary, lexical range — SAT-level word lists
04	Grammar & Error Identification	Tense agreement, subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, correct usage, sentence correction
05	Sentence Relationships	Analogies, logical relationships between pairs of words or concepts

01Reading Comprehension

Content & context understanding, inference & deductive reasoning, idiomatic and colloquial usage

02Sentence Completion

Fill-in-the-blank with contextually and grammatically appropriate words or phrases

03Synonyms & Vocabulary

Word meanings, contextual vocabulary, lexical range — SAT-level word lists

04Grammar & Error Identification

Tense agreement, subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, correct usage, sentence correction

05Sentence Relationships

Analogies, logical relationships between pairs of words or concepts

Mathematics

45 MCQs · 4 marks each

45 MCQs

#	Topic	Sub-topics / What to study
01	Arithmetic & Number Properties	Integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, absolute value, number theory
02	Algebra	Linear equations, inequalities, simultaneous equations, quadratic equations, functions, exponents
03	Geometry	Lines, angles, triangles, circles, polygons, area, perimeter, volume — coordinate geometry basics
04	Word Problems	Rate, distance & time, work & time, mixture problems, profit & loss, ages
05	Data Interpretation	Tables, bar charts, pie charts, line graphs — reading and reasoning from data sets
06	Probability & Statistics	Basic probability, mean, median, mode, range, simple counting & combinations

01Arithmetic & Number Properties

Integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, absolute value, number theory

02Algebra

Linear equations, inequalities, simultaneous equations, quadratic equations, functions, exponents

03Geometry

Lines, angles, triangles, circles, polygons, area, perimeter, volume — coordinate geometry basics

04Word Problems

Rate, distance & time, work & time, mixture problems, profit & loss, ages

05Data Interpretation

Tables, bar charts, pie charts, line graphs — reading and reasoning from data sets

06Probability & Statistics

Basic probability, mean, median, mode, range, simple counting & combinations

What Happens After the Test?

Clearing the aptitude test is just step one. The process differs by program.

Aptitude Test

90 MCQs — English + Math. Candidates above the cutoff proceed to the next stage. Cutoff varies each year based on performance.

Group Discussion — BBA / BSACF / BSBA only

Shortlisted candidates attend a group discussion session. Not applicable for BSCS or SESS programs (BSECO, BSEM, BSEDS, BSSS).

Interview — BBA / BSACF / BSBA only

Round 1 interviews were Feb 12–16, 2026. Not required for BSCS, Math, or SESS undergraduate programs.

Final Merit List

Admission is offered based on the combined merit of test score, academic record, and (where applicable) group discussion and interview performance.

Prepare for IBA 2026 — Live Classes, Video Lectures & Practice

IBA's test is SAT-level and has negative marking — every wrong answer costs you a mark. Targeted practice is the only way to be ready.

Live Classes

Daily BCAT classes for English and Math with Maqsad's expert teachers

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Video Lectures

Chapter-wise video lectures for all IBA test topics — watch at your own pace

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Mock Tests

Timed IBA-style practice tests with negative marking enabled — build real exam stamina

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