What is the LUMS entry test (LCAT)?

The LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT) — commonly called the LUMS entry test — is a paper-based, multiple-choice test accepted as an alternative to the SAT/ACT for admission to every LUMS undergraduate school — Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities & Social Sciences (MGSHSS), Syed Babar Ali School of Science & Engineering (SBASSE) and Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL).

What is the LCAT test pattern?

The LCAT has 4 sections — 2 Verbal and 2 Mathematics — 40 minutes each, with a total test duration of approximately 3 hours (per LUMS). It is multiple-choice only and calculators are not allowed on any section. LUMS has not published an official question count, but past test-takers have reported roughly 15 questions per Math section (about 30 total) and 24 per Verbal section (about 48 total) — around 78 MCQs overall.

Is there negative marking in the LCAT?

LUMS has not published a marking scheme for the LCAT, so it has not confirmed whether there is negative marking. LCAT scores are also not disclosed to applicants. Follow the instructions printed on your test paper.

What are the eligibility requirements for LUMS undergraduate admission?

Minimum requirements vary by qualification: Matric 70%+ and FSc/ICS/ICOM 70%+ (or FA 65%+) — Part-1 marks are used if you are still in your final year; O Levels in at least 8 subjects with an average grade of B, plus A Levels averaging 2 Bs and 1 C across the best three full-credit subjects (AS subjects, General Paper and grades below E don't count); American High School Diploma — 70%+ or GPA B or above; IB Diploma — minimum 28 out of 45 points. SBASSE (Science & Engineering) only accepts FSc or ICS, not FA or ICOM. Meeting these minimums makes you eligible to apply but does not guarantee admission.

When is the LUMS entry test (LCAT) date — 2026 or 2027?

The 2026 LCAT cycle is complete — the test was held on 15 February 2026, as part of a cycle with an application deadline of 27 January 2026 and admission decisions released between 15 April and 31 July 2026. The 2027 cycle is next, but LUMS conducts the LCAT only once a year and hasn't announced 2027 dates yet — check admission.lums.edu.pk for updates.

What is the LCAT fee?

For the 2026 cycle, the LUMS application processing fee was PKR 11,500 (USD 200 for international applicants) and the LCAT registration fee was PKR 6,500. Both are non-refundable. LUMS may revise fees for the 2027 cycle.

Lahore University of Management Sciences

LUMS Entry Test (LCAT) — Syllabus, Dates & Eligibility

Q: What is the LCAT syllabus?

Verbal sections cover Information & Ideas, Craft & Structure, Standard English Conventions and Expression of Ideas — reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, grammar and evidence-based reasoning. Mathematics sections cover Algebra (linear equations, inequalities and systems), Advanced Math (absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational and radical equations, and nonlinear systems), Problem-Solving & Data Analysis (ratios, percentages, statistics and probability), and Geometry & Trigonometry. These are the content domains in LUMS's official LCAT sample questions document. No calculators are allowed.

Last updated: 2 October 2026

The LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT) — commonly called the LUMS entry test — is a paper-based, multiple-choice alternative to the SAT/ACT, accepted for admission to every LUMS undergraduate school — SDSB, MGSHSS, SBASSE and SAHSOL. The test has 4 sections — two Verbal and two Mathematics, 40 minutes each — which LUMS puts at about 3 hoursin total, with no calculators allowed. Maqsad's IBA/LUMS preparation product is built around this format, alongside LUMS and IBA trained teachers.

4 Sectionstotal

~3 hoursduration

Verbal ×2sections

Math ×2sections

View Syllabus Talk to a Counsellor

On this page

Paper Pattern Eligibility Test Dates Verbal Mathematics Fees & Test Day After the Test

LCAT Test Format & Paper Pattern

The LCAT is a paper-based, multiple-choice test — “like the SAT, though duration and format may vary,” per LUMS's own guidance — and its syllabus is very similar to the SAT's. It has 4 sections — 2 Verbal and 2 Mathematics — 40 minutes each, with no calculators allowed on any section. LUMS has not published a question count or marking scheme, and LCAT scores are never shown to applicants — the MCQ counts below are what past test-takers have reported, not official numbers.

Total sections

~3 hrs

Total duration

Calculator allowed

1 yr

LCAT score validity

Section breakdown

×2

Verbal Sections

40 min each

Reading passages, tables & graphs
Evidence-based reasoning
Vocabulary in context
Grammar & Standard English conventions
Revising texts for clarity

~48 MCQs

Reported, not official

×2

Mathematics Sections

40 min each

Algebra — linear equations & systems
Advanced math — quadratic, exponential, polynomial & radical equations
Problem-solving & data analysis
Geometry & trigonometry

~30 MCQs

Reported, not official

MCQ counts are self-reported by past test-takers, not officially published by LUMS. LUMS also hasn't published whether there is negative marking — follow the instructions on your test paper. Format source: LUMS's official LCAT sample questions document and admission.lums.edu.pk. Always verify the current format on the official site before your test.

LUMS Undergraduate Eligibility Criteria

Minimum academic requirements vary by qualification. Meeting these minimums makes you eligible to apply — it does not guarantee admission. Still in your final year? You can apply on your first-year results, using the same cut-offs. O/A Level, IB and foreign qualifications also need IBCC equivalence.

Matric + FA / FSc / ICS / ICOM

✓Matric: minimum 70%
✓FSc, ICS or ICOM: minimum 70%
✓FA: minimum 65%
✓Still in 2nd year? Part-1 marks are used with the same cut-offs

O Levels + A Levels

✓O Levels: at least 8 subjects, average grade B
✓A Levels: at least 3 full-credit subjects, average 2 Bs + 1 C across your best three
✓AS subjects, General Paper and grades below E don't count towards the best three
✓Still doing A Levels? Your O Level results are enough to apply

American HS Diploma

✓70% or above, or GPA of B or above
✓Still studying? Apply on your first-year results

IB Diploma

✓Minimum 28 out of 45 points
✓Still studying? Apply on your first-year results
✓SBASSE applicants need science subjects in IB

Extra rules for SBASSE (Science & Engineering)

✓FSc or ICS only — FA and ICOM students aren't eligible
✓A Levels from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths, IT or Physics
✓Chemical and Electrical Engineering need a Pre-Engineering equivalence

LCAT, SAT or ACT — pick one

LCAT is an alternative to the SAT/ACT, not an additional requirement. Every LUMS undergraduate school accepts any one of the three — there is no minimum SAT/ACT score. Report every attempt; LUMS uses your best single attempt.

Applying to Law (BA-LL.B)?

SAHSOL requires the LCAT/SAT/ACT plusHEC's Law Admission Test (LAT) — last cycle it had to be taken by 30 May 2026. Budget prep time for both.

LCAT — Key Dates (2026 & 2027)

LUMS conducts the LCAT once a year. The 2026 cycle is complete; the 2027 cycle is next, but LUMS hasn't announced its dates yet — here's the 2026 cycle for reference, plus where to check for 2027 updates.

2026 Cycle

Completed

Application Deadline

27 Jan 2026

Online UG application closes 5:00 PM PKT

Documents & Fee

28 Jan 2026

Upload supporting documents, pay application fee

LCAT Test Day

15 Feb 2026

Held once a year at designated cities in Pakistan

Financial Aid Deadline

28 Feb 2026

Financial aid application & documents due

Last SAT / ACT Sitting

14 Mar / 11 Apr 2026

Latest SAT and ACT dates accepted for Fall 2026

Admission Decisions

15 Apr – 31 Jul 2026

Offers go out across this window — not all on the same day

2027 Cycle — Dates TBA

Not yet announced by LUMS. Start prepping now so you're ready the moment 2027 dates drop.

Check official dates

* Dates are from LUMS's official admissions calendar. Always confirm on admission.lums.edu.pk before applying.

LCAT Syllabus — Verbal & Mathematics

These are the content domains listed in LUMS's official LCAT sample questions document. LUMS itself recommends SAT practice material and Khan Academy, since the style and difficulty are close to the SAT's.

Verbal

2 sections · 40 min each

2 Sections

#	Content Domain	What to study
01	Information & Ideas	Locate, interpret, evaluate and integrate information from passages and from tables and graphs — central ideas, inference and evidence
02	Craft & Structure	High-utility vocabulary in context, evaluating texts rhetorically, and making connections between related texts
03	Standard English Conventions	Editing for standard English sentence structure, usage and punctuation
04	Expression of Ideas	Revising texts for clarity, effectiveness and rhetorical goals — transitions and combining ideas

01Information & Ideas

Locate, interpret, evaluate and integrate information from passages and from tables and graphs — central ideas, inference and evidence

02Craft & Structure

High-utility vocabulary in context, evaluating texts rhetorically, and making connections between related texts

03Standard English Conventions

Editing for standard English sentence structure, usage and punctuation

04Expression of Ideas

Revising texts for clarity, effectiveness and rhetorical goals — transitions and combining ideas

Mathematics

2 sections · 40 min each

2 Sections

#	Content Domain	What to study
01	Algebra	Linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, and linear functions in one and two variables
02	Advanced Math	Absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational and radical equations; nonlinear functions and systems of nonlinear equations; logarithms
03	Problem-Solving & Data Analysis	Ratios, rates, percentages and proportional relationships; statistics, scatterplots and probability; evaluating claims from sample data
04	Geometry & Trigonometry	Area, volume, angles, triangles and circles; right-triangle problems and trigonometric functions

01Algebra

Linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, and linear functions in one and two variables

02Advanced Math

Absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational and radical equations; nonlinear functions and systems of nonlinear equations; logarithms

03Problem-Solving & Data Analysis

Ratios, rates, percentages and proportional relationships; statistics, scatterplots and probability; evaluating claims from sample data

04Geometry & Trigonometry

Area, volume, angles, triangles and circles; right-triangle problems and trigonometric functions

Official LCAT sample questions (PDF)

Worked Verbal and Math examples straight from LUMS — try them under timed conditions.

Fees, Aid & Test Day

Fees below are from the 2026 cycle — LUMS may revise them for 2027. Both are non-refundable.

PKR 11,500

Application processing fee

USD 200 for international applicants

PKR 6,500

LCAT registration fee

Only if you're taking the LCAT

NOP

National Outreach Programme

Full financial support for high-achieving Matric/FSc students

Test-day checklist

✓Your test card isn't posted — print it from the LUMS application portal two weeks before the test
✓Bring the printed, signed Test Registration Slip
✓Bring your CNIC, juvenile card (B-form card) or passport — no other ID is accepted
✓No calculators on any section — practise manual calculation
✓Need a different test centre? Request it with a reason before LUMS's deadline
✓Applying for financial aid? It has its own deadline, shortly after the test

What Happens After the Test?

LUMS evaluates applicants holistically — the LCAT is one part of a multi-step review.

Academic Background Review

Your Matric/FSc, A-Level, O-Level, American HS or IB record is checked against the minimum eligibility criteria.

Admission Test

Your LCAT, SAT or ACT score is reviewed — no minimum score is published, but a stronger score strengthens your file. LCAT scores are used internally and not shown to applicants.

Application & Document Review

Your full application, supporting documents and Teacher Evaluations are reviewed together.

Interview — if called

Shortlisted candidates may be called for an interview, depending on the programme.

Final Decision

Offers go out between mid-April and the end of July, so yours may arrive at a different time from a friend's. Offers are conditional until your final results meet the requirements.