SZABIST Entry Test 2026 — Syllabus, Dates & Paper Pattern
Last updated:Complete syllabus for the SZABIST undergraduate entry test (BBA, BS Accounting & Finance, BS CS, BS AI, Media Science, Psychology & more). Every program sits 100 MCQs in 90 minutes — English (30), Math (20), IQ (20) and a 30-MCQ section matched to your program. Maqsad's BCAT prep covers the English, Math and reasoning core that every stream shares.
SZABIST 2026 Test Format & Paper Pattern
Every undergraduate applicant takes the same 70-MCQ core — English, Math and IQ — followed by a 30-MCQ section that depends on the program you apply for. Questions have five options (a–e), each worth 1 mark, and there is no essay.
100
Total MCQs
100
Total marks
90 min
Duration
Section-wise weightage
TapHover over a sector to see breakdown
| Section | MCQs | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 |
| IQ | 20 | 20 |
| Program section | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
What your 30-MCQ program section covers
Business
General Knowledge
BBA, BS Accounting & Finance +3 more
Computing
Computer
BS Computer Science, BS Software Engineering +1 more
Media
Media Science
Bachelor of Media Science
Social Sciences
Social Science
BS Social Sciences, BS Psychology +5 more
Engineering
Math, Physics & Chemistry
BE Mechatronics Engineering, BS Autonomous Systems & AI
Life Sciences
Science & Chemistry
BS Biosciences, BS Biotechnology +3 more
* BS Nutrition & Dietetics uses a different split: English 40%, Subject 30%, Quantitative 20%, General Knowledge 10%.
Does SZABIST Have Negative Marking?
No. SZABIST's sample papers carry no penalty for wrong answers — the Nutrition & Dietetics paper states it outright: there is no negative marking.
+1
Correct answer
100 MCQs, 100 marks — one mark per correct answer.
0
Wrong answer
No deduction — a wrong answer costs nothing more than a blank.
Strategy tip
Attempt all 100. With 54 seconds per question, skip anything slow on the first pass, then use the last few minutes to guess every remaining MCQ.
Never leave an answer blank.
* Source: SZABIST official undergraduate sample test papers (szabist.edu.pk). Always verify on the official site before your test.
SZABIST Admission Test — Key Dates
Karachi campus dates. SZABIST runs two rounds for Fall plus a smaller Spring intake. Fall 2026 is complete — Spring 2027 is the next window.
Fall '26 Entry Test
27 – 30 Jul 2026
Round 2 tests, results on 3 August
Fall '26 Merit List
12 Aug 2026
After interviews held 6–10 August
Fall '26 Classes Begin
14 Sep 2026
Orientation 10–12 September
Spring '27 Applications
Oct 2026
Expected — spring intake covers selected programs
Spring '27 Entry Test
Dec 2026
Expected — confirm on szabist.edu.pk
* Fall 2026 dates are from SZABIST Karachi's official admission schedule. Spring 2027 dates are estimates — Islamabad, Hyderabad and Larkana run their own schedules. Always confirm on szabist.edu.pk.
SZABIST 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates awaiting results can still apply. IBCC equivalence is mandatory for O/A Level students — A Level grades convert at A=85, B=75, C=65, D=55, E=45.
- ✓Intermediate / HSSC: minimum 50%
- ✓O Levels (8 subjects) + A Levels (3 subjects): minimum 50% after conversion
- ✓BSCS / BSSE / BSAI without Intermediate Math: 6 credit hours of Math deficiency courses
- ✓Intermediate Pre-Engineering, Computer Science or Pre-Medical: minimum 60%
- ✓Matric / O Level in the Science group
- ✓DAE holders with 60% in a relevant field may apply
- ✓FSc Pre-Medical or Pre-Engineering: minimum 50%
- ✓A Levels with two of Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- ✓Nutrition & Dietetics also accepts FSc Home Economics
SZABIST Syllabus 2026 — Section by Section
Topics and question counts are mapped from SZABIST's official undergraduate sample papers. The first three sections are identical for every program.
English
Common to all programs · 6 question types
| # | Topic | Sub-topics / What to study | MCQs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Synonyms | Choose the word closest in meaning — build a list of high-frequency academic vocabulary | 5 |
| 02 | Antonyms | Choose the word most opposite in meaning — learn words in synonym/antonym pairs | 5 |
| 03 | Substitute Words | One-word substitution for a phrase (e.g. a person who cannot read or write → illiterate) | 5 |
| 04 | Incomplete Sentences | Fill the blank with the grammatically correct word — tenses, prepositions, articles, subject–verb agreement | 5 |
| 05 | Confused Words | Commonly confused pairs — affect/effect, principal/principle, stationary/stationery, lose/loose | 5 |
| 06 | Reading Comprehension | Short passage followed by questions on main idea, detail and inference | 5 |
Choose the word closest in meaning — build a list of high-frequency academic vocabulary
Choose the word most opposite in meaning — learn words in synonym/antonym pairs
One-word substitution for a phrase (e.g. a person who cannot read or write → illiterate)
Fill the blank with the grammatically correct word — tenses, prepositions, articles, subject–verb agreement
Commonly confused pairs — affect/effect, principal/principle, stationary/stationery, lose/loose
Short passage followed by questions on main idea, detail and inference
Mathematics
Common to all programs · Matric / Intermediate level
| # | Topic | Sub-topics / What to study | MCQs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Arithmetic | Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, averages and order of operations | 5 |
| 02 | Algebra | Linear and simple quadratic equations, simplifying expressions, exponents | 5 |
| 03 | Number Series | Find the next term — arithmetic, geometric and alternating patterns | 5 |
| 04 | Word Problems | Profit and loss, speed–distance–time, ages, work and time, simple interest | 5 |
Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, averages and order of operations
Linear and simple quadratic equations, simplifying expressions, exponents
Find the next term — arithmetic, geometric and alternating patterns
Profit and loss, speed–distance–time, ages, work and time, simple interest
IQ
Common to all programs · verbal & non-verbal reasoning
| # | Topic | Sub-topics / What to study |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Number & Letter Series | Continue the pattern in sequences of numbers, letters or both |
| 02 | Odd One Out | Spot the word, number or figure that does not belong to the group |
| 03 | Missing Figures | Non-verbal reasoning — complete a pattern or matrix of shapes |
Continue the pattern in sequences of numbers, letters or both
Spot the word, number or figure that does not belong to the group
Non-verbal reasoning — complete a pattern or matrix of shapes
Program Section — General Knowledge
Depends on the program you apply for
| # | Topic | Sub-topics / What to study |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pakistan Affairs | History, geography, constitution, key institutions and national personalities |
| 02 | Current Affairs | Recent national and international events, world leaders and international organisations |
| 03 | Business & Economy | Well-known companies and brands, basic economic terms, currencies and trade bodies |
| 04 | General Science & World GK | Inventions, discoveries, capitals, sports and everyday science |
History, geography, constitution, key institutions and national personalities
Recent national and international events, world leaders and international organisations
Well-known companies and brands, basic economic terms, currencies and trade bodies
Inventions, discoveries, capitals, sports and everyday science
Merit Calculation & SAT Alternative
SZABIST does not publish a minimum passing score — admission is decided by your overall merit position.
Islamabad campus — official
Merit weightage
50%
Entry test
30%
Interview
20%
Academic record
Karachi does not publish its formula, but its SAT conversion scores the test out of 50 — so the test is likely half your merit there too.
Minimum SAT 1100 / 1600
SAT in place of the entry test
| SAT score | Test marks (of 50) |
|---|---|
| 1500 – 1600 | 50 |
| 1400 – 1499 | 45 |
| 1300 – 1399 | 40 |
| 1200 – 1299 | 35 |
| 1100 – 1199 | 30 |
* Source: SZABIST Prospectus 2025–26. 100% in the SZABIST test also equals 50.
What Happens After the Test?
The whole cycle moves fast — in Fall 2026 Round 2, results came out four days after the test and the merit list two weeks later.
Entry Test
100 MCQs in 90 minutes. Results are posted on the admissions portal within a few days.
Interview / Group Discussion
Every applicant is interviewed — it can carry up to 30% of merit. Be ready to explain why you chose the program and what you want to do after it.
Merit List
Seats are offered on the combined score of test, interview and academics.
Pay Fee & Join
Pay the admission fee by the deadline (about two weeks after the merit list), then attend orientation before classes begin.
Prepare for SZABIST 2026 — Live Classes, Video Lectures & Practice
70 of the 100 MCQs are English, Math and IQ — the same core every business-school test rewards. Master it once and you are ready for SZABIST, IoBM and IBA.
Live Classes
Daily BCAT classes for English and Math with Maqsad's expert teachers
Join a live classVideo Lectures
Topic-wise lectures on vocabulary, grammar, arithmetic and reasoning — watch at your own pace
Watch lecturesMock Tests
Timed practice tests to build speed and accuracy before test day
Start a mock test
