Can I skip the AU-CBT with another test score?

Yes. Pre-Engineering applicants can use a NAT-IE or USAT-E score, Computer Science applicants can use NAT-ICS or USAT-CS, and BBA applicants can use SAT-I (1100+) or any NAT/USAT score. Scores from UET Lahore, NED-UET Karachi, MUET Jamshoro, NUST or ETEA-KPK entrance tests are also accepted. The exemption score must be valid — taken within 1 year of the AU-CBT date, with a minimum score of 50.

What is the AIR University AU-CBT test pattern 2026?

The AU-CBT has 100 MCQs to be solved in 120 minutes: English (20 MCQs), Analytical Reasoning (25 MCQs), Quantitative Reasoning (25 MCQs) and Subject Knowledge (30 MCQs — 10 each for Math, Physics and Chemistry/Computer Science). There is no negative marking.

Where can I sit the AU-CBT?

The AU-CBT is offered at Islamabad, Kamra, Multan, Kharian, Lahore and Karachi. There's no limit on retakes — you can sit the test multiple times across admission phases, and your best score counts toward merit.

Does the AU-CBT have negative marking?

No, the AU-CBT does not have negative marking. Incorrect answers do not deduct marks, so students should attempt all 100 questions.

AIR University, Islamabad

AIR University 2026 Study Plan — AU-CBT Dates, Pattern & Syllabus

Q: What entry test does AIR University use for admission in 2026?

AIR University conducts its own entry test, the AU-CBT (Computer-Based Test), which is mandatory for all undergraduate programmes unless you qualify for an exemption based on your academic background or another valid entry-test score.

Last updated: 6 July 2026

Getting into AIR University comes down to three things: knowing the AU-CBT dates, the test pattern and the syllabus — with every topic linked to its practice tests and lectures on the Maqsad app. This page walks you through all three, in order.

Preparing for the AIR University AU-CBT?

Get personalised guidance on dates, pattern and syllabus from the Maqsad team.

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Your 3-step plan

01Know the test datesAU-CBT phases, deadlines & merit lists 02Master the pattern100 MCQs across 4 sections 03Cover the syllabusTopic-by-topic, with practice links

Step 01 — Know the test dates

AIR University 2026 — AU-CBT Dates & Merit Milestones

Application deadlines, CBT phases & merit-list dates, in order.

AIR University conducts its own entry test — the AU-CBT (Computer-Based Test) — mandatory for all undergraduate programmes unless you qualify for an exemption. Sit it at Islamabad, Kamra, Multan, Kharian, Lahore & Karachi. There's no limit on retakes — you can sit the AU-CBT multiple times across phases, and your best score counts toward merit.

AU-CBT Exemptions — Skip the Test

Already have a valid score from one of these exemption tests? You can skip the AU-CBT entirely. An exemption score must be valid — taken within 1 year of the AU-CBT date, with a minimum score of 50.

Background	Eligible Academic Background	Accepted Exemption Test(s)
Pre-Engineering	F.Sc (Pre-Engineering) / A-Levels with Math, Physics, Chemistry	NAT-IE or USAT-E
Computer Science	Intermediate in Computer Science (ICS)	NAT-ICS or USAT-CS
Business (BBA)	Any Intermediate stream	SAT-I (≥1100) or any NAT/USAT
Other entrance tests	Any Intermediate stream	UET Lahore, NED-UET Karachi, MUET Jamshoro, NUST or ETEA-KPK entrance tests

Pre-Engineering

Eligible background

F.Sc (Pre-Engineering) / A-Levels with Math, Physics, Chemistry

Accepted exemption test(s)

NAT-IE or USAT-E

Computer Science

Eligible background

Intermediate in Computer Science (ICS)

Accepted exemption test(s)

NAT-ICS or USAT-CS

Business (BBA)

Eligible background

Any Intermediate stream

Accepted exemption test(s)

SAT-I (≥1100) or any NAT/USAT

Other entrance tests

Eligible background

Any Intermediate stream

Accepted exemption test(s)

UET Lahore, NED-UET Karachi, MUET Jamshoro, NUST or ETEA-KPK entrance tests

Here's the full Fall 2026 admission timeline — CBT phases, application deadlines and merit lists, in order.

Milestone	Date	Status
Application Deadline Phase-I (All Programs)	20 Apr 2026	Completed
CBT (Phase-I)	1 May 2026	Completed
Application Deadline Phase-II, III & IV (UG Programs)	2 Jul 2026	Completed
Islamabad CBT (Phase-II)	29 Jun 2026	Completed
Islamabad CBT (Phase-III)	6–15 Jul 2026	In Progress
Out-Station CBT — AU Kamra Campus	14 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Out-Station CBT — AU Multan Campus	14–15 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Out-Station CBT — AU Kharian Campus	15 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Out-Station CBT — Lahore Station	16–17 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Out-Station CBT — AU Karachi Campus	18 Jul 2026	Upcoming
CBT Phase-IV (Islamabad Campus)	22–23 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Portal Open — Change Program Preference	24–26 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Application Deadline (PG Programs)	28 Jul 2026	Upcoming
1st Merit List (UG Programs)	27 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Fee Deadline — 1st Merit List	30 Jul 2026	Upcoming
2nd Merit List (UG Programs)	31 Jul 2026	Upcoming
Fee Deadline — 2nd Merit List	5 Aug 2026	Upcoming
3rd & Onward Merit Lists	6 Aug 2026	Upcoming
Fee Deadline — 3rd Merit List	12 Aug 2026	Upcoming
Orientation Day	30 Aug 2026	Upcoming
1st Day of Classes	31 Aug 2026	Upcoming

Application Deadline Phase-I (All Programs)

20 Apr 2026Completed

CBT (Phase-I)

1 May 2026Completed

Application Deadline Phase-II, III & IV (UG Programs)

2 Jul 2026Completed

Islamabad CBT (Phase-II)

29 Jun 2026Completed

Islamabad CBT (Phase-III)

6–15 Jul 2026In Progress

Out-Station CBT — AU Kamra Campus

14 Jul 2026Upcoming

Out-Station CBT — AU Multan Campus

14–15 Jul 2026Upcoming

Out-Station CBT — AU Kharian Campus

15 Jul 2026Upcoming

Out-Station CBT — Lahore Station

16–17 Jul 2026Upcoming

Out-Station CBT — AU Karachi Campus

18 Jul 2026Upcoming

CBT Phase-IV (Islamabad Campus)

22–23 Jul 2026Upcoming

Portal Open — Change Program Preference

24–26 Jul 2026Upcoming

Application Deadline (PG Programs)

28 Jul 2026Upcoming

1st Merit List (UG Programs)

27 Jul 2026Upcoming

Fee Deadline — 1st Merit List

30 Jul 2026Upcoming

2nd Merit List (UG Programs)

31 Jul 2026Upcoming

Fee Deadline — 2nd Merit List

5 Aug 2026Upcoming

3rd & Onward Merit Lists

6 Aug 2026Upcoming

Fee Deadline — 3rd Merit List

12 Aug 2026Upcoming

Orientation Day

30 Aug 2026Upcoming

1st Day of Classes

31 Aug 2026Upcoming

* Confirm your exact date, centre and status when you apply — AIR University assigns your slot after registration. See the official AIR University admission schedule.

Step 02 — Master the test pattern

AIR University AU-CBT Test Format & Paper Pattern

100 MCQs · 100 marks · 120 minutes · no negative marking.

The Subjects portion is Maths, Physics and Chemistry — 10 marks each (Computer Science replaces Chemistry for Computer Science background applicants). Attempt everything — wrong answers cost nothing.

100total MCQs

TapHover over a sector to see breakdown

Section	MCQs	Weight
Verbal Reasoning	20	20%
Analytical Reasoning	25	25%
Quantitative Reasoning	25	25%
Maths	10	10%
Physics	10	10%
Chemistry / Comp Sci	10	10%
Total	100	100%

Step 03 — Cover the syllabus

AIR University AU-CBT Syllabus 2026 — Section-wise Breakdown

Section by section, topic-by-topic, with practice links for each.

Pick a section below — every topic links straight to its practice MCQs and video lectures on the Maqsad app.

Verbal Reasoning

20 MCQs · 4 topics

Sentence Completion

5 marks

Watch a class

Test yourself

Worksheets

Comprehension

5 marks

Watch a class

Module 5 — Reading Comprehension

Test yourself

Reading Comprehension

Worksheets

Comprehension worksheets (Drive)

Synonyms & Antonyms

7 marks

Watch a class

Test yourself

Analogy

3 marks

Watch a class

Test yourself

Analogy

Weak on the basics? Start with Module 1 live classes and the rest of the Verbal Reasoning video lectures before drilling these topics.

Analytical Reasoning

25 MCQs · 2 topics

Scenario-based

Statements-based

Watch a class

Test yourself

Quantitative Reasoning

25 MCQs · 3 topics

Algebra

Watch a class

Test yourself

Geometry

Watch a class

Test yourself

Mathematics

10 MCQs · 21 topics

Number Systems

Watch a class

Test yourself

Number Systems

Sets, Functions, and Groups

Watch a class

Test yourself

Sets, Functions, and Groups

Quadratic Equations

Watch a class

Test yourself

Quadratic Equations

Exponents and Logarithms

Watch a class

Logarithms

Test yourself

Exponents and Logarithms

Partial Fractions

Watch a class

Test yourself

Partial Fractions

Mathematical Induction and Binomial Theorem

Test yourself

Mathematical Induction and Binomial Theorem

Matrices and Determinants

Watch a class

Test yourself

Matrices and Determinants

Vectors

Watch a class

Test yourself

Vectors

Sequences and Series

Watch a class

Test yourself

Sequences and Series

Permutation and Combination

Watch a class

Test yourself

Permutation and Combination

Probability

Test yourself

Probability

Fundamentals of Trigonometry

Watch a class

Test yourself

Fundamentals of Trigonometry

Trigonometric Identities

Test yourself

Trigonometric Identities

Solutions of Triangles

Test yourself

Solutions of Triangles

Functions and Limits

Watch a class

Test yourself

Functions and Limits

Differentiation

Watch a class

Test yourself

Differentiation

Integration

Watch a class

Test yourself

Integration

Straight Lines

Watch a class

Test yourself

Straight Lines

Linear Inequalities and Linear Programming

Watch a class

Test yourself

Linear Inequalities and Linear Programming

Circle

Test yourself

Circle

Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola

Test yourself

Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola

Chapter-wise tests and video lectures are still being added for Functions & Limits onward — use the full Math practice and lecture links below in the meantime.

Physics

10 MCQs · 24 topics

Measurement

Test yourself

Measurement

Scalars & Vectors

Test yourself

Scalars & Vectors

Force & Motion

Watch a class

1-Shot: Mechanics + Work & Energy + Projectile Motion

Test yourself

Force & Motion

Rotational & Circular Motion

Watch a class

1-Shot: Rotational Motion + Torque & Angular Momentum

Test yourself

Rotational & Circular Motion

Torque, Angular Momentum & Equilibrium

Test yourself

Torque, Angular Momentum & Equilibrium

Fluid Dynamics

Watch a class

Test yourself

Fluid Dynamics

Work & Energy

Test yourself

Work & Energy

Gravitation

Test yourself

Gravitation

Waves & Sound

Watch a class

Waves & Oscillations

Test yourself

Waves & Sound

Oscillations

Test yourself

Oscillations

Nature of Light

Test yourself

Nature of Light

Optics

Watch a class

1-Shot: Geometrical & Physical Optics

Test yourself

Optics

Physics of Solids

Test yourself

Physics of Solids

Thermodynamics

Test yourself

Thermodynamics

Electrostatics

Watch a class

1-Shot: Electrostatics + Current Electricity + Electromagnetism

Test yourself

Electrostatics

Current Electricity

Test yourself

Current Electricity

Electromagnetism

Test yourself

Electromagnetism

Electromagnetic Induction

Watch a class

1-Shot: EM Induction + Electrical Instruments + Electronics

Test yourself

Electromagnetic Induction

Alternating Current

Test yourself

Alternating Current

Electrical Measuring Instruments

Test yourself

Electrical Measuring Instruments

Electronics

Test yourself

Electronics

Dawn of Modern Physics

Watch a class

1-Shot: Modern Physics + Atomic Spectra + Nuclear Physics

Test yourself

Dawn of Modern Physics

Atomic Spectra

Test yourself

Atomic Spectra

Nuclear Physics

Test yourself

Nuclear Physics

Chemistry

10 MCQs · 27 topics

Stoichiometry

Watch a class

Basic Concepts

Test yourself

Stoichiometry

Periodic Classification of Elements & Periodicity

Watch a class

Periodic Classification of Elements & Periodicity

Test yourself

Periodic Classification of Elements & Periodicity

Atomic Structure

Watch a class

Atomic Structure

Test yourself

Atomic Structure

Gases

Watch a class

Gases

Test yourself

Gases

Liquids & Solids

Watch a class

Liquids & Solids

Test yourself

Liquids & Solids

Chemical Bonding

Watch a class

Chemical Bonding

Test yourself

Chemical Bonding

Experimental Techniques in Chemistry

Watch a class

Experimental Techniques in Chemistry

Test yourself

Experimental Techniques in Chemistry

Chemical Equilibrium

Watch a class

Chemical Equilibrium & Reaction Kinetics

Test yourself

Chemical Equilibrium

Reaction Kinetics

Test yourself

Reaction Kinetics

Thermochemistry

Watch a class

Thermochemistry

Test yourself

Thermochemistry

Electrochemistry

Watch a class

Electrochemistry

Test yourself

Electrochemistry

Solutions

Watch a class

Solutions

Test yourself

Solutions

s-Block Elements

Watch a class

s-Block Elements

Test yourself

s-Block Elements

Group IIIA & Group IVA Elements

Watch a class

1-Shot: Groups IIIA, IVA, VA & VIA

Test yourself

Group IIIA & Group IVA Elements

Group VA & VIA Elements

Test yourself

Group VA & VIA Elements

The Halogens & the Noble Gases

Test yourself

The Halogens & the Noble Gases

Transition Elements

Test yourself

Transition Elements

Fundamental Principles of Organic Chemistry

Watch a class

Organic Chemistry 1-Shot

Test yourself

Fundamental Principles of Organic Chemistry

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Test yourself

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Test yourself

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Alkyl Halides

Test yourself

Alkyl Halides

Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers

Test yourself

Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers

Aldehydes & Ketones

Test yourself

Aldehydes & Ketones

Carboxylic Acids

Test yourself

Carboxylic Acids

Macromolecules

Test yourself

Macromolecules

Common Chemical Industries in Pakistan

Watch a class

Common Chemical Industries in Pakistan

Test yourself

Common Chemical Industries in Pakistan

Environmental Chemistry

Watch a class

Environmental Chemistry

Test yourself

Environmental Chemistry

Chemistry is the Subjects paper for Pre-Engineering & Pre-Medical backgrounds. Computer Science background applicants take Computer Science instead — see the next section.