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Aptitude · Business · CS

IBA Aptitude Test 2027

IBA
Conducted byInstitute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi

IBA Karachi Undergraduate Aptitude Test — the admission test for BBA, BS Accounting & Finance, BS Economics, BS Computer Science, BS Mathematics, BS Economics & Mathematics, BS Social Sciences and other undergraduate programmes at IBA Karachi.

Purpose of the test

What IBA Aptitude Test is for

IBA Karachi admits undergraduates through its own aptitude test, followed by an interview or group discussion for shortlisted candidates. Unlike engineering tests, it does not follow the FSc syllabus; it tests English and Mathematics at roughly SAT level.

IBA runs two rounds for each Fall intake. Admission is strictly on merit with no quota seats, and IBA admits students from across Pakistan regardless of domicile.

Accepted for

  • BBA and BS Accounting & Finance
  • BS Economics, Mathematics, Economics & Mathematics
  • BS Computer Science and BS Social Sciences

Test centres: IBA Main & City campuses, Karachi

Schedule

Upcoming IBA Aptitude Test dates

Dates that have passed drop off automatically. Confirmed dates are published by IBA Karachi; Tentative dates are official but may move; Expected dates are Tayarri's estimate from the last cycle.

EventDateStatus
Fall 2027 Round 1 applicationsJan – Mar 2027Expected
Round 1 aptitude testApr 2027Expected
Round 2 applicationsMay – early Jun 2027Expected
Round 2 aptitude testLate Jun 2027Expected

For Fall 2025 the Round 1 test was on 6 Apr and Round 2 on 22 Jun. IBA posts the Fall 2027 calendar on its admissions portal. Always confirm on iba.edu.pk before you register or pay.

Last checked by Tayarri: 18 Oct 2026

Nature of the test

Test pattern & marking

Conducted byIBA Karachi Admissions
SectionsEnglish and Mathematics (some programmes add an essay)
Negative markingApplied in recent cycles — see the current sample paper
LevelBroadly SAT-level reasoning
After the testInterview and/or group discussion for shortlisted candidates
RoundsTwo rounds per Fall cycle
Section balanceTayarri practice split shown; IBA publishes sample papers per programme
English · 50%Mathematics · 50%

The English section tests grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension; Mathematics covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry and word problems with traps built into the wording. Negative marking means a careful 70% beats a careless 80% attempt rate.

Scoring higher

Skills that lift your IBA Test score

SKILL 01

Accuracy over volume

Negative marking: skip questions you cannot narrow down.

SKILL 02

Word-problem translation

Turn sentences into equations quickly and check what is actually asked.

SKILL 03

Grammar and usage

Error spotting and sentence correction are reliable marks.

SKILL 04

Reading comprehension

Practise main idea, inference and tone questions.

SKILL 05

Use both rounds

Sit Round 1 to learn the paper; Round 2 is a second chance.

SKILL 06

Interview prep

Be ready to discuss current affairs and why you chose the programme.

Learning curve

Your 8-week path to 75%+

The dashed line is the target curve for an hour a day. Your own diagnostic, sectional and mock scores on this device plot on top of it, so you can see whether you are ahead or behind.

DiagnoseWeeks 1–1
English skillsWeeks 2–4
Math reasoningWeeks 5–6
Full mocksWeeks 7–8

Take the diagnostic to plot your first point.

Full preparedness

Prep & mock test series

Work through the stages in order. Each mock uses its own questions, so a score from mock 3 is a fresh measurement, not a memory test.

1Diagnose
2Prep tests — topic ladders

All 11 topic ladders are listed in the syllabus above.

3Sectional tests
4Full-length mocks
5More practice on Tayarri
Questions

IBA Aptitude Test FAQ

What is on the IBA Karachi test?

English and Mathematics at roughly SAT level; some programmes add an essay.

Does the IBA test have negative marking?

IBA has applied negative marking in recent cycles. Check the current sample paper.

How many rounds does IBA hold?

Two rounds for each Fall intake.

What happens after the test?

Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview or group discussion.