Overview:

The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) is one of Pakistan’s most reputed business universities. Founded in 1955, the university has gradually become one of Pakistan’s leading institutions. Due to a focus on quality education and a limited number of seats, only ~4,000 students get admission out of tens of thousands of applicants each year.

For Undergraduates:

Programs Offered:

 

• BBA | Bachelor of Business Administration (http://bba.iba.edu.pk/)
• BS-ACF | Bachelor of Science, Accounting & Finance (http://accounting.iba.edu.pk/index.php)
• BS-CS | Bachelor of Science, Computer Science (https://cs.iba.edu.pk/bscs/aboutbscs.php)
• BS-Eco | Bachelor of Science, Economics (https://economics.iba.edu.pk/bs-economics.php)
• BS-EM | Bachelor of Science, Economics & Mathematics (https://economics.iba.edu.pk/bs-em.php)
• BS-Math | Bachelor of Science, Mathematics (https://mathematics.iba.edu.pk/bsmathematics/)
• BS-SS & LA | Bachelor of Science, Social Sciences & Liberal Arts (http://ssla.iba.edu.pk/)

Eligibility Criteria:

BBA (One of the following):

• Higher Secondary School Certificate with a minimum of 65% marks.
• A’ Levels with a minimum of 2 ‘B’s and 1 ‘C’ in three principal subjects such that there should be no grade less than a ‘C’ across the three principal subjects. No credit is applicable for any subsidiary, general, or advanced supplementary paper.
• American / Canadian High School Diploma with a minimum of 80% or an International Baccalaureate with at least 25 points out of 45. All other degree holders must provide an equivalency certificate from IBCC.

BS-CS/BS-Eco & Math (One of the following):

• Higher Secondary School Certificate (Pre-Engineering) with a minimum of 60% marks OR Higher Secondary School Certificate (General Group with Mathematics) with a minimum of 60% marks.
• A’ Levels with a minimum of 1 ‘B’ and 2 ‘C’s in three principal subjects (including Mathematics) such that there should be no grade less than a ‘C’ across the three principal subjects. No credit is applicable for any subsidiary, general, or advanced supplementary paper.
• American / Canadian High School Diploma with a minimum of 80% or an International Baccalaureate with at least 24 points out of 45. All other degree holders must provide an equivalency certificate from IBCC.

BS-ACF/BS- SS & LA (One of the following):

• Higher Secondary School Certificate with a minimum of 60% marks.
• A’ Levels with a minimum of 1 ‘B’ and 2 ‘C’s in three principal subjects such that there should be no grade less than a ‘C’ across the three principal subjects. No credit is applicable for any subsidiary, general, or advanced supplementary paper
• American / Canadian High School Diploma with a minimum of 80% or an International Baccalaureate with at least 24 points out of 45. All other degree holders must provide an equivalency certificate from IBCC.

Recent Blogs

 

Exemption From IBA’s Aptitude Test:

BBA & BS-ACF Program | SAT-1:

• A score of 600 (out of 800) in Mathematics
• A score of 600 (out of 800) in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
• A total of 1270 is required.
• Scores of Essay are not required for the purposes of admission. However, they may preferably be submitted for placement in English courses subsequent to admission.

BS-SS & BS-ECO Program | SAT-1:

• A score of 600 (out of 800) in Mathematics
• A score of 600 (out of 800) in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
• Scores of Essay are not required for the purposes of admission. However, they may preferably be submitted for placement in English courses subsequent to admission.

BS-CS Program | SAT-1:

• A score of 670 (out of 800) in Mathematics.
• A score of 600 (out of 800) in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing.
• Scores of Essay are not required for the purposes of admission. However, they may preferably be submitted for placement in English courses subsequent to admission.

BS-EM Program | SAT-1:

• A score of 640 (out of 800) in Mathematics
• A score of 600 (out of 800) in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
• Scores of Essay are not required for the purposes of admission. However, may preferably be submitted for placement in English courses subsequent to admission.

BBA Program | ACT:

• A Composite Score of 29 (out of 36)
• An English / Writing Score of 25 (out of 36)

BS-SS Program | ACT:

• A Composite Score of 28 (out of 36)
• An English / Writing Score of 25 (out of 36)

BS-ACF/BS-CS/BS-EM | ACT:

• A Composite Score of 28 (out of 36)
• The Score of English / Writing is not required for the purposes of admission. However, they may preferably be submitted for placement in English courses subsequent to admission.

Admission Schedule | Fall 2023:

Activity	BBA, BS-ACF, BS-ECO, BS-SS | R-I	BS-EM , BS-CS, BS-MATH | R-I	BBA, BS-ACF, BS-ECO, BS-SS | R-II	BS-EM, BS-CS, BS-MATH | R-II
Online Forms Availability	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Saturday, April 01, 2023	Saturday, April 01, 2023
Form Submission Deadline	Friday, February 3, 2023	Friday, February 24, 2023	Friday, June 16, 2023	Friday, July 7, 2023
Issuance of Admit Cards (to be emailed to all candidates)	February 2 – 3, 2023	February 23 –24, 2023	June 15 – 16, 2023	July 6 – 7, 2023
Aptitude Test Date	Sunday, February 12, 2023 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)	Sunday, March 5, 2023 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)	Sunday, June 25, 2023 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)	Sunday, July 16, 2023 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)
Announcement of Aptitude Test Result	Tuesday, February 21, 2023	Tuesday, March 14, 2023	Wednesday, July 5, 2023	Friday, July 21, 2023
Interviews	February 23 – 25, 2023	March 16 – 18, 2023	July 7 – 10, 2023	July 24 – 26, 2023
Final Result (After Interviews)	Tuesday, February 28, 2023	Tuesday, March 21, 2023	Wednesday, July 12, 2023	Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Orientation Session	Sunday, August 20, 2023	Sunday, August 20, 2023	Sunday, August 20, 2023	Sunday, August 20, 2023
Commencement of Classes	Monday, August 21, 2023	Monday, August 21, 2023	Monday, August 21, 2023	Monday, August 21, 2023

For Graduates:

Programs Offered:

• MBA | Master in Business Administration (https://mba.iba.edu.pk/)
• EMBA | Executive Master in Business Administration (https://mbaexecutive.iba.edu.pk/)
• MS-CS | Master of Science, Computer Science (https://cs.iba.edu.pk/mscs/aboutmscs.php)
• MS-Data Science | Master of Science, Data Science (https://cs.iba.edu.pk/msds/aboutmsds.php)
• MS-Development Studies | Master of Science, Development Studies (https://msdev.iba.edu.pk/about-program.php)
• MS-Eco | Master of Science, Economics (https://economics.iba.edu.pk/graduate.php)
• MS-Finance | Master of Science, Finance (https://msfinance.iba.edu.pk/)
• MS-Islamic Banking & Finance | Master of Science, Islamic Banking and Finance (https://msibf.iba.edu.pk/)
• MS-Journalism | Master of Science, Journalism (https://cej.iba.edu.pk/msj.php)
• MS-Management | Master of Science, Management (https://management.iba.edu.pk/graduate.php)
• MS-Math | Master of Science, Mathematics (https://mathematics.iba.edu.pk/ms_mathematics.php)
• MS-Marketing | Master of Science, Marketing (https://msmarketing.iba.edu.pk/)

Eligibility Criteria:

MBA/MBA-Evening/MS (One of the following):

• A minimum of 16 years of education (culminating in a master’s degree or equivalent) out of which 4 years should have been spent in an HEC-recognized university/degree awarding institute with a 2.5 CGPA or 60% in the last degree (whichever is applicable). Candidates with work experience will be preferred.
• A minimum of 60% aggregate marks in the last degree where applicable; provided numerical scores of each subject are mentioned in the mark sheet.
• For Test Exemption: Minimum 600 scores in GMAT / 160 in Quantitative & 150 in the Verbal section of GRE is required.

EMBA(One of the following):

• A minimum of 16 years of education (culminating in BS/BBA/BE/MA/M.Com/LLB/MBBS/ACCA/CA etc.) out of which 4 years should have been spent in an HEC-recognized university/degree awarding institute with a 2.5 CGPA or 60% marks in the last degree (whichever is applicable) and 3 years of experience gained after completing education.
• Foreign degree holders must present an Equivalence Certificate from HEC*
• For Test Exemption: Minimum 600 scores in GMAT / 160 in Quantitative & 150 in the Verbal section of GRE required for exemption.

*All equivalency claims shall be evaluated by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Please contact HEC at www.hec.gov.pk if you have a foreign degree. ACCA holders are exempted.

Work Experience Requirement:

For MBA Applicants:

• Work experience requirement for admission to IBA’s MBA program is preferred.
• Work experience comprises post-qualification work experience in multinationals, large domestic corporations, and large family business
• For self-employed and smaller family businesses the ‘Work Evaluation Committee’ will decide if the experience is acceptable for admission to IBA
• The work evaluation committee will comprise a member of the Admission Committee, Director MBA Program and an IBA alumnus with at least 10 years of work experience.

For EMBA Applicants:

• The minimum experience requirement for admission to MBA Executive will comprise 3 years of experience after completion of 16 years of education (in first class or 2.5 CGPA) from an HEC-recognized institute.
• However, preference will be given to those who are carrying five-year experience after qualification.
• For self-employed and family businesses, the ‘Admission Committee’ will decide if the experience is acceptable for admission to IBA.
• The education requirement should meet the criteria established by HEC.

Admission Schedule | Spring 2023:

Activity	MBA Executive (to be Approved by MBA Executive department)	MS -CS, MS-Math, MS-Data Science (CS Stream Only), & PhD-CS, PhD-Math
Open House Sessions	To be decided by the Marketing & Communication Department
Online Forms Availability	Monday, October 10, 2022	Monday, October 10, 2022
Form Submission Deadline	Friday, November 25, 2022	Friday, November 25, 2022
Issuance of Admit Cards (to be emailed to all candidates)	November 24 – 25, 2022 (to be emailed to all candidates)	November 24 – 25, 2022 (to be emailed to all candidates)
Aptitude Test Date & Time	Sunday, December 04, 2022 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)	Sunday, December 04, 2022 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)
Announcement of Aptitude Test Result	Wednesday, December 14, 2022	Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Interviews	December 17 & 18, 2022	December 19 – 21, 2022
Final Result (After Interviews)	Friday, December 23, 2022	Monday, December 26, 2022
Orientation Session	TBA	Thursday, January 12, 2023
Commencement of Classes	TBA	Friday, January 13, 2023

Admission Schedule | Fall 2023:

Activity	MBA-Morning & MBA-Evening	MBA Executive (to be approved by MBA Executive department)	MS-CS, MS-ECO, MS-Islamic Banking & Finance, MS-Math, MS-Management (Full-Time / Part-Time), MS-Finance, MS-Data Science (Non-CS Stream Only), MS- Development Studies, MS-Marketing & PhD-CS, PhD-Math, PhD-ECO
Open House	To be decided by the Marketing & Communication Department
Online Forms Availability	Wednesday, February 1, 2023	Wednesday, February 1, 2023	Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Form Submission Deadline	Friday, March 31, 2023	Friday, May 19, 2023	Friday, July 7, 2023
Issuance of Admit Cards	March 30 – 31, 2023 (to be emailed to all candidates)	May 18 – 19, 2023 (to be emailed to all candidates)	July 6 – 7, 2023 (to be emailed to all candidates)
Aptitude Test Date	Sunday, April 16, 2023 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)	Sunday, May 28, 2023 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)	Sunday, July 16, 2023 (Reporting Time: 8:30 AM, Test Start Time: 9:00 AM)
Announcement of Aptitude Test Result	Friday, April 28, 2023	Tuesday, June 13, 2023	Thursday, July 27, 2023
Interviews & Group Discussion *	May 02 – May 11, 2023	June 17 – 18, 2023	July 31 – Aug 4, 2023
Final Result (After GD & Interviews)	Tuesday, May 16, 2023	Thursday, June 22, 2023	Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Summer Orientation Program for MBA (mandatory)	June 19 – August 19, 2023 (from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Daily)	–	–
Orientation Session	Sunday, August 20, 2023	Sunday, August 20, 2023	Sunday, August 20, 2023
Commencement of Classes	Monday, August 21, 2023	Monday, August 21, 2023	Monday, August 21, 2023

IBA Test Structure/Pattern:

	BBA/ACF/ECO/SS	ECO-MATH/CS	MBA/EMBA
Test format	English, Mathematics	English, Mathematics	English, Mathematics, Essay writing
No. of questions	45 each in eng and math	45 each in eng and math	45 each in eng and math
English Section	Close Passages, Critical Reading, Vocabulary in context, Sentence Completion, Grammar	Close Passages, Critical Reading, Vocabulary in context, Sentence Completion, Grammar	Close Passages, Critical Reading, Vocabulary in context, Sentence Completion, Grammar
Math Section	Algebra, Aritmetic, Word problems, Geometry, Stats	Algebra, Aritmetic, Word problems, Geometry, Stats	Algebra, Aritmetic, Word problems, Geometry, Stats
Essay	Not included	Not included	Essay in MBA, Case Study in EMBA
Scoring	4 points for each correct answer	4 points for each correct answer	4 points for each correct answer
Negative marking	No	No	No
Use of calculator	No	No	No
Section time (minutes)	English: 45-55 Math: 70-90	English: 45-55 Math 70-90	English: 45-55 Math 70-90
Interviews	High scorers are exempted, others are required to give interviews	High scorers are exempted, others are required to give interviews	Everyone has to give interviews
Group discussion	No	No	Only for MBA

Aptitude Test:

The Aptitude Test is conducted on simultaneously in Karachi and other cities on specified dates announced in media / on IBA’s website. Candidates may choose the test location while applying online. The Admit Cards issued to the applicants indicate the test center, date, and reporting time. Please make sure to read all instructions given on the back of the Admit Card carefully. The applicants should bring their Admit Cards along with a photo ID to be able to appear for the Aptitude Test. Candidates who pass the Aptitude Test qualify for the group discussion followed by an interview.

Interview & Group Discussion:

IBA gives direct admission to students with a high score (defined year to year). Others, are required to give an interview and clearance of which confirms the admission. Length of interview vary from case to case and student to student.

What Should You Expect In IBA’s Interview?

The main purpose of the interview is to scan you and to know more about you. You will be asked some personal questions, your general knowledge and IQ will be tested through questions regarding current affairs, and you will be asked questions about your studies to check your temperament.

MBA Morning vs Evening:

The course and degree for MBA Morning and Evening are completely the same. The main difference is that MBA Evening is longer than MBA Morning, with the former taking upto 3.5 years and the latter approximately 2 years. This is because those who take up MBA Evening work in jobs as well, giving less time to their studies which increases the course duration.

MBA vs MBA Executive | What’s the difference?

The degree is the same and both EMBA and MBA degrees have the same qualification written on them. However, EMBA classes are normally held on weekends, whereas MBA classes are held on weekdays. In addition, EMBA requires a minimum of 3 years of working experience whose requirements have been mentioned above. In the end, EMBA is normally taken up by high-end professionals who are busy on weekdays and are older in age, while those who are generally young and have recently graduated go towards MBA.

What is the National Talent-Hunt Program (NTHP)?

The NTHP is an initiative by IBA to support those students who cannot afford to study at IBA but have excellent academic records. There is a separate process for the NTHP that consists of a test and an interview. Following that, the student attempts the R-11 entry test, and if they are successful then they are awarded a scholarship by IBA.