LCAT (LUMS Common Admission Test)
LUMS Common Admission Test and the SAT/ACT admission route for LUMS undergraduate programmes
LUMS accepts three test routes for undergraduate admission: the SAT, the ACT, or its own LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT). LUMS states officially that the LCAT is a multiple-choice test similar to the SAT, with Verbal and Math sections and an approximate duration of three hours, while noting that its timing and format may differ from the SAT. LUMS schedules the LCAT once per admission cycle, and evaluates applicants on academic background, admission-test performance, application review and interview — without publishing a numeric weightage formula.
Test date: 15 February 2026 for the Fall 2026 cycle; the next cycle date is not yet announced
Exam Body
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Office of Admissions — SAT is conducted by the College Board and ACT by ACT Inc.
Duration
Approximately 3 hours, as stated in the official LUMS LCAT sample-test document
Total Marks / MCQs
Not officially stated; LUMS does not publish a total marks or question count for the LCAT
Frequency
Once per admission cycle
Subjects Covered
Paper Pattern & Weightage
| Section | Detail | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted tests | SAT, or ACT, or the LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT) | Any one route |
| LCAT format | Multiple-choice test, similar to the SAT, with Verbal and Math sections | Approx. 3 hours |
| Verbal section | Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Expression of Ideas | Not stated officially |
| Math section | Published in the official LCAT sample questions document | Not stated officially |
| Selection factors | Academic background, performance in the admission test, application review and interview | No percentage formula published |
LUMS states that the LCAT's time duration and test format may vary from the SAT, so treat the three-hour figure as the officially stated approximation rather than a fixed limit. Marks, question counts and the weightage between test score and academic record are not published on the official LUMS pages.
Eligibility Criteria
- Matriculation with 70% marks or above together with FSc or ICS with 70% marks or above.
- O-level results in at least 8 subjects with an average grade of at least B, together with A-level in at least three full-credit subjects averaging 2 Bs and 1 C.
- American High School Diploma with 70% or above, or a GPA of B or above.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma with at least 28 out of 45 points.
- One of SAT, ACT or LCAT scores must be submitted with the application.
- Programme-specific requirements apply, so confirm the criteria on your own programme page at LUMS.
Official Schedule
| LCAT (Fall 2026 cycle) | 15 February 2026 |
| LCAT duration | Approximately 3 hours |
| Total marks | Not officially stated |
| Next cycle dates | Not yet announced — check the LUMS critical dates page |
Preparation Tips
- 1Decide your route early: the SAT and ACT have their own registration calendars, while the LCAT is held once in the LUMS cycle.
- 2Because the LCAT follows an SAT-style multiple-choice design, SAT-style Verbal and Math practice transfers directly.
- 3Work through the official LUMS LCAT sample questions document before any third-party material.
- 4Practise the four Verbal areas separately — reading for structure, for ideas, for grammar conventions, and for clearer expression.
- 5Train under a three-hour sitting so stamina is not the reason your accuracy drops.
- 6Check that you clear the 70% academic bar in your own qualification system before planning around test scores.
- 7Prepare for the interview stage too, since LUMS lists it as part of the evaluation alongside test performance.
Official Sources
- LUMS — testing and admissions (SAT, ACT, LCAT routes)
- LUMS — official LCAT sample questions (duration and sections)
- LUMS — critical dates for all programmes
- LUMS — BS Computer Science admission criteria
All facts on this page were read from the official sources above and verified on 25 September 2026. Where an official notice does not state something yet, this page says “not yet announced” instead of guessing.
Start Practicing
Practice LCAT (LUMS Common Admission Test) style MCQs free and track your weak areas.
Browse MCQsPractise English and Maths MCQsThe LCAT is Verbal and Math only, so aptitude practice is the most useful preparation.