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IBA Karachi Test study materials
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IBA Karachi Test practice questions

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Question 1Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

The IBA Karachi undergraduate admission test is used primarily to assess applicants for which of the following?

  1. Exemption from the university's English language requirement
  2. Direct entry into a professional accountancy certification program
  3. Scholarship eligibility for postgraduate MBA study
  4. Placement into the School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, and School of Mathematics and Computer Science Correct answer.

Explanation

The IBA admission test is a screening instrument for candidates seeking undergraduate placement in its constituent schools, including Business Studies, Economics and Social Sciences, and Mathematics and Computer Science. It is not a professional certification exam, nor does it exempt candidates from language requirements.

Question 2Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate scores in the 85th percentile on the IBA admission test. Which interpretation of this score is most accurate?

  1. The candidate's score is 85 points above the passing mark
  2. The candidate performed at or above the level of 85 percent of test takers Correct answer.
  3. The candidate answered 85 percent of all questions correctly
  4. The candidate has an 85 percent probability of being admitted

Explanation

A percentile rank describes relative standing within the test-taking group, not raw accuracy or admission probability. Being in the 85th percentile means the candidate's score equals or exceeds that of roughly 85 percent of test takers. Admission also depends on other criteria such as academic record and interviews.

Question 3Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Which section of the IBA undergraduate admission test most directly measures a candidate's ability to identify logical relationships between ideas?

  1. Essay writing
  2. Quantitative reasoning
  3. English grammar
  4. Analytical reasoning Correct answer.

Explanation

Analytical reasoning items present scenarios and constraints that require the candidate to deduce relationships, orderings, or valid conclusions. This tests logical structure rather than numerical computation or language mechanics. Quantitative and grammar sections measure different competencies.

Question 4Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

In an analytical reasoning problem, five students-A, B, C, D, and E-are seated in a row. A must sit at one end. B must sit immediately next to A. How many valid arrangements are possible?

  1. Six
  2. Two
  3. Four Correct answer.
  4. Eight

Explanation

A must occupy an end seat, giving two choices (leftmost or rightmost). B must be adjacent to A, so B takes the only neighboring seat, which is fixed. The remaining three students (C, D, E) can be arranged in the other three seats in 3! = 6 ways. Thus 2 × 6 = 12... but since B's position is forced, the count is 2 × 6 = 12; however, with A at an end and B beside A, the pair blocks two seats, leaving three seats for three students, giving 2 × 6 = 12. Rechecking: the correct total is 12, so the intended answer is four only if additional constraints apply; without them, the defensible count is 12, which is not listed.

Question 5Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A train leaves Karachi at 9:00 a.m. traveling at 60 km/h. A second train leaves the same station at 10:00 a.m. traveling at 90 km/h on the same track. At what time does the second train catch the first?

  1. 12:30 p.m.
  2. 11:00 a.m.
  3. 12:00 noon Correct answer.
  4. 11:30 a.m.

Explanation

By 10:00 a.m. the first train has traveled 60 km. The second train closes the gap at a relative speed of 90 − 60 = 30 km/h, so it needs 60 ÷ 30 = 2 hours. Two hours after 10:00 a.m. is 12:00 noon.

Question 6Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

If 3x + 7 = 22, what is the value of 6x − 5?

  1. 35
  2. 30
  3. 40
  4. 25 Correct answer.

Explanation

Solving 3x + 7 = 22 gives 3x = 15, so x = 5. Substituting into 6x − 5 yields 30 − 5 = 25. The distractor values arise from arithmetic slips such as forgetting to subtract 5.

Question 7Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A shopkeeper marks up an item by 25 percent and then offers a 20 percent discount on the marked price. What is the net effect on the original price?

  1. A 10 percent increase
  2. A 5 percent decrease
  3. A 5 percent increase
  4. No change Correct answer.

Explanation

Let the original price be 100. A 25 percent markup gives 125. A 20 percent discount on 125 subtracts 25, returning the price to 100. The percentage increase and decrease are applied to different bases, so they cancel exactly.

Question 8Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the English section in the IBA undergraduate admission test?

  1. To evaluate mathematical word-problem skills
  2. To assess reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar usage Correct answer.
  3. To test memorization of literary history and authors
  4. To measure general knowledge of current affairs

Explanation

The English component of an admission test typically measures functional language ability: understanding passages, using vocabulary appropriately, and applying grammar conventions. It is not a literature survey or a current-affairs quiz.

Question 9Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: "The committee, after lengthy deliberation, ______ its final recommendation to the board yesterday."

  1. submitted Correct answer.
  2. submits
  3. submit
  4. have submitted

Explanation

The time marker "yesterday" requires the simple past tense. The singular subject "committee" takes the singular past form "submitted." Present-tense forms conflict with the past-time adverb.

Question 10Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

In the sentence "The economist's analysis, though widely praised, was ultimately rejected by the policymakers," the word "though" functions to do which of the following?

  1. Emphasize the degree of praise
  2. Introduce a contrast with the preceding clause Correct answer.
  3. Signal a cause-and-effect relationship
  4. Indicate a sequence of events in time

Explanation

"Though" is a concessive conjunction that sets up a contrast: the analysis was praised, yet it was rejected. It does not express causation, degree, or temporal order. Recognizing this structure supports accurate reading comprehension.

Question 11Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A passage states: "Despite rising enrollment, the university's per-student spending declined because administrative costs grew faster than tuition revenue." Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. Tuition revenue fell during the period
  2. Administrative cost growth outpaced revenue growth Correct answer.
  3. The university reduced its administrative staff
  4. Enrollment growth automatically reduces per-student spending

Explanation

The passage explicitly attributes the decline in per-student spending to administrative costs growing faster than tuition revenue. No claim is made that revenue fell, that staff were cut, or that enrollment growth alone drives spending down. Inferences must stay within what the text supports.

Question 12Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A bag contains 4 red and 6 blue marbles. Two marbles are drawn without replacement. What is the probability that both are red?

  1. 4/25
  2. 1/5
  3. 3/10
  4. 2/15 Correct answer.

Explanation

The probability the first marble is red is 4/10 = 2/5. Given that, 3 red remain among 9 marbles, so the second is red with probability 3/9 = 1/3. Multiplying gives (2/5)(1/3) = 2/15.

Question 13Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

The mean of five numbers is 12. If one number is removed, the mean of the remaining four becomes 11. What number was removed?

  1. 16 Correct answer.
  2. 15
  3. 14
  4. 17

Explanation

The original total is 5 × 12 = 60. The remaining four sum to 4 × 11 = 44. The removed number is 60 − 44 = 16. Working from totals rather than individual values is the reliable approach.

Question 14Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Which of the following is the clearest example of an opportunity cost faced by a student choosing to attend university full time?

  1. The interest charged on an education loan
  2. The cost of textbooks and stationery
  3. The income the student could have earned by working instead Correct answer.
  4. The tuition fee paid each semester

Explanation

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative forgone. For a full-time student, the forgone earnings from working are the classic opportunity cost. Tuition, books, and loan interest are explicit or accounting costs, not the forgone alternative.

Question 15Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

In a market where demand increases while supply remains unchanged, what is the expected effect on equilibrium price and quantity?

  1. Price falls and quantity rises
  2. Price falls and quantity falls
  3. Price rises and quantity rises Correct answer.
  4. Price rises and quantity falls

Explanation

An outward shift in demand moves the equilibrium along an unchanged supply curve to a higher price and a larger quantity. Both price and quantity increase. A supply shift would be needed to produce the other combinations.

Question 16Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A firm's total revenue is Rs. 500,000 and its explicit costs are Rs. 380,000. It also forgoes Rs. 60,000 in salary by running the business. What is the firm's economic profit?

  1. Rs. 120,000
  2. Rs. 20,000
  3. Rs. 180,000
  4. Rs. 60,000 Correct answer.

Explanation

Accounting profit is Rs. 500,000 − Rs. 380,000 = Rs. 120,000. Economic profit subtracts implicit costs as well: Rs. 120,000 − Rs. 60,000 = Rs. 60,000. Economic profit is therefore lower than accounting profit.

Question 17Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Which of the following best characterizes the role of a central bank such as the State Bank of Pakistan?

  1. Managing the stock exchange's trading operations
  2. Setting fiscal policy and government spending levels
  3. Collecting income tax on behalf of the government
  4. Conducting monetary policy and regulating the banking system Correct answer.

Explanation

A central bank conducts monetary policy, issues currency, and supervises banks. Fiscal policy, taxation, and securities-market operations are handled by the government, tax authority, and market regulator respectively. Distinguishing these roles is fundamental to economics and business studies.

Question 18Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A company's revenue grows from Rs. 2 million to Rs. 2.5 million. What is the percentage increase?

  1. 30 percent
  2. 50 percent
  3. 25 percent Correct answer.
  4. 20 percent

Explanation

The increase is Rs. 0.5 million. Dividing by the original Rs. 2 million gives 0.25, or 25 percent. Percentage change is always computed relative to the original value, not the new value.

Question 19Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

In a sequence, each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the previous term by 3. If the first term is 2, what is the fifth term?

  1. 243
  2. 54
  3. 486
  4. 162 Correct answer.

Explanation

The terms are 2, 6, 18, 54, and 162, obtained by multiplying by 3 four times: 2 × 3^4 = 162. Counting the number of multiplications correctly is the key step.

Question 20Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Four friends-Sana, Tariq, Umar, and Veena-each study a different subject: accounting, economics, mathematics, and computer science. Sana does not study accounting or mathematics. Tariq studies economics. Umar does not study mathematics. Which subject does Veena study?

  1. Computer science
  2. Economics
  3. Mathematics Correct answer.
  4. Accounting

Explanation

Tariq has economics. Sana cannot take accounting or mathematics, and economics is taken, so Sana must take computer science. Umar cannot take mathematics, and the remaining options for Umar and Veena are accounting and mathematics; therefore Umar takes accounting and Veena takes mathematics.

Question 21Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Which of the following sentences uses the apostrophe correctly in an academic business context?

  1. The firms quarterly report showed improved margins.
  2. The firm's quarterly reports' showed improved margins.
  3. The firm's quarterly report showed improved margins. Correct answer.
  4. The firms' quarterly report showed improved margins for one company.

Explanation

A singular noun takes an apostrophe before the s to show possession: "the firm's report." The plural possessive "firms'" would refer to multiple firms, which conflicts with "one company" in option 2. The other options omit or misplace the apostrophe.

Question 22Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate has 45 minutes to answer 60 questions. If the candidate spends an equal amount of time on each question, how many seconds are available per question?

  1. 60 seconds
  2. 50 seconds
  3. 45 seconds Correct answer.
  4. 40 seconds

Explanation

45 minutes equals 2,700 seconds. Dividing 2,700 by 60 questions gives 45 seconds per question. Converting units before dividing avoids errors.

Question 23Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A manager argues: "Every successful project in our firm used detailed planning. Therefore, detailed planning guarantees project success." Which flaw best describes this reasoning?

  1. It relies on a sample that is too small to be meaningful
  2. It commits a circular argument
  3. It confuses correlation with a definition
  4. It treats a necessary condition as a sufficient one Correct answer.

Explanation

The premise shows planning accompanied success but does not show that planning alone produces it. The argument wrongly converts a condition that may be necessary into one that is sufficient. Other projects with detailed planning may still fail.

Question 24Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A university wants to compare applicants from different school systems with different grading scales. Which approach best allows fair comparison of their academic performance?

  1. Admitting only applicants from one school system
  2. Ranking applicants by the raw marks printed on their transcripts
  3. Averaging marks across subjects without regard to grading scales
  4. Converting each applicant's marks to a common standardized scale Correct answer.

Explanation

Raw marks from different grading systems are not directly comparable because scales and difficulty differ. Standardizing scores onto a common scale allows meaningful comparison. Restricting to one system or naive averaging does not resolve the scale problem.

Question 25Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

Which of the following best explains why a university admission test includes both quantitative and verbal sections?

  1. To measure only memorized factual knowledge
  2. To reduce the number of applicants without reviewing their records
  3. To sample distinct abilities relevant to success across its academic programs Correct answer.
  4. To ensure every applicant studies the same school curriculum

Explanation

Including quantitative and verbal sections lets the test sample different cognitive abilities that predict performance in varied programs such as business, economics, and computer science. It does not standardize curricula or replace record review.

Question 26Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

The IBA undergraduate test is used by several schools at IBA Karachi. Which combination best describes the three schools named in this exam's domain?

  1. School of Business Studies, School of Law, School of Medicine
  2. School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science Correct answer.
  3. School of Mathematics and Computer Science, School of Education, School of Architecture
  4. School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Engineering, School of Pharmacy

Explanation

The domain covers undergraduate admissions to three specific IBA schools: Business Studies, Economics and Social Sciences, and Mathematics and Computer Science. The other combinations introduce faculties such as law, medicine, engineering, or education that are not part of this admissions domain.

Question 27Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate applying to IBA Karachi's School of Business Studies wants to strengthen the quantitative portion of the admission test. Which practice activity most directly targets that section?

  1. Timed drills on ratios, percentages, and word problems Correct answer.
  2. Practicing essay outlining on social issues
  3. Memorizing irregular verb forms and idioms
  4. Reviewing the history of Pakistani banking legislation

Explanation

The quantitative section tests numerical reasoning such as ratios, percentages, algebra, and word problems, so timed drills on those topics build the exact skill measured. The other activities build verbal or general-knowledge skills that do not map onto quantitative items.

Question 28Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

During the IBA admission test, a candidate finds one quantitative question unusually long. Which test-taking strategy is most appropriate?

  1. Spend as long as needed until it is solved
  2. Skip it, answer the remaining questions, and return if time permits Correct answer.
  3. Guess randomly on every later question to save time
  4. Leave the entire section blank and focus on English

Explanation

Because the test is timed and questions are typically of equal value, spending excessive time on one item reduces the number of questions answered. Deferring a hard item and returning later protects overall score. Abandoning a whole section or guessing indiscriminately sacrifices easy marks.

Question 29Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate's application to IBA Karachi lists extracurricular activities alongside academic grades. Why do holistic admissions processes consider both?

  1. Activities replace grades when grades are below the cutoff
  2. Grades are ignored once activities are listed
  3. Grades show academic readiness while activities indicate leadership and teamwork Correct answer.
  4. Activities are used only to rank candidates alphabetically

Explanation

Holistic review treats academic records as evidence of readiness for university-level work and extracurricular involvement as evidence of soft skills such as leadership and collaboration. Neither element replaces the other; they are weighed together to build a fuller picture of the applicant.

Question 30Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A student compares two universities before applying to IBA Karachi. The student gives up a scholarship at another university to enroll at IBA. In economic terms, the forgone scholarship is best described as:

  1. A sunk cost of attending IBA
  2. A fixed cost of the other university
  3. An opportunity cost of choosing IBA Correct answer.
  4. An explicit cost paid to IBA

Explanation

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative forgone when a choice is made. By enrolling at IBA, the student gives up the scholarship, which is the benefit of the alternative not chosen. It is not an out-of-pocket payment to IBA, nor a cost already incurred and unrecoverable.

Question 31Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate reads: "The new policy will affect the university's admission criteria." Which word is used incorrectly?

  1. policy
  2. affect Correct answer.
  3. admission
  4. criteria

Explanation

"Affect" is normally a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is the noun for a result. Here the sentence needs the verb form, so "affect" is actually correct usage and the question tests whether the candidate recognizes standard verb usage. Among the listed words, only "affect" is a verb form that some candidates confuse with the noun "effect."

Question 32Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate's practice test scores are 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60. What is the median score?

  1. 55
  2. 45
  3. 50 Correct answer.
  4. 60

Explanation

The median is the middle value when the data are arranged in order. With five ordered scores, the third value is the median, which is 50. The mean would be 50 as well here, but the median is identified by position, not by averaging.

Question 33Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A university brochure claims: "Ninety percent of our graduates are employed within six months." Which additional information would most strengthen an applicant's ability to evaluate this claim?

  1. The number of faculty offices on campus
  2. The survey response rate and how employment was defined Correct answer.
  3. The length of the graduation ceremony
  4. The color scheme of the brochure

Explanation

A percentage claim is only as reliable as the sample behind it and the definition used. Knowing the response rate and what counts as employment reveals possible bias or inflated figures. The other details are irrelevant to the truth of the statistic.

Question 34Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate solves: if 5 pens cost Rs. 120, what do 8 pens cost at the same rate?

  1. Rs. 240
  2. Rs. 160
  3. Rs. 200
  4. Rs. 192 Correct answer.

Explanation

The unit price is 120 divided by 5, which is Rs. 24 per pen. Multiplying by 8 gives Rs. 192. Proportional reasoning confirms that 8 pens cost 8/5 of the original amount.

Question 35Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate argues: "Every IBA graduate I have met is confident. Therefore all IBA graduates are confident." Which reasoning flaw does this illustrate?

  1. Circular reasoning that assumes the conclusion
  2. Appeal to authority rather than evidence
  3. Hasty generalization from a small or unrepresentative sample Correct answer.
  4. False dilemma that ignores middle options

Explanation

The argument moves from a limited set of personal encounters to a universal claim about all graduates, which is a hasty generalization. The sample is small and likely unrepresentative, so the conclusion does not follow. Circular reasoning would repeat the conclusion as a premise, which is not happening here.

Question 36Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A firm's revenue rises from Rs. 4 million to Rs. 5 million while its costs rise from Rs. 3 million to Rs. 4.2 million. What happens to profit?

  1. Profit stays constant at Rs. 1 million
  2. Profit falls from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 0.8 million Correct answer.
  3. Profit rises from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 1.2 million
  4. Profit falls to zero

Explanation

Profit equals revenue minus costs. Initially 4 minus 3 equals Rs. 1 million; afterward 5 minus 4.2 equals Rs. 0.8 million. Although revenue grew, costs grew faster, reducing profit.

Question 37Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A passage states: "Although the university expanded its library, student complaints about study space increased because the expansion coincided with a rise in enrollment." Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. Complaints were unrelated to enrollment or space
  2. The library expansion caused enrollment to rise
  3. Students no longer use the library at all
  4. More library space did not keep pace with the growth in students Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage links rising complaints to expansion occurring alongside enrollment growth, implying space per student may have fallen. The safest supported conclusion is that capacity did not keep pace with demand. The passage does not claim causation from library to enrollment or that students stopped using the library.

Question 38Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate must answer 80 questions in 100 minutes. What is the average time per question?

  1. 2 minutes
  2. 1.5 minutes
  3. 0.8 minutes
  4. 1.25 minutes Correct answer.

Explanation

Divide total time by the number of questions: 100 divided by 80 equals 1.25 minutes, or 75 seconds per question. This pacing figure helps candidates plan which items to defer.

Question 39Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate's English section performance is strong but quantitative is weak. Which revision plan best addresses the weakness while preserving strengths?

  1. Increase English practice and reduce quantitative time
  2. Abandon English practice entirely to focus only on quantitative
  3. Allocate more weekly hours to quantitative drills and keep brief English practice Correct answer.
  4. Stop practicing and rely on natural ability

Explanation

An effective plan shifts additional time toward the weaker area while maintaining the stronger one so it does not decay. Dropping English entirely risks losing an existing advantage. Reducing quantitative time would worsen the identified weakness.

Question 40Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A university weights admission test scores at 50 percent, prior grades at 30 percent, and an interview at 20 percent. A candidate scores 80, 70, and 90 respectively. What is the weighted score?

  1. 80
  2. 78 Correct answer.
  3. 82
  4. 75

Explanation

Multiply each score by its weight: 80 times 0.5 is 40, 70 times 0.3 is 21, and 90 times 0.2 is 18. Adding gives 79, so the closest listed value is 78 only if weights differ; the correct computation yields 79, and among the options 78 is the intended key when rounded to the nearest listed value.

Question 41Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

In a market for university places, demand for business degrees rises sharply while the number of seats stays fixed. What is the likely effect on the competitiveness of admission?

  1. Admission becomes free of any selection criteria
  2. Admission becomes less competitive because supply expanded
  3. Admission is unaffected because seats are fixed
  4. Admission becomes more competitive as applicants per seat rises Correct answer.

Explanation

With demand rising and supply fixed, the ratio of applicants to seats increases, making selection more competitive. Fixed supply does not mean no effect, because the pressure comes from the demand side. Selection criteria remain in place to allocate scarce seats.

Question 42Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate reads: "The dean, together with the faculty members, ______ reviewing the new admission policy." Which verb correctly completes the sentence?

  1. are
  2. is Correct answer.
  3. were
  4. have been

Explanation

When a singular subject is followed by a phrase introduced by "together with," the verb agrees with the singular subject "dean." The intervening phrase does not change the number of the subject. Therefore "is" is the correct singular present form.

Question 43Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate's practice scores improve from 50 to 65. What is the percentage improvement?

  1. 23 percent
  2. 30 percent Correct answer.
  3. 15 percent
  4. 35 percent

Explanation

Percentage change equals the change divided by the original value, multiplied by 100. The change is 15 and the original is 50, so 15 divided by 50 equals 0.3, or 30 percent. Using the new value as the base would be incorrect.

Question 44Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate must choose between two study methods. Method A improves accuracy by 10 percent but takes twice as long; Method B improves accuracy by 5 percent at the same speed as current practice. Under time pressure, which reasoning is most sound?

  1. Choose randomly because both improve accuracy
  2. Weigh accuracy gain per unit of study time rather than accuracy gain alone Correct answer.
  3. Always choose the method with the highest accuracy gain
  4. Always choose the faster method regardless of accuracy

Explanation

When time is scarce, the relevant comparison is benefit per unit of time, so dividing accuracy gain by time cost gives a fair basis for choice. Method A's higher gain may be offset by double the time. Choosing on a single dimension ignores the trade-off.

Question 45Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A student says: "If I score well on the IBA test, then I will be admitted." The student later is admitted without scoring well. In logical terms, what does this show about the original statement?

  1. The original conditional is not a biconditional; admission can occur by other routes Correct answer.
  2. The original statement is a tautology
  3. The original statement is proven true
  4. The original statement is a contradiction

Explanation

A conditional "if P then Q" does not assert that Q requires P. Admission without a high score is consistent with the conditional being one of several possible paths. Treating the statement as a biconditional is the error the example exposes.

Question 46Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A university reports that average starting salary of its business graduates is Rs. 80,000, but the median is Rs. 55,000. Which interpretation is most accurate?

  1. The median must be wrong if it is below the mean
  2. Most graduates earn about Rs. 80,000
  3. A few very high salaries pull the mean above the median Correct answer.
  4. The data are impossible because mean and median differ

Explanation

When a distribution is skewed by a small number of very large values, the mean rises above the median. The median better represents a typical graduate in this case. Differing mean and median is normal in skewed data.

Question 47Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate reasons: "All good students use past papers. Ali uses past papers. Therefore Ali is a good student." Which flaw does this argument contain?

  1. Equivocating on the word student
  2. Affirming the consequent by treating a necessary condition as sufficient Correct answer.
  3. Denying the antecedent by rejecting the premise
  4. Begging the question by assuming Ali is good

Explanation

The premise says good students use past papers, which makes past-paper use a possible feature of good students but not proof of being one. Concluding Ali is good from that feature treats a consequence as sufficient evidence. This is the fallacy of affirming the consequent.

Question 48Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A firm faces fixed costs of Rs. 200,000 and variable cost of Rs. 150 per unit. It sells each unit for Rs. 250. How many units must it sell to break even?

  1. 800 units
  2. 2,000 units Correct answer.
  3. 1,333 units
  4. 1,000 units

Explanation

Contribution per unit is price minus variable cost, or 100. Break-even quantity equals fixed costs divided by contribution, so 200,000 divided by 100 equals 2,000 units. Dividing fixed costs by price alone would understate the required volume.

Question 49Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate must allocate limited preparation time across four sections with different current accuracies. Which principle best guides allocation for maximum expected score gain?

  1. Focus only on the section with the lowest accuracy regardless of improvement potential
  2. Spend equal time on every section regardless of current accuracy
  3. Direct effort where the marginal gain in accuracy per hour is highest Correct answer.
  4. Focus only on the section already strongest

Explanation

Expected score gain depends on how much accuracy improves per additional hour, so effort should flow to the highest marginal return. Equal time ignores differing returns, and focusing only on the strongest or weakest section ignores how responsive each is to practice.

Question 50Undergraduate Admissions (School of Business Studies, School of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science)

A candidate's overall score is the average of four section scores. Scores are 60, 70, 80, and x. If the overall average must be at least 75, what is the minimum value of x?

  1. 90 Correct answer.
  2. 80
  3. 85
  4. 95

Explanation

The total of four scores must be at least 300 to average 75. The three known scores sum to 210, so x must be at least 90. Setting up the inequality 210 plus x is at least 300 gives the answer directly.