Karachi University Merit Calculator
KU merit = your Intermediate percentage (+20 marks for Hafiz-e-Quran, BS only), after 50% in the entrance test for test based programmes.
How Karachi University calculates merit
KU does not use a weighted aggregate. For every BS 1st Year admission it ranks candidates by the percentage in the pre-requisite examination (Intermediate or equivalent). Entrance test based programmes first require you to qualify KU's test; the published closing percentage is the lowest Intermediate percentage admitted.
Merit percentage
Marks obtained ÷ total marks × 100
- Use your Intermediate (HSC) marks, or IBCC equivalence marks for O and A-Level.
- KU compares percentages to two decimals, as in its closing lists.
- Below 45% (third division) is not eligible for any KU programme.
Hafiz-e-Quran
+20 marks (BS programmes only)
- Needs a Hifz-e-Quran certificate from a recognised institute.
- Not added for B.E. Chemical Engineering, DPT or Pharm-D.
- Not available if you have less than 45% in Intermediate.
Entrance test
Qualify with 50 of 100
- 100 multiple choice questions, no negative marking.
- Your test score decides whether you qualify, not your rank.
- Where seats were left, KU later admitted some programmes on lower test scores (25, 35 or 40), each with its own closing percentage.
How to use the calculator
- Choose entrance test based or open merit.
- Pick your Intermediate group and enter your marks out of the total (1100 for most boards).
- Tick Hafiz-e-Quran if it applies.
- Test based: enter your KU test score, or leave it empty to assume 50 or more. Open merit: pick category K, S or P.
- Each programme shows whether your percentage cleared the official 2027 first list or the 2026 closing.
Worked example: Pre-Engineering, 860 of 1100, Hafiz-e-Quran, test score 62
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate percentage | 860 ÷ 1100 × 100 | 78.18% |
| Hafiz-e-Quran (BS programmes) | (860 + 20) ÷ 1100 × 100 | 80.00% |
| Entrance test | 62 of 100, 50 needed | Qualified |
| BSCS, 2027 first list (test 50+) | 80.00% closing | Cleared (exactly at closing) |
| BSSE and BS AI, 2027 first list | 78.82% and 79.73% closing | Cleared |
| Chemical Engineering (B.E.) | No Hafiz marks: 78.18% vs 63.64% | Cleared |
| Merit percentage for BS programmes | 80.00% | |
Closing percentages from KU's official 2027 first list (19 October 2026).
KU admissions 2027 at a glance
| Test based forms | 21 September to 7 October 2026 (after extension) |
|---|---|
| Entrance test | 11 October 2026 |
| Test based admission list | 20 October 2026; claim forms 20 to 22 October |
| Open merit forms | 12 to 21 October 2026; list on 30 October |
| Self-finance and reserved seats | Forms to 30 and 31 October 2026 |
| Evening programme | Forms 2 to 11 November; BSCS and BSSE test 22 November 2026 |
| Fee and documents | 9 to 19 November 2026 (morning lists) |
Karachi University closing percentage 2027 and 2026
These are KU's official academic closing percentages for candidates with a test score of 50 or more. The 2027 figures are from the first list; later lists can close lower. See the calculator for every programme, DAE route and lower test tier.
| Programme | 2027 first list | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Pharm-D (morning) | 84.27% | 82.45% |
| Pharm-D (evening) | 80.00% | 77.36% |
| Computer Science (BSCS) | 80.00% | 77.91% |
| Computer Science BS (AI) | 79.73% | 77.36% |
| Computer Science (BSSE) | 78.82% | 77.18% |
| Food Science and Technology | 79.09% | 53.09% (Pre-Eng), 84.91% (Pre-Med) |
| Human Nutrition and Dietetics | 77.73% | 79.64% |
| Biotechnology | 75.27% | 73.64% |
| Business School (BBA) | 73.82% | 73.09% |
| Commerce (with Intermediate Commerce) | 66.91% | 61.91% |
| Chemical Engineering (B.E.) | 63.64% | 60.00% |
| Public Administration | 61.91% | 62.09% |
| Doctor of Physical Therapy | 60.91% | 60.27% |
| Mass Communication | 60.18% | 60.73% |
K, S and P categories for KU open merit
Open merit (no test) programmes are ranked separately in three categories:
- K: you passed Matric, Intermediate and graduation from institutions in Karachi recognised by or affiliated with KU.
- S: at least one of these from the rest of Sindh.
- P: at least one from outside Sindh.
K candidates are considered first; S and P fill only the seats that remain, which is why many programmes show no S or P admissions. Students whose parents hold a Karachi domicile or were transferred to Karachi can apply to change category. Test based programmes do not use categories.
KU entry test 2027: pattern and passing marks
The test has 100 multiple choice questions and no negative marking. Pre-Engineering and Pre-Medical candidates take English, General Knowledge, Physics and Chemistry plus Mathematics or Biology (20 questions each). Commerce, DAE and Home Economics candidates take English (20), General Knowledge (20) and a 60 mark paper from their own subjects. You need 50 to qualify.
Self-finance applicants to test based departments must also have taken the 2027 test.
Other KU merit rules to know
- Only qualifying exams from the last five years count; 3% of seats go to older passes.
- Grace or condoned marks are not counted.
- You can list up to five departments, and cannot change them after submitting.
- A-Level and other non-Pakistani certificates need an IBCC equivalence at least three days before the list.
- Open merit and test based admissions use separate forms; two forms in the same category cancel both.
Fees per semester and all 2027 dates are on the University of Karachi profile.
Your percentage decides, the test only qualifies you
KU ranks on your Intermediate percentage; the entrance test is a pass mark, not part of the merit.
1. 50 to qualify
Test based programmes need 50 of 100. Some later lists admitted lower test scores where seats were left.
2. Hafiz marks for BS
Hafiz-e-Quran adds 20 marks for BS programmes, not for B.E., DPT or Pharm-D.
3. Category K first
Open merit fills K category seats first, then S and P.
4. Closing moves each list
The 2027 first list is the highest point; later lists usually close lower.
University of Karachi
Administration Block, University of Karachi. Photo: University of Karachi.
Karachi University merit: common questions
How is Karachi University merit calculated?
KU ranks BS 1st Year candidates by their Intermediate percentage. Test based programmes first need 50 of 100 in KU's entrance test. Hafiz-e-Quran candidates get 20 extra marks for BS programmes.
What is the KU BSCS closing percentage 2027?
The first 2027 list (19 October 2026) closed at 80.00% for BSCS, 78.82% for BSSE and 79.73% for BS AI, for a test score of 50 or more. In 2026, BSCS closed at 77.91%.
Does the KU entry test score count in merit?
No. The test is a qualifying test with a pass mark of 50. Once you qualify, KU admits on your Intermediate percentage.
How many marks does Hafiz-e-Quran add at KU?
20 marks, for BS programmes only, with a certificate from a recognised institute and at least 45% in Intermediate.
What is the minimum percentage for Karachi University?
45% in Intermediate. Many programmes need more, for example 55% for BSCS, 60% for Pharm-D and DPT, and 50% for BBA.
What are the KU closing percentages for open merit programmes?
KU publishes them by category K, S and P. The 2027 open merit list comes out on 30 October 2026; until then the calculator uses the official 2026 list.
Sources and calculation rules
Checked 20 October 2026 on the official pages: Closing Percentages, Test Based and Pharm-D Admissions 2027 (19 Oct 2026), Last Year Closing and This Year Fee Structure (Admissions 2027 guidance), Morning Programme Prospectus 2027, Test Paper Structure / Information 2027, Admissions Schedule 2027.
Group rules follow Appendix B of KU's 2027 prospectus. StudentPath is an independent guide; confirm your eligibility in the prospectus before applying.
StudentPath is an independent guide. Confirm current admission requirements with the university.
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Each university uses its own formula, so results are not interchangeable.
