ECAT: pattern, marking, subjects and merit
ECAT is the entrance test UET Lahore runs for admission to engineering, computing and architecture programmes at public-sector institutions in Punjab. These facts are from ECAT 2026, the latest edition; UET had not announced ECAT 2027 when this page was checked.
Checked against the official sources below on 21 October 2026.
At a glance
| Run by | University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore[1] |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 MCQs: 10 English and 30 from each of your three other subjects[1][2] |
| Time | 100 minutes[1] |
| Marking | 4 marks for each correct answer, 400 in total[1][2] |
| Negative marking | None: a wrong or blank answer scores 0[1] |
| Pass mark | No minimum passing threshold for any programme[1][2] |
| Format | Computer-based[3] |
| Re-checking | Not offered: the test is marked automatically[1] |
| Weight in UET merit | ECAT 33%, Intermediate Part-I (first year) 50%, Matric 17%, for Intermediate candidates[4] |
| Attempts in 2026 | Two phases; the better of your two scores counted for Fall 2026 merit[5] |
| 2026 test dates | Phase I: 30 March to 2 April 2026. Phase II: 17 to 21 June 2026[3][6] |
| Fee | Rs 3,000[7] |
Syllabus
UET does not publish a chapter-wise ECAT syllabus: the test covers the whole Intermediate, A Level or DAE syllabus of each subject you take. You choose the subject combination that matches your Intermediate subjects.
Sections[2]
- English, 10 questions: reading comprehension (MCQs on a given passage)
- Physics, 30 questions
- Mathematics, 30 questions
- Chemistry, Computer Science or Statistics, 30 questions
- Biology, 30 questions (instead of Mathematics for pre-medical candidates)
The five subject combinations (each with English)[1]
- Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
- Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science
- Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science
- Biology, Physics, Chemistry
- Mathematics, Statistics, Physics
Good to know
- Anyone can sit ECAT, but sitting it does not by itself make you eligible for admission. Engineering, architecture and computer engineering need at least 60% in Intermediate or equivalent, and your merit aggregate must be at least 50%.[1][2][4]
- DAE candidates can only choose Physics, Mathematics and English with Chemistry or with Computer Science.[1]
- For O/A Level and DAE candidates the merit formula is ECAT 33% and their qualification marks 67%.[4]
- Open merit seats are for candidates with a Punjab (including ICT) domicile, unless a programme says otherwise.[2]
- Calculators, books, notes, mobile phones and bags are not allowed in the test; bring a ballpoint pen, your admit card and an original photo ID. Rough paper is provided.[7]
Practise for ECAT
Chapter-wise MCQs for Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and more, marked instantly with an explanation.
Practise ECAT questionsSources
- UET: About ECAT
- UET Admissions: FAQs
- UET news: Combined Entrance Test 2026 announced (27 March 2026)
- UET: Undergraduate prospectus Fall 2026 (PDF)
- UET: ECAT 2026 (Second) advertisement (image)
- UET news: ECAT 2026 Phase II held across Punjab (23 June 2026)
- UET: ECAT portal
Waraq is an independent study platform, not affiliated with UET Lahore. Exam rules change from year to year: always confirm with the official source before you register or apply.