Admissions guide · Updated 2026
The IE University Admissions Test
The admissions test isn't a subject exam — it's a reasoning test. You can't cram it, but you can absolutely prepare for it. Volume of practice under timed conditions is what moves the score.
Sections
- Verbal reasoning — reading comprehension, inference, argument analysis.
- Numerical reasoning — data interpretation, ratios, quick arithmetic.
- Critical thinking — logical structure, assumptions, evaluating claims.
Format & timing
Around 90 minutes total, delivered online.
One attempt. No retakes.
Timing pressure is real — practising untimed will not prepare you for the actual sitting.
How to prepare
- Do a short timed set every day rather than long, occasional sessions.
- After each set, review the questions you got wrong and the ones you got right slowly — accuracy is only useful if it's fast enough.
- Simulate at least one full-length practice under exam conditions before the real thing.
- Sleep. The test rewards focus, not effort.
Inside the Navigator
The IE Application Navigator includes a full practice module for the admissions test with timed sets, explanations for every answer, and control over feedback timing (per question or at the end).
FAQ
What is the IE University admissions test?
It's an online assessment used as part of the undergraduate application. It measures verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and critical thinking — not memorised subject knowledge.
Can I retake the IE admissions test?
No. The test is one attempt. Prepare thoroughly before you sit it.
How long is the IE admissions test?
Around 90 minutes total across the sections. Timing pressure is a meaningful factor — practising under real conditions matters.
How is the IE admissions test scored?
Admissions uses it as one signal alongside your academics, essay, KIRA, and interview. A strong test result can help borderline profiles; a weak one is rarely decisive on its own.
How do I prepare for the IE admissions test?
Do timed practice on verbal, numerical, and critical-reasoning questions. Volume matters — the more high-quality questions you work through, the more your accuracy under time pressure improves.