What is the MDCAT?
The Medical & Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) is the single, country-wide entry test for admission to MBBS and BDS programmes in every public and private medical/dental college in Pakistan. It is regulated by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC, formerly PMC) and conducted provincially by UHS Punjab, KMU KP, DUHS Sindh, BMC Balochistan and PMC AJK.
MDCAT 2026 follows the standardised PMDC syllabus and a fixed, weighted MCQ paper. Securing a seat in a top public college (KEMU, AMC, Nishtar, DUHS, KMC) typically requires an aggregate north of 91%, which means high MDCAT performance is not optional — it is the single largest weight in your final aggregate.
MDCAT 2026 syllabus & paper pattern
The PMDC MDCAT is a 200-MCQ paper completed in 3 hours 30 minutes. There is no negative marking. The paper is split as follows:
- Biology — 68 MCQs (highest weight; FSc Part 1 + Part 2)
- Chemistry — 54 MCQs (Physical, Inorganic and Organic)
- Physics — 54 MCQs (mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, modern physics)
- English — 18 MCQs (grammar, comprehension, vocabulary)
- Logical Reasoning — 6 MCQs
How is the MDCAT aggregate calculated?
Most public sector medical universities use the standard PMDC aggregate formula. For Punjab MBBS admissions through UHS, the formula is:
- Matric (SSC): 10% of obtained marks
- FSc / HSSC Pre-Medical: 40% of obtained marks
- MDCAT score: 50% of obtained marks
| King Edward Medical University, Lahore | 92.7% – 94.4% |
|---|---|
| Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore | 91.5% – 93.0% |
| Nishtar Medical University, Multan | 90.5% – 92.4% |
| Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi | 89.0% – 91.6% |
| Khyber Medical College, Peshawar | 89.6% – 91.9% |
Free MDCAT preparation resources on Raahban
- Topic-wise MCQ banks for Biology, Chemistry and Physics (free preview, full library on signup)
- Curated YouTube lectures from KIPS, Nearpeer, Sir Asad Hussain, Future Doctor & Khan Academy
- Free MDCAT aggregate calculator with reach / target / safe band predictions
- A 16-week Pre-Medical study planner aligned to the PMDC syllabus weightings
- Past paper review packs for the last 5 MDCAT cycles
Recommended 90-day MDCAT preparation plan
- Weeks 1–4: Lock down Biology Part 1 (cells, biological molecules, enzymes, genetics) and Chemistry Part 1 (atomic structure, bonding, gas laws). Mock test every Sunday.
- Weeks 5–8: Move into Biology Part 2 (physiology, evolution) and Physics mechanics + electromagnetism. Aim for 60+ correct in a 100-MCQ Biology mock.
- Weeks 9–11: Organic chemistry, modern physics, English MCQs and full-length 200-MCQ mocks twice a week.
- Week 12: Past paper marathon — minimum five PMDC past papers under exam conditions, error journal review.
- Last 7 days: No new topics. High-yield revision sheets, sleep, hydration and one final timed mock.