MDCAT 2026 is scheduled for 20 September 2026. PMDC rescheduled it from the original 16 August date and reopened registration from 17–21 August for remaining candidates. Confirm your roll-number slip on the official PMDC portal (mdcat.pmdc.pk).

What are the MDCAT 2026 passing marks?

55% (99 out of 180 MCQs) for MBBS and 50% (90/180) for BDS, per PMDC. Passing only makes you eligible to apply — government-college admission is decided by your weighted aggregate, which closed around 93.5%–94.9% at Punjab public colleges in 2025-26.

Is MDCAT preparation possible at home without joining an academy?

Yes — many top scorers self-prepare from FSc textbooks, the PMDC sample paper and free online MCQ platforms. The two non-negotiables are a fixed daily timetable and at least 5 timed full-length mock tests in the last month.

What MDCAT score is considered safe for KEMU or AMC?

KEMU's open-merit closing aggregate reached ≈94.9% in 2025-26. With ~1050+/1100 Matric and FSc, you realistically need an MDCAT score around 168+/180 to be in the KEMU band. Run your exact numbers in the free aggregate calculator.

Does MDCAT have negative marking in 2026?

No. Per PMDC, there is no negative marking on MDCAT — attempt every MCQ rather than leaving any blank.

Is MDCAT mandatory for private medical colleges?

Yes. Per PMDC regulations, no MBBS/BDS admission is valid in any HEC-recognised private college without a passing MDCAT score (currently 55% for MBBS, 50% for BDS).

Where can I find free MDCAT past papers?

Past papers are summarised inside the dashboard's Past Papers section. The official PMDC sample paper is also linked under References on this page.

MDCAT Preparation Pakistan 2026 — Free Practice Tests & Past Papers

MDCAT 2026 test date & key schedule

PMDC has rescheduled MDCAT 2026 to Sunday, 20 September 2026 (it was originally announced for 16 August and postponed on government directions). The test is held simultaneously across Pakistan; per PMDC's earlier notice the paper starts at 10:00 a.m. and candidates report to centres in the early morning window printed on the admit card.

A supplementary online registration window ran 17–21 August 2026 on the PMDC portal (mdcat.pmdc.pk) for candidates who had not completed registration. Over 136,000 candidates are registered for this cycle. Always confirm your roll-number slip and centre details from the PMDC portal — not from social-media forwards.

MDCAT 2026 at a glance (per PMDC notices)
Test date	20 September 2026 (rescheduled from 16 August)
Format	Paper-based, 180 MCQs, English
Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)
Negative marking	None
Passing marks	MBBS 55% (99/180) · BDS 50% (90/180)
Conducting body (Punjab)	University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore

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) now requires an aggregate above roughly 93%, 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 2026 is a 180-MCQ paper completed in 3 hours, with no negative marking (the 200-MCQ format was retired after the 2024 PMDC reform). The official subject split is:

Biology — 81 MCQs (45%; highest weight; FSc Part 1 + Part 2)
Chemistry — 45 MCQs (25%; Physical, Inorganic and Organic)
Physics — 36 MCQs (20%; mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, modern physics)
English — 9 MCQs (5%; grammar, comprehension, vocabulary)
Logical Reasoning — 9 MCQs (5%)

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

Recent open-merit closing aggregates, MBBS (2025-26 UHS final list + prior cycles)
King Edward Medical University, Lahore	≈94.9% (2025-26, highest in Punjab)
Punjab public colleges (full band)	≈93.5% – 94.9% (2025-26 final list)
Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore	typically 2nd–3rd highest in Punjab
Nishtar Medical University, Multan	upper-mid Punjab band
Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi	Sindh pool — historically ≈89–92%
Khyber Medical College, Peshawar	KP pool — historically ≈89.5–92%

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 180-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.

MDCAT preparation in Pakistan — 2026 syllabus, past papers & free mock tests