How MDCAT merit lists work in 2026
After the MDCAT result, each province runs a centralised MBBS/BDS admission portal and publishes merit lists in rounds. You submit a single preference form ranking colleges; the authority then places you on the highest-preference college your aggregate qualifies for, releasing further (upgradation) lists as seats move.
The MDCAT is national under PMDC, but admissions are provincial: Punjab through UHS, Sindh through DUHS, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through KMU, and Balochistan through BUMHS. Apply in the province where you hold domicile/eligibility.
Expected merit list timeline (province-wise)
- MDCAT result — expected mid/late October 2026 (pmdc.pk + province)
- Centralised admission portal & preference forms — open within days of the result
- First merit list — typically early–mid November 2026
- Upgradation / second & third lists — through November–December 2026
- Exact dates are announced separately by UHS, DUHS, KMU and BUMHS
How your merit aggregate is calculated
Most public MBBS admissions use the standard PMDC/UHS weighting. Calculate it yourself before the lists drop so you can rank colleges realistically.
- Matric (SSC): 10% of obtained marks
- FSc / HSSC Pre-Medical: 40% of obtained marks
- MDCAT score: 50% of obtained marks
Last-year closing merits (historical, for expectation)
Use these historical open-merit closing ranges to gauge where your aggregate stands. Actual 2026 closings depend on this year's paper difficulty and applicant pool.
| 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% |
| Khyber Medical College, Peshawar | 89.6% – 91.9% |
| Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi | 89.0% – 91.6% |