The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) is the single exam that decides entry to every MBBS and BDS programme in Pakistan. One paper, 180 questions, three hours — and your score decides which college you can enter. This guide covers the current paper pattern, the syllabus, the passing marks, and a preparation plan for the 2027 cycle.
Paper pattern (current official format)
The current PMDC format — the one used for MDCAT 2026 and still in force — is a paper-based test of 180 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, with no negative marking. Each correct answer earns 1 mark. Attempt every question: a blank answer and a wrong answer both score zero, so guessing costs nothing.
| Subject | MCQs | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 81 | 45% |
| Chemistry | 45 | 25% |
| Physics | 36 | 20% |
| English | 9 | 5% |
| Logical Reasoning | 9 | 5% |
| Total | 180 | 100% |
Do not be confused by older guides that quote 200 questions — that was the old format. The current curriculum, confirmed by PMDC for the 2026 cycle, is 180 questions with a difficulty mix of about 15% easy, 70% moderate and 15% difficult.
Passing marks and the aggregate
- Pass mark for MBBS: 55% — that is 99 out of 180.
- Pass mark for BDS: 50% — that is 90 out of 180.
- Merit aggregate: 10% Matric + 40% FSc + 50% MDCAT test. Your FSc marks carry 40% of the weight, so the test alone does not decide your merit position.
- Passing is not the same as getting a seat. In Punjab in 2026, about 31% of candidates scored 150 or above. Public-sector seats are decided far above the pass mark, so aim for 170+ if you want a government college.
What about the 2027 cycle?
PMDC has not yet published a separate MDCAT 2027 syllabus or date. The current official syllabus — the one used for MDCAT 2026, unchanged from 2025 — still applies, and it is safe to prepare from it now. Based on recent years, the exam is likely to be held in August 2027, but that is an expectation, not an announcement. There is also a government announcement that from 2027 the test will be held within six days of the FSc results, and a proposal to reduce the passing marks to 33% — both are to be confirmed by an official PMDC notice before you rely on them. Check pmdc.org.pk for the official 2027 notice when it is published.
NUMS MDCAT is a separate test
The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) runs its own MDCAT for its affiliated colleges, including Army Medical College. The NUMS paper is 150 subject MCQs plus 50 psychological MCQs (Biology 55, Chemistry 40, Physics 40, English 15), with the same 55%/50% pass thresholds and the same 10/40/50 aggregate. In 2026 the NUMS MDCAT was held on 13 September at 16 centres for about 43,000 candidates. If you are applying to NUMS colleges, prepare for both tests — the syllabus overlaps heavily, but the paper structure is different.
An 8-month preparation plan
| Phase | Timing | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Months 1–3 | Read the FSc textbooks cover to cover: Biology first (45% of the paper), then Chemistry, then Physics. Make short notes, not long ones. |
| Practice | Months 4–6 | Chapter-wise MCQs every day. Target 100 MCQs a day. Review every wrong answer the same day — the explanation matters more than the score. |
| Mock tests | Months 7–8 | Full 180-MCQ papers in 3 hours, under exam conditions. Analyse the result: which subject is losing marks, and why. |
| Final revision | Last 2 weeks | Only your own notes and the questions you got wrong before. No new books. Sleep properly the night before the test. |
Mistakes that cost students their merit
- Ignoring Biology. It is 45% of the paper. Students who spend equal time on all five subjects are under-preparing the subject that matters most.
- Memorising without understanding. PMDC designs about 30% of the questions as application-level — they test whether you can use a concept, not whether you can repeat it.
- Leaving questions blank. There is no negative marking. Every unanswered question is a free mark thrown away.
- Neglecting FSc. FSc carries 40% of the aggregate. A student with 95% in FSc and 160 in MDCAT beats a student with 85% in FSc and 170 in MDCAT in many merit lists.
- Starting too late. The students who score 170+ usually start 8–10 months before the test, not 8–10 weeks.
FAQ
When is MDCAT 2027? Not announced yet by PMDC. Based on the pattern of recent years, August 2027 is the likely window. Confirm the date on the PMDC website when the official notice is published.
Is there negative marking in MDCAT? No. The current format has no negative marking, and there has been none since 2020. Attempt all 180 questions.
What is the passing score? 55% (99 out of 180) for MBBS and 50% (90 out of 180) for BDS. Competitive public-sector seats need much higher scores.
Can I repeat MDCAT? Yes. There is no limit on attempts, and many students improve significantly on their second attempt because they know the paper's rhythm.
Do I need an academy? Not necessarily. The FSc textbooks plus past papers and regular mock tests are enough for most students. An academy helps mainly with discipline and timed practice — if you can provide those yourself, self-study works.
Figures checked 2026-11-05: PMDC format 180 MCQs in 3 hours, Biology 81 / Chemistry 45 / Physics 36 / English 9 / Logical Reasoning 9, no negative marking, pass 55% MBBS / 50% BDS, aggregate 10% Matric / 40% FSc / 50% test, current syllabus unchanged from 2025; NUMS MDCAT 150 + 50 psychological MCQs; 2026 NUMS test 13 September, about 43,000 candidates; KMU 2026 result 37,747 appeared, 66% passed, top score 180/180. The 2027 date, syllabus and any change to the schedule or passing marks have not been announced — confirm them on pmdc.org.pk.
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Sources and verification: PMDC official curriculum and 2026 examination notice; KMU and NUMS 2026 test reports (checked October 2026).