Overview
The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) is the national entry test for medical and dental colleges in Pakistan, run by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). It is a standardised, paper-based multiple-choice exam based on one uniform curriculum. The curriculum is meant to cover what the premedical years teach and to fill gaps between the different board syllabi, favouring no group of students.
Exam pattern
The PMDC uniform curriculum for MDCAT-2025 sets 180 multiple-choice questions and a duration of 3 hours. Wrong answers carry no negative marking.
| Subject | Weight | MCQs |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 45% | 81 |
| Chemistry | 25% | 45 |
| Physics | 20% | 36 |
| English | 5% | 9 |
| Logical Reasoning | 5% | 9 |
| Total | 100% | 180 |
By difficulty, the curriculum sets 15% of questions as easy, 70% as moderate and 15% as difficult. The test is meant to check problem solving, critical thinking and knowledge of the natural, behavioural and social science concepts needed to study medicine.
Syllabus
The curriculum document lists units and topics with learning outcomes for each subject, starting with Biology (for example, acellular life such as viruses). Use the PMDC curriculum PDF as the working syllabus rather than a third-party summary.
Marking and results
PMDC sets minimum pass marks of 55% for admission to a medical college and 50% for a dental college.
Important dates
For 2026, the test was first set for 16 August 2026. On the directions of the Prime Minister, PMDC rescheduled it to 20 September 2026 and said other arrangements stay unchanged unless notified. A PMDC notice dated 8 July 2026 extended online registration to 13 July 2026 with the regular fee and to 18 July 2026 with the late fee.
How to apply
Registration was online, and the 2026 notices above refer to a regular fee and a late fee. The sources opened here do not state the fee amounts, eligibility rules or merit rules, so check PMDC's notices for your session on the PMDC website.
Preparation tips
Biology carries 45% of the paper, so give it the most time.
Work from the PMDC curriculum and its learning outcomes.
With no negative marking, answer every question.
Is there negative marking in MDCAT?
No. The PMDC curriculum document states there is no negative marking.
What are the minimum pass marks?
55% for medical college admission and 50% for dental college admission.