Need help planning your preparation? Contact Amicus in Islamabad about MDCAT preparation.
Purpose & eligibility
MDCAT is the Medical and Dental College Admission Test for MBBS/BDS admission. Passing the test and getting a seat are separate steps: the admitting university checks your academic qualifications, required subjects, equivalence, category and merit.
Use the admission rules and prospectus for the year and province in which you apply. Check academic eligibility before registering, especially with a foreign qualification or an overseas-seat application.
Official source: PM&DC rules and regulations
Format & syllabus
The official syllabus listing reviewed on 8 October 2026 links to the 2025 curriculum. The format below is from that document. Check PM&DC for a newer curriculum or sitting-specific notice before relying on it for a future exam.
| Subject | Questions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 81 | 45% |
| Chemistry | 45 | 25% |
| Physics | 36 | 20% |
| English | 9 | 5% |
| Logical Reasoning | 9 | 5% |
The published curriculum specifies paper-based MCQs, no negative marking and minimum test pass marks of 55% for Medical and 50% for Dental admission. These are test thresholds, not guaranteed admission cutoffs.
Official source: Published curriculum PDF
Official source: Current official syllabus listing
Dates & fees
PM&DC moved the 2026 test from 16 August to 20 September 2026. As checked on 8 October, the 2026 registration portal is closed. Use official notices for any future sitting; this page does not list an unverified 2027 date.
Official source: 2026 rescheduling notice
| 2026 registration category | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Pakistan centres: regular | PKR 9,000 |
| Pakistan centres: late | PKR 13,000 |
| International centre: regular | PKR 45,000 |
| International centre: late | PKR 55,000 |
Official source: 2026 registration and fee notice
How to register
- Read the official notice for your intended sitting, including eligibility, test centres and deadline.
- When registration is available, open PM&DC’s MDCAT portal and enter the details required by the application.
- Complete the required documents, select the available centre and pay through the generated instructions. Save payment proof.
- Check submitted status and obtain the admit card or roll-number slip according to the conducting university’s instructions.
- After results, apply separately for MBBS/BDS through the relevant admission process.
Official source: Official registration notice
Test-day checklist
Check the instructions issued with your actual admit card for required original identification, stationery, arrival time and prohibited items. Your conducting university’s venue instructions take priority over generic preparation advice.
Check travel and venue access the day before. Practise filling an answer sheet accurately; a correct calculation is not useful if the answer is marked against the wrong question.
Official source: PM&DC official announcements
Results & next steps
Use PM&DC’s results page and the conducting university’s official announcements to locate your result, answer keys and any correction or objection procedure. Follow the deadline in the relevant notice rather than assuming the same timetable every year.
For admission, check the current MBBS/BDS prospectus, academic eligibility, domicile or seat-category requirements, merit formula and application deadline. Keep your result and application documents together.
Official source: Official MDCAT results
How to prepare
Suggested study approach from Amicus. Adapt the pace to your starting level and application deadline.
- Download the applicable official curriculum and turn its learning outcomes into a checklist.
- Use your textbooks to resolve conceptual gaps, then practise topic-based questions.
- Balance study across the five subjects using the published weightings. Include English and reasoning in your weekly plan.
- Use timed full papers based on the applicable format. Track weak topics, pacing and answer-sheet errors separately.
Common questions
Does passing MDCAT guarantee MBBS/BDS admission?
No. The test threshold is only part of eligibility. Seats are awarded through the relevant admission and merit process.
Is the 2025 syllabus automatically the syllabus for every future year?
No. It is the published document linked by the official listing checked for this guide. Use a newer curriculum or official sitting-specific direction when issued.
Where do I find the next test date?
Use PM&DC announcements and the MDCAT portal. Dates can change through later notices, as happened with the 2026 sitting.
Where should I check a fee or application dispute?
Keep your payment proof and contact the official portal or conducting university named in your registration notice. Do not rely on a preparation provider to confirm registration.
Official links
Go directly to the organisation responsible for your test. These links open in a new tab.