PMDC MDCAT Syllabus & Structure
The National MDCAT is run by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) and is the standard entry test for medical and dental colleges across Pakistan. PMDC publishes one common curriculum so that candidates from different boards and backgrounds sit the same syllabus. Everything below comes from that official document, which you can download in full.
Applying for MDCAT 2026?
- The PMDC MDCAT syllabus for 2026 is unchanged from 2025 — the curriculum below is the one to prepare from.
- The paper tests problem solving and critical thinking, not recall alone, so practising applied questions matters more than memorising the syllabus list.
Structure
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total MCQs | 180 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Format | Paper-based MCQs |
| Pass marks — medical college | 55% |
| Pass marks — dental college | 50% |
| Negative marking | None |
Subject weightage
How the 180 MCQs are split across subjects:
| Subject | Weightage | No. of MCQs |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 45% | 81 |
| Chemistry | 25% | 45 |
| Physics | 20% | 36 |
| English | 5% | 9 |
| Logical Reasoning | 5% | 9 |
| Total | 100% | 180 |
Difficulty split
| Level | Share of paper |
|---|---|
| Easy | 15% |
| Moderate | 70% |
| Difficult | 15% |
Download the official curriculum
The complete PMDC MDCAT curriculum, unit by unit, for every subject.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PMDC MDCAT syllabus different for 2026?+
No. The 2026 syllabus is the same as 2025 — prepare from the curriculum on this page.
Is there negative marking in the National MDCAT?+
No. Wrong answers are not penalised, so attempt every question — a blank scores nothing, a guess might.
What score do I need to pass?+
55% for medical college admission and 50% for dental. Passing is the threshold to be eligible — actual admission depends on merit and competition.
Which subject carries the most marks?+
Biology, at 45% (81 of the 180 MCQs). Chemistry is 25% and Physics 20%, with English and Logical Reasoning at 5% each.
How is PMDC MDCAT different from NUMS?+
They are separate tests with different structures. PMDC is 180 MCQs in 3 hours and includes Logical Reasoning; NUMS is 150 MCQs plus a 50-MCQ psychological test. See our NUMS MDCAT page for the detail.
More MDCAT guidance
Know the rules. Now practise.
Understanding the exam is step one. Drill past-paper style MCQs with detailed explanations and track your accuracy by subject.
Practise MDCAT MCQsGuidance is provided for candidates' convenience and is not an official CPSP publication. Always confirm current rules and criteria at cpsp.edu.pk.