SZABMU MD / MS Part-I — Exam Pattern & Topic Weightage
Part-I is the written entry exam for the MD (medicine and allied) and MS (surgery and allied) residency programmes at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University. It has two papers of 100 single-best-answer MCQs each. Paper I is the same basic-sciences paper for every discipline; Paper II is applied medicine or applied surgery depending on the degree you choose. This page sets out the official topic weightage from the university roadmap.
Paper I — basic sciences (all disciplines)
100 MCQs, 100 marks. Common to MD, MS and MDS candidates apart from the MDS-specific subjects.
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Anatomy | 30% |
| Physiology | 30% |
| Pathology | 20% |
| Biochemistry | 10% |
| Pharmacology | 10% |
Paper II — applied medicine (MD and allied disciplines)
100 MCQs, 100 marks.
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Inflammation, infection and sepsis | 12% |
| Immunology | 5% |
| Fluids, electrolytes and acid-base balance | 10% |
| Haematology | 10% |
| Cardiovascular system | 10% |
| Respiratory system | 10% |
| Gastroenterology | 10% |
| Hepatology and nephrology | 10% |
| Neurology and rheumatology | 8% |
| Endocrinology and diabetes | 10% |
| ICU care | 5% |
Paper II — applied surgery (MS and allied disciplines)
100 MCQs, 100 marks.
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Fluids and electrolytes | 20% |
| Inflammation and sepsis | 15% |
| Endocrine | 10% |
| GIT | 10% |
| Neurosurgery | 10% |
| Gynae / Obs | 10% |
| Infections | 5% |
| Urology | 5% |
| Orthopaedic surgery | 5% |
| ENT / Eye | 5% |
| Anaesthesia / ICU care | 5% |
Worth knowing
- Part-I validity is two years. A pass lets you apply online for the Part-II residency programme once SZABMU advertises it; if the validity lapses you sit Part-I again.
- Dates and any change to the pattern are announced in the national press and on the SZABMU website, so confirm the current notification before you plan.
- The MDS (dental) Part-I has a different syllabus, with dental subjects such as dental materials, oral biology and oral pathology.
Frequently asked questions
How many MCQs are there in SZABMU MD / MS Part-I?+
Two papers of 100 single-best-answer MCQs each, 100 marks per paper.
Is Paper I the same for MD and MS?+
Yes. Paper I covers the basic sciences and is common to all disciplines. Only Paper II differs: applied medicine for MD, applied surgery for MS.
Which Paper II topics carry the most marks for MS?+
Fluids and electrolytes (20%) and inflammation and sepsis (15%) together carry more than a third of the surgery paper.
How long is a Part-I result valid?+
Two years from the result, according to the SZABMU road map for postgraduate residents.
More SZABMU MD / MS Part-I Residency Exam 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 SZABMU MD MCQsGuidance is provided for candidates' convenience and is not an official SZABMU publication. Always confirm current rules and criteria at www.szabmu.edu.pk.