What MDCAT Stands For in Pakistan | Complete Guide

What does MDCAT stand for? 

The MDCAT stands for National Medical and Dental College Admission Test, otherwise known as the MDCAT or National MDCAT. This is the official test medical student aspirants have to take to qualify for a medical school and to help the admissions offices assess if you are a good fit for them. The initial testing body was the PMC (Pakistan Medical Commission), but in 2022, the testing body changed and the MDCAT 2023 will be conducted by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Commission (PMDC).

PMDC MDCAT Examination Age Limit: 

The PMDC has stated no official age limit for sitting for the MDCAT examination. This may be good news for a young, potential aspirant for the MDCAT. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be 16 years of age to sit for the PMDC MDCAT. If you are younger than that, that is also fine. But do make sure you do not sit for the exam so early that you are not able to prepare for MDCAT appropriately. Age is not as much of a factor as good quality MDCAT preparation is. 

PMDC MDCAT Eligibility: 

Those awaiting their results for the FSc and A-levels are eligible to appear for the MDCAT. Those who have passed their intermediate (FSC pre-medical) examination are required to have scored at least 70% of marks for the examination. This means they need to have scored 770 out of 1100 or more to be eligible to apply for MDCAT. 

PMDC MDCAT Examination Accepted Nationality: 

You do not need to be a Pakistani National to give the MDCAT. Foreign nationalities can also give the MDCAT. This means it does not matter if you do not have a Pakistani passport or dual nationality, you will be allowed to sit for the exam, as per your personal circumstances. For this reason, there are test centers not only in Pakistan but also in various other cities around the globe. The international test centers include but are not limited to Dubai, Riyadh, Chicago, and London.

PMDC MDCAT Examination Educational Qualifications:

Those awaiting their results for the FSc and A-levels are eligible to appear for the MDCAT. For FSc, you are required to have taken pre-medical subjects, while for A-levels, you need to have taken Biology as a subject. 

PMC MDCAT Examination Structure in Pakistan:

There are five subjects for the MDCAT examination. This is the revised criteria for 2021. There used to be negative marking before the 2020 revision but that is not the case anymore, along with the total marks, before 1050 marks and now 210 marks. Below is the PMC MDCAT examination structure with the subject and marks breakdown:


SubjectsMarksTotal Marks
Biology68
Physics56
Chemistry56
English20200

PMDC MDCAT Syllabus 2023:

The PMDC has made a clear range of subjects for the MDCAT Syllabus 2023. There are five subjects to study for the MDCAT i.e Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and English, There is no defined syllabus shared by the PMDC for MDCAT 2023 as of now. There are chances that the PMC MDCAT 2022 syllabus will be used for the MDCAT 2023.

Subjects
Biology1. Bio-diversity (acellular life/variety of life)2. Bio-energetic3. Biological molecules4. Cell structure and function5. Coordination and control/nervous & chemical coordination6. Diversity among animals7. Enzymes8. Evolution9. Life process in animals and plants (nutrition/gaseous exchange/transport)10. Prokaryotes11. Reproduction12. Support and movement13. Variation and genetics/inheritance
Physics1. Force and motion2. Work and energy3. Rotational and circular motion4. Waves5. Thermodynamics6. Electrostatics7. Current electricity8. Electromagnetism9. Electromagnetic induction10. Electronics11. Dawn of modern physics12. Atomic spectra13. Nuclear physics
Chemistry1. Introduction to fundamental concepts of chemistry2. Atomic structure3. Gases4. Liquids5. Solids6. Chemical equilibrium7. Reaction kinetics8. Thermo-chemistry and energetics of chemical reactions9. Electrochemistry10. Chemical bonding11. S and p block elements12. Transition elements13. Fundamental principles of organic chemistry14. Chemistry of hydrocarbons15. Alkyl halides16. Alcohols and phenols17. Adehydes and ketones18. Carboxylic acids19. Macromolecules
English1. Comprehend key vocabulary2. Demonstrate control of tenses and sentence structure 3. Demonstrate ability to differentiate between correct and incorrect structure of sentences & Use of writing conventions of spelling, capitalization, and Punctuation4. Demonstrate correct use of subject-verb agreement & of articles and prepositions5. Demonstrate ability to identify mistakes in sentences or short written texts. These errors could be of inappropriate word order, vocabulary etc. 6 Demonstrate ability to comprehend short written text and select the most appropriate responses


PMDC MDCAT Examination Preparation:

  1. The Best Books to be used for the PMDC MDCAT Preparation are the books of respective boards i.e. a student from Sindh should prepare using the Sindh Textbook Board and should consider the PMC MDCAT 2022 syllabus for preparation. For additional preparation, students are advised to use books of Punjab and Federal Text Book Boards
  2. Previous Year Past Papers

A great way to revise for the MDCAT exam is to past papers. After conceptually understanding the subject at hand with revision and an educational platform like Nearpeer’s MDCAT test preparation, you can figure out your strengths and weaknesses, solve past papers and practice through (where applied):

  1. Single chapter approach
  2. Derivatives of formulas and equations
  3. Acing the MCQs scheme
  4. Mental calculations

For past paper access, you can sign up for an MDCAT course with Nearpeer and receive access to quizzes, pop-up questions, and past paper question-solving. 

PMDC MDCAT Paper Pattern 2023:

 The Paper pattern for the MDCAT is simple. The PMDC-officiated MDCAT paper pattern entails 200 total marks in the form of 200 total MCQs. There is an MCQ for each mark. For Biology, there are 68 MCQs. For Physics and Chemistry, there are 56 MCQs each. For English, there are 20 MCQs. The duration of the PMDC MDCAT is 3.5 hours, and the format is the physical exam. For the PMDC MDCAT 2023, there is no news of negative marking. 

PMDC MDCAT Date:

The PMDC MDCAT Exam date is not announced as of now, however, the exam is expected to be conducted in the second week of August 2023.

PMDC MDCAT Registration Fee: 

PMDC MDCAT registration fee is expected to be Rs. 1500/- However official news regarding the registration fee is still awaited.  

PMDC MDCAT Passing Percentage 2023:

The PMC MDCAT passing percentage was

  1. 55% for MBBS 
  2. 45% for BDS 

PMDC MDCAT Merit Calculation Formula 2023:

The Breakdown is as follows: 

  1. 10% of Matriculation/Equivalent Marks Merit
  2. 40% of Intermediate/Equivalent Marks
  3. 50% of National MDCAT Marks

Or just click the following link to access Nearpeer's MDCAT Aggregate Calculator.

https://www.nearpeer.org/np-form/6hwn03j9tw

How Do I Apply for the PDMC MDCAT 2023 Examination? MDCAT Registration Guide 2023

PMDC MDCAT Exam Registration will open in upcoming months, following step-wise guide will help you in registration for the MDCAT exam.

  1. Visit the PMC official website (Click here) for your registration for the MDCAT Exam. 
  2. Create an account for the website, using an appropriate username and password. The email you use will be the one on which you will receive your PMDC MDCAT 2023 result.
  3. After you create your account on the website, you will receive an email to confirm your account. Make sure to verify your account 
  4. You will then be required to fill out a form with the details required, including your CNIC and Passport information. Ensure that this information is accurate to prevent any future hassle. 
  5. After you have completed the form, you will find a screen requiring you to pay the fees through online payment (credit card or debit card) or using a bank service. After you submit the registration fee, the PMDC will automatically receive the payment. 
  6. Finally, you will receive your PMDC official roll number with access to the date of the exam and your respective test center. 

Seats in Public Punjab Medical Colleges Under MDCAT:

There are currently 18 PMDC-recognized institutions for Public Punjab Medical Colleges Under MDCAT. In these 18 institutions, there are a total of over 1000 seat allocations in Punjab.

Medical & Dental Colleges of Pakistan Under MDCAT:

There are over 167 separate public and private Medical & Dental Colleges in Pakistan Under MDCAT. These have in total over thousands of seats. To select the one that is the best option for you in terms of the institution, location, and other factors, visit PMC’s website. Click here to check it out. They have there under the recognized institutions and qualifications Tab the comprehensive list of all undergraduate Medical & Dental Colleges of Pakistan. 

Punjab Public Sector Medical Colleges Under MDCAT:


ProvinceCollege NameCitySeat Allocation
PUNJABAllama Iqbal Medical CollegeLahore325
PUNJABAmeer-ud-Din(PGMI) Medical CollegeLahore110
PUNJABArmy Medical CollegeRawalpindi204
PUNJABD.G. Khan Medical CollegeDera Ghazi Khan120
PUNJABFatima Jinnah Medical College for WomenLahore300
PUNJABFEDERAL MEDICAL COLLEGE, ISLAMABADIslamabad100
PUNJABGujranwala Medical CollegeGujranwala120
PUNJABKhawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical CollegeSialkot120
PUNJABKing Edward Medical UniversityLahore325
PUNJABNawaz Sharif Medical CollegeGujrat61
PUNJABNishtar Medical CollegeMultan300
PUNJABPunjab Medical CollegeFaisalabad300
PUNJABQuaid-e-Azam Medical CollegeBahawalpur325
PUNJABRawalpindi Medical CollegeRawalpindi350
PUNJABSahiwal Medical CollegeSahiwal120
PUNJABSargodha Medical CollegeSargodha120
PUNJABServices Institute of Medical SciencesLahore220
PUNJABShaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical & Dental CollegeLahore100


Private Sector Medical Colleges Under MDCAT:


ProvinceCollege NameCitySeat Allocation
PUNJABAbwa Medical CollegeFaisalabad100
PUNJABAkhtar Saeed Medical & Dental CollegeLahore150
PUNJABAl Aleem Medical CollegeLahore100
PUNJABAl-Nafees Medical CollegeIslamabad100
PUNJABAmna Inayat Medical CollegeLahore100
PUNJABAvicenna Medical CollegeLahore150
PUNJABAziz Fatimah Medical & Dental CollegeFaisalabad100
PUNJABAzra Naheed Medical CollegeLahore150
PUNJABBakhtawar Amin Medical & Dental CollegeMultan100
PUNJABCentral Parks Medical CollegeLahore100


Punjab Public Sector Dental Colleges Under MDCAT:


ProvinceCollege NameCitySeat Allocation
PUNJABde'Montmorency College of DentistryLahore110
PUNJABDental Section, Army Medical CollegeRawalpindi54
PUNJABDental Section, Punjab Medical CollegeFaisalabad65
PUNJABInstitute of Dentistry, Nishtar Medical CollegeMultan65
PUNJABSchool of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical UniversityISLAMABAD50


Private Sector Dental Colleges Under MDCAT:


ProvinceCollege NameCitySeat Allocation
PUNJABAvicenna Dental CollegeLahore50
PUNJABCollege of Dentistry, Bakhtawar Amin Medical & Dental CollegeMultan50
PUNJABCollege of Dentistry, Sharif Medical & Dental CollegeLahore50
PUNJABDental College, Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental CollegeLahore50
PUNJABDental College, FMH College of Medicine & DentistryLahore75
PUNJABDental College, HITEC Institute of Medical SciencesTaxila Cantt50
PUNJABDental College, Islamabad Medical & Dental CollegeIslamabad50
PUNJABDental College, Lahore Medical & Dental CollegeLahore75
PUNJABDental College, Rawal Institute of Health SciencesIslamabad50
PUNJABDental College, University College of Medicine & DentistryLahore75


Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it necessary to pass MDCAT for NUMS?

Yes. You are supposed to clear it or else are not eligible for NUMS. 

How to do NMDCAT preparation? Any tips? What kind of strategy should I adopt?

Studying for the MDCAT is not an easy process, but as long as you have the right mindset and are willing to put in the effort, it can be done and you can graduate with a high score. Nearpeer has all required MDCAT subjects, MDCAT test preparation, and more. This is very helpful in having quality resources, which is half of what you need to get a good score in your 2023 MDCAT. 

How to avoid procrastination? I want to know how to enjoy yourself while studying? 

There are many ways you can avoid procrastination. Firstly, make sure your phone or other distractions are away and out of sight. You can also ask your friends and family to not disturb you for any reason. Secondly, make sure you identify your weakness. Then, set goals and priorities for the topics that need to be worked on more so. Also, set deadlines. At the end of the day, don't overwork yourself too much, and make sure to give yourself rewards for following through with the deadlines and goals. 

How to keep yourself motivated?

It is important to stay motivated by remembering your dream at the end of the day. Maybe you want to be a doctor to save lives or go into research work. Also, you can reward yourself with breaks or candy (or whatever you like) as a reward for following through with the deadlines. 

How to do quick revisions for MDCAT?

Make notes for your MDCAT subjects and keep narrowing them down until weeks before the exam. Aim to make one-page notes until a week or two before the exam. This one-pager can be your quick revision guide. This can help you remember topics on the tip of your tongue, and can be a fast way to test your memory, understanding, and knowledge.  

Is MDCAT necessary for DPT?

No. The MDCAT is not necessary for DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapist). Each institute may have its own testing body though so that is something that needs to be looked into further by you. 

Is MDCAT necessary for D pharmacy?

No. The MDCAT is not necessary for DPT (Doctor of Pharmacy). Each institute may have its own testing body though so that is something that needs to be looked into further by you. 

What is the passing percentage of MDCAT?

The passing percentage for the MDCAT is 55% as per the formula for the equivalency. 

Is there a negative marking in the MDCAT 2023?

There is no negative marking in the 2023 MDCAT. 

What is the time allowed for the MDCAT 2023?

You have three hours and a half for the exam (3.5 hours).

What is the MDCAT 2023 difficulty level?

This depends on the student or the MDCAT 2023 aspirant. If you have a good mindset, are disciplined, and dedicated, and have access to good study resources (as Nearpeer can offer for MDCAT) then it should not be very difficult.

Conclusion: 

The MDCAT is an exam that has been subject to a lot of changes recently, but we hope you benefited from this complete guide to the PMDC MDCAT exam for 2023.  Since some of the information has not been released by the PMDC but expect updates whenever announcements are made from official PMDC sources. Still, Nearpeer is here to help you with all your MDCAT troubles with our high-quality, online MDCAT classes, along with other courses. Competitors can not match. Check out our courses for our reasonable prices and exciting discounts. Stay informed with future MDCAT updates through Nearpeer Blogs and our social media handles, including our official Facebook and Instagram. If you need any guidance regarding the MDCAT, MBBS, or BDS in general, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated team of Nearpeer counselors over WhatsApp at 0311-1444734. We know how to prepare for the MDCAT the RIGHT way. Good luck and happy learning!