The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially scheduled the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025 to take place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, across all provinces. This decision ends months of uncertainty for thousands of medical and dental aspirants preparing for the competitive entrance examination.

Exam Format Updated: 180 MCQs, 3-Hour Duration

The MDCAT 2025 will feature a total of 180 multiple-choice questions, designed to be completed within a three-hour timeframe. The new structure introduces a more streamlined and focused testing process while retaining comprehensive subject coverage. The difficulty level will be distributed as 15% easy, 70% moderate, and 15% difficult. Importantly, the exam will have no negative marking, aiming to reduce stress and improve candidate performance.

Revised Syllabus Introduces English and Logical Reasoning

In a significant reform, the revised MDCAT syllabus now includes English and Logical Reasoning alongside core science subjects. The subject breakdown will be:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • English
  • Logical Reasoning

This broader curriculum is designed to assess not only scientific knowledge but also analytical thinking, comprehension, and communication skills, which are crucial for medical education and practice.

Provincial Domicile Required for Test Location

As per updated regulations, candidates are required to take the MDCAT in the province or region of their domicile. This rule aims to enhance fairness, manage logistics effectively, and prevent location-based exam manipulation or overload.

New Passing Criteria for MBBS and BDS Admissions

PMDC has set clear cut-off scores for MDCAT 2025:

  • A minimum of 55% marks will be required for admission to MBBS programs.
  • A minimum of 50% marks will be required for admission to BDS programs.

These standards align with national policy to maintain the quality of medical and dental admissions while accommodating the revised subject structure and format.

PMDC Introduces Question Bank to Align with Reforms

To support students and institutions, PMDC has issued a new official question bank aligned with the revised syllabus. This will help ensure consistency in preparation and set realistic expectations about the types and difficulty levels of questions candidates will face in the actual exam.

Objective Behind Reforms: Modern, Streamlined Testing

The overhaul of the MDCAT exam structure reflects PMDC’s commitment to modernizing healthcare education in Pakistan. By condensing the exam duration, introducing analytical and language components, and removing negative marking, the new format supports a more balanced, inclusive, and effective assessment model for future healthcare professionals.

Impact on Students, Schools, and Test Preparations

Students must now revise their study plans to accommodate the inclusion of new subjects and the shortened testing window. Coaching academies, educational institutions, and content developers are urged to update preparation materials, mock exams, and course outlines accordingly. Teachers are also advised to provide students with practice in English comprehension and logic-based reasoning to strengthen performance under the updated exam criteria.

Next Steps: Focused Preparation for a Modernized MDCAT

With the date and structure now confirmed, aspirants should shift focus toward:

  • Practicing within the 3-hour timeframe
  • Mastering the newly introduced Logical Reasoning and English components
  • Adapting to the revised syllabus through structured revision plans
  • Taking full-length practice tests that simulate the updated exam conditions

The 2025 MDCAT reforms represent a shift toward competency-based assessment, aiming to prepare students not just for entrance but for success in the demanding fields of medicine and dentistry.