MDCAT Passing Marks: What Score Do You Need?
MDCAT passing marks set the eligibility floor, not the admission ceiling. Here is what the PMC threshold means, how aggregate merit works, and what scores top colleges actually require.
MDCAT passing marks set by PMC are the minimum score to be eligible for MBBS/BDS admission. As of recent cycles, the eligibility threshold has been around 60% (confirm at pmc.gov.pk). But passing MDCAT is the floor, not the ceiling: top medical college merit cutoffs are much higher, often requiring 80%+ aggregate.
MDCAT passing marks are the minimum score required to be eligible for MBBS and BDS admission in Pakistan. PMC sets this threshold each year. As of recent cycles, the eligibility threshold has been set at 60% (around 126 out of 210 marks), but PMC can change this, so always verify the current figure at pmc.gov.pk before your exam. Clearing the threshold is the floor, not the goal: actually getting into a medical college requires a much higher overall aggregate.
What are the MDCAT passing marks set by PMC?
PMC publishes the MDCAT eligibility threshold each year alongside the test announcement. In recent cycles, students needed at least 60% in MDCAT to be eligible for MBBS admission (50% for BDS in some cycles). This figure can be updated each year, so do not rely on older sources. Go to pmc.gov.pk for the official threshold for your sitting.
| Program | PMC eligibility threshold (recent cycles) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | 60% (around 126/210) | pmc.gov.pk (verify for current year) |
| BDS | 50% (some cycles) | pmc.gov.pk (verify for current year) |
Passing MDCAT vs. getting into a medical college
Meeting the MDCAT passing marks makes you eligible, but eligibility does not equal admission. Admission is based on an overall merit aggregate that combines your MDCAT score with your FSc and Matric marks. The standard PMDC formula used in most provinces is: Matric 10%, FSc 40%, MDCAT 50%. A student who barely passes MDCAT at 60% will have a low aggregate and will not secure a seat at a competitive public medical college.
What aggregate do top medical colleges require?
Top public and private medical colleges in Pakistan are highly competitive. Closing merits move each year based on the number of seats and the applicant pool. The figures below are approximate trends from recent cycles: always check the official merit lists from each college for accurate current cutoffs.
| College | Type | Approximate aggregate needed (trend) |
|---|---|---|
| Aga Khan University (AKU) | Private | Very high (own test, separate criteria) |
| King Edward Medical University (KEMU) | Public | ~85-90%+ aggregate |
| Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) | Public | ~82-88%+ aggregate |
| Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC) | Public | ~82-88%+ aggregate |
| Nishtar Medical University | Public | ~78-84%+ aggregate |
| Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) | Public, women only | ~80-86%+ aggregate |
| Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) | Public | ~80-86%+ aggregate |
These figures are estimates based on historical merit trends and are not official. Closing merits change every year. Always check the official merit lists published by each university or the provincial admissions portal for the year you are applying.
How MDCAT score affects your aggregate
MDCAT carries 50% of the aggregate under the PMDC formula. That makes it the single biggest lever you can still move before applying. FSc carries 40% but is largely fixed by the time you sit MDCAT. Matric carries only 10%. If your FSc and Matric are already locked in, every extra mark in MDCAT makes the most impact on your final merit.
- MDCAT carries 50% of your aggregate: the highest weight of any component.
- A 10-mark improvement in MDCAT moves your aggregate by roughly 0.45-0.5 percentage points.
- For top colleges with closing merits in the high 80s, even 1-2 aggregate points can mean the difference between making the list and missing it.
- Passing the MDCAT threshold (60%) but scoring 65% is usually not competitive for any public college seat.
What to do if you are near the passing threshold
If your practice tests show you are near the 60% threshold, you need to shift your strategy. Do not just aim to pass: aim for 75%+ in MDCAT to be competitive for public college seats. Identify your weakest subject (usually Biology or Chemistry), drill that topic heavily, and take full mocks weekly to build speed and reduce careless errors.
Build your MDCAT score on Parhlai with topic-wise MCQs and full-length timed mocks to track exactly where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the MDCAT passing marks for MBBS?
As of recent cycles, PMC has set the MDCAT eligibility threshold at 60% (approximately 126 out of 210 marks) for MBBS. This figure can change each year. Always verify the current passing threshold at pmc.gov.pk before your exam.
Does passing MDCAT guarantee a seat in a medical college?
No. Passing MDCAT only makes you eligible to apply. Actual admission is based on a merit aggregate combining MDCAT (50%), FSc (40%), and Matric (10%). Top public medical colleges have closing merits well above 80%, so a bare pass in MDCAT is not competitive.
What MDCAT score do I need for a government medical college?
There is no single cutoff. Each province and college publishes its own closing merit after admissions. For competitive public colleges like KEMU or DUHS, students typically need an overall aggregate above 82-90%. That requires scoring well above the minimum pass mark in MDCAT. Check official merit lists from each college for exact figures.
Can I get into a private medical college with just the passing marks?
Private medical colleges generally have lower aggregate cutoffs than top public colleges, but the threshold still varies by institution. Some private colleges accept lower aggregates, while others (like AKU) are more selective than public colleges. Always check each college's official admission criteria directly.
What is the MDCAT passing threshold for BDS?
In some recent cycles, PMC set a lower eligibility threshold for BDS (dental) admission than for MBBS. As of some cycles, this was around 50%. Always verify the current BDS threshold at pmc.gov.pk for your cycle, as PMC can update it each year.
How does my MDCAT score affect my overall merit?
MDCAT carries 50% of the aggregate under the PMDC formula. It is the single highest-weighted component. Improving your MDCAT score has the biggest impact on your aggregate compared to the same improvement in FSc (40%) or Matric (10%). Every extra mark in MDCAT directly boosts your merit.
Academic Content Writer, Parhlai
Sana Malik writes Parhlai's study-skills, scholarships, and student-life guides, focused on helping Pakistani students study smarter and stress less.
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