For 2025, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially revised the structure and weightage of the PMDC MDCAT 2025. This shift is part of the ongoing reforms to unify and standardize the medical entry test process across the country. Below are the major updates compared to MDCAT 2024:

Total MCQs Reduced

One of the most noticeable changes is the reduction in the number of questions:

• PMDC MDCAT 2024: 210 MCQs
• PMDC MDCAT 2025: 180 MCQs

This makes the paper slightly shorter, reducing fatigue and improving focus, while keeping the difficulty level consistent.

Updated Subject-wise Weightage

As per PMDC's latest update, there has been a significant change in the subject-wise weightages. The number of questions for each subject have been altered, with Biology now comprising of 81 MCQs (previously 68) and amounting to 45% of the paper. Similarly, the number of questions in Chemistry have also decreased from 56 to 45, and Physics MCQs have gone from 56 to 36. English and Logical Reasoning each have 9 MCQs now, which previously was 20 and 10 respectively. The following table highlights these changes:

Changes in Topics

A lot of chapters and topics have been added and removed from Physics, Chemistry and Biology. To learn more about the updates, explore the PMDC MDCAT Syllabus 2025

Some other significant changes are mentioned below:

1. Unified National MDCAT

It has been decided that in 2025, instead of having provincial variants, a single MDCAT will be conducted by the PMDC across Pakistan. This change is aimed at ensuring consistency in the difficulty level and standard of the exam across the country. This issue was highlighted in MDCAT 2024, where differing levels of difficulty across provinces led to problems and even the MDCAT reconduct.

2. Introduction of E-Assessment

To improve the exam's security and transparency, MDCAT 2025 will be a computer-based (e-test) exam. This decision is in response to the paper leaks and cheating issues that marred MDCAT 2023 and 2024, leading to the Sindh Reconduct. The transition to e-assessments will ensure a more secure and efficient exam process, reducing human error and improving fairness.

3. MDCAT 2025 Timeline

PMDC MDCAT 2025 is scheduled to be held on 01 September, 2025, just like last year. However, stay tuned with the official website as the date is still not confirmed.

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This is one of the most important points that students should focus on - all other aspects are out of your control but you can always decide to start preparing earlier to avoid any surprises later. If you are worried about how to manage your second year with MDCAT, watch this helpful video on this topic by Sir Shah.

4. Focus on Higher Cognitive Skills

A key highlight from the meeting was the shift towards assessing higher cognitive abilities in MDCAT. Future exams will include more questions that assess critical thinking, contextual understanding, and problem-solving skills—moving beyond just rote memorization. This change is aimed at evaluating students’ potential as future health professionals.

6. Commitment to Transparency and Fairness

The PMDC MDCAT Reform Committee emphasized its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process. This will be achieved through the adoption of an e-assessment system that reduces human error and potential biases. This initiative is part of the broader effort to restore public trust in the exam and ensure its credibility.

7. Enhanced Question Bank and Exam Integrity

The PMDC is working on building a sustainable question bank to improve the quality and consistency of the exam questions. This initiative aims to ensure that MDCAT better assesses a student’s potential as a health professional and not just their ability to memorize facts.

8. Action Plan for Reforms

The committee has formed three sub-committees to ensure successful implementation of the reforms:

• MDCAT Syllabus Committee: Responsible for drafting a unified syllabus and creating a table of specifications.
• E-Assessment Project Committee: To propose a secure question bank portal and e-assessment plan.
• MDCAT Policy Document Committee: To develop a policy document for the smooth implementation of the national exam.

Want a quick summary on PMDC Update 2025?
Watch this short video by Sir Shah

Conclusion‍

The MDCAT 2025 reforms are set to bring significant improvements to the exam’s transparency, security, and overall fairness. With a unified syllabus, an e-assessment system, and a stronger focus on assessing cognitive abilities, MDCAT 2025 will provide a more accurate reflection of students' true capabilities.

Another important change is the introduction of a more streamlined syllabus, which focuses on core concepts, allowing students to focus their efforts more efficiently. The e-assessment system will also improve exam security and reduce the potential for cheating, ensuring a more reliable exam experience for all.

While changes continue to emerge, it’s important to remember that MDCAT remains a test of knowledge and application, and preparation is what you can control. Stay updated on the latest reforms, but start your MDCAT preparation now to give yourself the best chance for success. The sooner you begin, the more confident and stress-free you will feel when the exam date arrives.