NUMS MDCAT 2025 is scheduled to be held on 14 September 2025!

If you aspire to join Pakistan’s top military and medical colleges, you must know about the NUMS MDCAT. Organized by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), this test is mandatory for admission into colleges like the Army Medical College (AMC) and other NUMS-affiliated institutions.

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about the NUMS MDCAT, from the application process to the exam format, merit criteria, important FAQs, and how to prepare smartly with platforms like Maqsad.

Quick Look

• What is the NUMS MDCAT?
• How to Apply for NUMS MDCAT 2025
• NUMS Registration Fee 2025
• NUMS Test Timing and Pattern
• Eligibility Criteria for NUMS MDCAT
• Merit Calculation for NUMS
• NUMS vs PMDC MDCAT: What’s the Difference?
• NUMS vs UHS MDCAT: What’s the Difference?
• List of NUMS-Affiliated Medical and Dental Colleges
• NUMS MDCAT and Army Medical College (AMC)
• Final Tips for NUMS MDCAT Aspirants
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The NUMS MDCAT (Medical and Dental College Admission Test) is a specialized entrance exam conducted annually by NUMS. It is distinct from the UHS MDCAT conducted for public medical colleges in Punjab.

NUMS MDCAT is mandatory for students applying to Army Medical College Rawalpindi, CMH Lahore Medical College, Bahria University Medical and Dental College Karachi, and other affiliated institutes.

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Unlike the centralized MDCAT regulated by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) for general public medical colleges, the MDCAT NUMS is specific to NUMS institutions and follows a slightly different pattern.

The NUMS registration 2025 process is a critical step for all aspiring medical students. Here's what you need to know:

1. Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have valid citizenship of Pakistan, be Overseas Pakistanis, Dual Nationals, or Foreign Nationals. FSc/HSSC/A-Levels/12th Grade students, including those awaiting results, can apply.
2. Documentation: Prepare all necessary documents, including academic certificates and identification proof.
3. Online Application: The NUMS registration 2025 is conducted online through the official NUMS website.
4. Fee Payment: Complete the registration fee payment, which is non-refundable and non-transferable.

According to official and prep sources, the key NUMS 2025 dates are set as follows:

• Registration opens on 20 June 2025
• NUMS Entry test (MDCAT) 2025 is on Sunday, 14 September 2025 at 10:00 AM.

The NUMS entry test is held simultaneously in major cities nationwide.

Punjab: Centers include Rawalpindi (Army Medical College), Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala and others.

Sindh: Centers are in Karachi and Hyderabad.

KPK: include Peshawar and Abbottabad

Balochistan: Quetta

Pro Tip: Always apply early to avoid technical issues close to the deadline. For expert tips on application and preparation, check out Maqsad, Pakistan’s leading learning platform for medical aspirants!

The NUMS registration fee for 2025 is expected to be around Rs. 4,200 to Rs. 5,000, subject to official updates.

Always verify the final fee structure from the official NUMS portal when the admission advertisement is released.

The NUMS test timing usually follows this pattern:

• Test Month: Early September
• Duration: 150 minutes (2.5 hours)
• Start Time: 10:00 AM sharp (usually Sunday)
• Reporting Time: At least 1.5 hours before test start.

The test syllabus is as follows:

• Biology: 35%
• Chemistry: 25%
• Physics: 25%
• English: 10%
• Psychological Test: 5% (separate section, qualifying only)

There are no negative markings in NUMS MDCAT, unlike some international tests. This encourages candidates to attempt all questions without fear.

Students must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• Minimum FSc (Pre-Medical) or equivalent with at least 60% marks.
• Appear in NUMS MDCAT 2025.
• For Army Medical College (AMC) – students must pass both NUMS MDCAT and an interview process.
• Students awaiting their final results can apply provisionally.

Important Note: If you plan to also apply through UHS MDCAT, you must appear in the centralized PMDC MDCAT separately.

The final merit for NUMS admissions is calculated as:

• NUMS MDCAT: 50%
• FSc / HSSC / A-level Equivalent: 40%
• Matric/O-Level: 10%

Thus, your NUMS MDCAT score holds major weight but FSc marks matter significantly too. Use this NUMS Aggregate Calculator to easily see where you stand.

In Pakistan, aspiring medical and dental students generally take either the NUMS MDCAT or the PMDC MDCAT depending on the institutions they aim to apply to.

The NUMS MDCAT is conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) and is exclusively for students seeking admission in NUMS-affiliated medical colleges, such as Army Medical College and CMH institutions. It includes a psychological assessment component and has a slightly different weightage and format compared to the national test.

On the other hand, the PMDC MDCAT is conducted by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and is the standardized national-level exam required for admission into all public and private medical colleges in Pakistan—except those affiliated with NUMS.

If you're applying only to NUMS colleges, you'll need to take the NUMS MDCAT. However, if you're applying to both NUMS and other institutions, then you’ll need to take both exams, as PMDC MDCAT is not accepted by NUMS, and NUMS MDCAT is not accepted by other colleges.

The following is a summary table of the key differences:

If you're a pre-medical student in Pakistan aiming for an MBBS or BDS degree, understanding the difference between the NUMS MDCAT and the UHS MDCAT is crucial. These two entrance exams cater to different sets of medical colleges, and each has its own format, syllabus, and application process.

Here’s a quick overview:

• NUMS MDCAT is conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences for admission into its affiliated colleges such as Army Medical College (AMC), CMH Lahore Medical College, and others.
• UHS MDCAT (now regulated under PMDC but conducted by University of Health Sciences) is primarily for admissions into public sector medical and dental colleges in Punjab like King Edward, Fatima Jinnah, and others.

Both tests are essential if you're targeting multiple institutes, but they differ in their format, content focus, and scope.

The following table summarises the key differences:

A list of all medical colleges offering MBBS that are affiliated with NUMS and run by the armed forces is given below.

• Wah Medical College, Wah Cantt
• HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences, Taxila Cantt
• CMH Kharian Medical  College, Kharian Cantt
• CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry, Lahore Cantt
• CMH Multan Institute of Medical Sciences, Multan Cantt
• CMH Institute of Medical Sciences, Bahawalpur Cantt
• Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, Malir Cantt
• Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Quetta Cantt
• Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad
• Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi
• Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College, Karachi (Subj to Approval of PM&DC)
• Fazaia Medical College, Islamabad
• NUST School of Health Sciences (NSHS), Islamabad

The following armed forces administered colleges offer BDS programs.

• CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry, Lahore Cantt
• HITEC Dental College, Taxila Cantt
• CIMS Dental College, Multan
• Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad
• Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi

To pursue an MBBS or BDS degree through NUMS, students can apply to a variety of military-administered and private medical colleges across Pakistan. Here’s a list of NUMS-affiliated colleges along with their available seats for 2025:

For admission into AMC (Rawalpindi):

• You must clear the NUMS MDCAT.
• Additional requirements may include an interview and physical/medical fitness for cadet categories.
• MDCAT is necessary for AMC even if applying as a civilian candidate.

Fees for AMC MBBS program for civilians usually range around Rs. 220,000 to Rs. 250,000 per year (subject to change).

Success in the NUMS MDCAT requires a solid study plan, consistent practice, and stress management on exam day. Understanding the format, practicing with past papers, and strengthening your biology, chemistry, and physics concepts is crucial.

To boost your chances, platforms like Maqsad offer MDCAT preparation programs tailored for MDCAT NUMS candidates — with practice tests, concept videos, and revision planners designed for success.

Stay confident, stay consistent, and start early. Your medical career starts with a strong NUMS MDCAT performance!

Does NUMS accept MDCAT?
Yes. NUMS requires candidates to pass the PMC-conducted MDCAT in addition to its own NUMS entry test for MBBS/BDS admissions.

Is NUMS difficult than MDCAT?
NUMS is generally considered easier than MDCAT, as its focus is more on curriculum-based knowledge, while MDCAT has a higher difficulty and wider competition.

What is the fee of NUMS in MBBS?
For NUMS-affiliated colleges, MBBS tuition can range from PKR 1.2–1.5 million per year in private setups. Army Medical College (AMC) has lower fees for selected cadets.

What is the expected date of MDCAT 2025 in Pakistan?
MDCAT 2025 is expected to be held in August/September 2025 (exact date will be announced by PMDC).

Is NUMS under the army?
Yes. NUMS (National University of Medical Sciences) is a public-sector university under the Pakistan Army, headquartered in Rawalpindi.

What is the fee for MBBS in Army Medical College?
For Army cadets, MBBS at AMC is heavily subsidized. For civilian seats (NUMS test route), the annual fee is usually PKR 220,000–250,000, significantly lower than private colleges.

Which medical field is best without MDCAT?
Students who don’t appear in MDCAT can pursue pharmacy, physiotherapy (DPT), nursing, medical lab technology (MLT), biotechnology, or public health in universities that do not require MDCAT.

What is the expected merit of MDCAT 2025?
Merit trends suggest top colleges may close around 88–90%+ aggregate, with mid-tier colleges in the 75–80% range. Final merit depends on test difficulty and applicant performance.

Which colleges are under the NUMS?
NUMS oversees Army Medical College (AMC) and several affiliated private medical/dental colleges across Pakistan, including CMH Lahore, CMH Multan, CMH Kharian, and others.

How many seats are there in NUMS?

• Total MBBS Seats: ~1,600
• Total BDS Seats: ~350
• Open Merit MBBS Seats: ~900
• Open Merit BDS Seats: ~220
• Foreign/Overseas Quota: ~15% of each college's seats
• Military Reserved Seats: Mostly at AMC & QIMS