How the MDCAT aggregate is calculated from your Matric, FSc and MDCAT marks, with a worked example, the marks you need for a target merit, and tips.
Every year, more than a hundred thousand students take the MDCAT for a limited number of MBBS and BDS seats. Admission is decided by an aggregate: a single percentage that combines your Matric, FSc and MDCAT results. Understanding it helps you set a realistic target and see exactly how many MDCAT marks you need.
The MDCAT aggregate formula
The weighting most widely published under PMDC admission rules is:
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Matric / SSC (or equivalent) | 10% |
| FSc Pre-Medical / HSSC (or equivalent) | 40% |
| MDCAT | 50% |
Aggregate = (Matric % × 0.10) + (FSc % × 0.40) + (MDCAT % × 0.50)
Weights, test totals and rules can change between years and admitting universities, so always confirm them in the official admission policy for your year.
Step-by-step example
Ayesha scored 1050/1100 in Matric, 1020/1100 in FSc and 150/180 in MDCAT.
- Turn each result into a percentage. Matric: 1050 ÷ 1100 × 100 = 95.45%. FSc: 1020 ÷ 1100 × 100 = 92.73%. MDCAT: 150 ÷ 180 × 100 = 83.33%.
- Apply the weights. Matric: 95.45 × 0.10 = 9.545. FSc: 92.73 × 0.40 = 37.091. MDCAT: 83.33 × 0.50 = 41.667.
- Add them up. 9.545 + 37.091 + 41.667 = 88.303%.
You can check any combination in seconds with the MDCAT Aggregate Calculator.
Which MDCAT total should you use: 200 or 180?
The MDCAT has been marked out of 200 in some years and 180 in others. What matters is that you divide your score by the total printed on your result card. The calculator lets you change the total.
How many MDCAT marks do you need?
Your Matric and FSc are fixed once results are out, so the useful question is: what MDCAT score gets me to my target? Rearranging the formula:
MDCAT % needed = (target − Matric points − FSc points) ÷ 0.50
For Ayesha, Matric and FSc already give 9.545 + 37.091 = 46.636 points. To reach a 90% aggregate she needs (90 − 46.636) ÷ 0.50 = 86.73% in MDCAT, which is about 157 out of 180.
In the calculator, leave the MDCAT box empty and type your target aggregate. Use the closing merit of the college you want from last year as a starting point, and aim a little higher, because merits often rise.
What one MDCAT mark is worth
With a 180-mark test and 50% weight, each MDCAT mark adds 0.5 ÷ 1.8 ≈ 0.28 aggregate points. On crowded merit lists, students are often separated by fractions of a point, so a handful of extra marks can move you past hundreds of applicants.
What if your FSc Part II result isn't out?
Many students calculate before final results. Use your Part I marks and total (for example 480 out of 550) to estimate. Your final aggregate will use whatever the admission policy specifies, usually the complete FSc result.
Tips to improve your merit
- Focus on MDCAT. At 50%, it's the biggest part you can still change.
- Practise under timed conditions. Speed and accuracy across all subjects matter more than mastering one chapter.
- Plan your preparation. Count your chapters and days with the Study Hours Calculator and build a weekly plan with the Study Timetable Generator.
- Compare with the right list. Public and private colleges, and different provinces, have very different closing merits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Matric counted in the MDCAT aggregate?
Under the widely published PMDC formula, yes: Matric is 10%. Check your year's admission policy in case it changes.
Do Hafiz-e-Quran students get extra marks?
Some admitting universities have given additional marks to Hafiz-e-Quran candidates in certain years. The rules vary, so check the current prospectus and add the marks as it describes.
Can I use the same formula for engineering?
No. Engineering universities use different weights. See NUST, UET and FAST aggregate formulas.