MDCAT Merit List 2026: Formula, Closing Merit & Statistics

MDCAT Merit List 2026: Status, Aggregate Formula, Closing Merit & Statistics

The MDCAT 2026 merit list is not out yet, but you can prepare now. This page explains how merit is worked out, what the numbers mean, and how the merit-list process runs in each province.

MDCAT 2026 statistics

Subject weightage

Registrations this year were far lower than the "170,000+" figure quoted by older pages, which came from 2023.

Result vs merit list: what is the difference?

Students often mix these up.

• Result: your MDCAT marks out of 180, and whether you passed.

• Merit list: your rank among all applicants for each college, using your aggregate.

Passing MDCAT gets you into the race. Your aggregate decides where you finish.

How MDCAT merit is calculated (2026–27 admissions)

Public-sector merit uses one formula across Punjab, KPK, Sindh, Balochistan, and Federal admissions:

Aggregate = 10% Matric + 40% FSc + 50% MDCAT

Here is how each part is worked out:

• Matric: (marks obtained ÷ total) × 10

• FSc: (marks obtained ÷ total) × 40

• MDCAT: (score ÷ 180) × 50

Worked example

Why every MDCAT mark matters: one MDCAT mark adds about 0.28 points to your aggregate. One FSc mark adds only about 0.04. So ten extra MDCAT marks are worth about 2.8 points, and ten extra FSc marks are worth about 0.4.

NUMS and some private colleges use their own formulas, so read each prospectus.

Elective subjects and MDCAT merit

Students often search for this. The standard PMDC formula uses your overall percentage in Matric and FSc, plus your MDCAT score. Some admission policies, including KMU's, add notes about elective science subjects for certain qualifications. If you have an unusual subject combination or an A Level or foreign qualification, check this before you rely on a calculator.

MDCAT merit list 2026 by province

Each authority publishes its own dates, so do not trust a single "national" date from a random site.

How the merit-list process works

1. Result: each authority publishes marks for its candidates.

2. Application: you apply on the admitting university's portal and list your college preferences.

3. First merit list: the highest-aggregate candidates get seats.

4. Fee deadline: selected candidates must pay within a short window, often three working days. Miss it, and the seat goes to the next candidate.

5. Upgradation rounds: freed seats are offered again, and students can move up to a better college. Some provinces run several rounds.

6. Final list: the last round sets the true closing merit.

Last cycle shows how long this can take. KMU was still holding a sixth round of placement and upgradation in late February 2026.

MBBS vacant seats at KMU

Vacant seats appear when a selected candidate does not pay the fee on time, or when a reserved-quota seat has no eligible candidate. Under KMU's policy, unfilled quota seats can move to open merit. KMU posts vacant-seat statistics before each round.

Until then, avoid any website that quotes a seat count you cannot trace to KMU.

Closing merit: how to read it

Closing merit is the aggregate of the last student admitted to a college in the final list. Three things to remember:

• It changes every year. It moves with paper difficulty and candidate strength.

• Open merit and quota seats differ. Quota seats can close a few points lower.

• Sources disagree. Use official lists, not summary tables.

As a rough guide, top public colleges in Punjab and Islamabad have closed in the low-to-mid 90s in recent cycles. Many other public colleges have closed lower. Treat this as a range, not a promise, and compare it with your own aggregate.

PMC MDCAT test scores: how long are they valid?

PMC is the old council name. Scores now come from PMDC through your testing university. Under PM&DC law, an MDCAT result is valid across the country for three years. So your 2026 score can support later admission cycles if you decide not to retake the test.

MDCAT merit list 2026: FAQs

When will the MDCAT merit list 2026 come out?
Merit lists follow the official result. Each admitting university announces its own dates, so watch your province's portal.

What is the MDCAT merit formula for 2026?
Aggregate = 10% Matric + 40% FSc + 50% MDCAT (out of 180).

How is merit calculated for 2026–27 admissions?
Convert each score to a percentage, apply the weights above, and add the three results.

Do elective subjects change my merit?
The standard formula uses overall percentages. Some policies have notes for certain qualifications, so read your university's prospectus.

What is the MDCAT merit list 2026 for KPK?
KMU publishes it through its admission portal, with several lists and upgradation rounds.

What is the MDCAT merit list 2026 for Punjab?
UHS Lahore publishes it for public colleges in Punjab.

What is the MDCAT merit list 2026 for Sindh?
Sukkur IBA conducted the test, and Sindh's admitting universities publish the lists [verify].

What is the closing merit of MDCAT 2026?
It is not known until final lists are published. Past cycles help as a guide only.

How many students took MDCAT 2026?
About 138,000 registered, across 34 Pakistani cities and Riyadh.

What are the MDCAT 2026 passing marks?
55% (99/180) for MBBS and 50% (90/180) for BDS.

How long is the MDCAT score valid?
Three years, and it is valid nationwide.

How do I find vacant MBBS seats at KMU?
KMU posts vacant-seat statistics before each admission round on its portal.