NUMS Entry Test 2026 – Registration & Eligibility Guide

The NUMS Entry Test, officially known as NUMS MDCAT, is the medical entrance examination conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) for admission to MBBS and BDS programs in NUMS constituent, affiliated and Armed Forces-administered medical and dental colleges.

For the 2026–27 admission session, NUMS has announced that NUMS MDCAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 10:00 AM PST at local examination centres. The examination is mandatory for admission to the medical and dental colleges covered under the NUMS admission system. NUMS has also clarified that only the NUMS MDCAT 2026 examination scheduled for 13 September 2026 will be valid for the relevant 2026–27 MBBS/BDS admissions.

It is important to understand that “NUMS Entry Test” can also refer to other NUMS admission tests for undergraduate, postgraduate and other programs. This guide specifically covers the NUMS MDCAT 2026 for MBBS and BDS admissions.

What is NUMS MDCAT?

NUMS MDCAT is a standardized, paper-based multiple-choice examination designed to assess the academic knowledge, problem-solving ability, critical thinking and other abilities considered relevant to medical education.

The official 2026 test specifications state that the examination evaluates knowledge of natural, behavioral and social sciences concepts and principles. NUMS also includes a psychological component intended to assess aptitude and mental robustness.

For students planning to study medicine or dentistry through the NUMS admission system, understanding the test requirements and preparing according to the official syllabus is essential.

Why is the NUMS Entry Test Important?

NUMS MDCAT is an important part of the admission process for MBBS and BDS programs offered through the NUMS admission system.

Candidates should understand that simply appearing in or passing the entrance test does not automatically guarantee admission. Medical and dental admissions are competitive, and final selection depends on the applicable merit formula, academic qualifications, available seats and admission policies.

Students should therefore aim for a strong score rather than preparing only to achieve the minimum passing requirement.

NUMS Entry Test 2026 Date

The official NUMS schedule states:

• Examination: NUMS MDCAT 2026

• Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026

• Local Centre Time: 10:00 AM PST

• Examination Type: Paper-based standardized MCQ examination

• Admission Session: MBBS/BDS 2026–27

NUMS has stated that the test will be conducted simultaneously at local examination centres. International centre candidates should follow the time mentioned on their admit card.

NUMS MDCAT 2026 Registration Schedule

According to the official NUMS announcement:

• Online Registration Started: 18 May 2026

• Regular Registration Deadline: 22 June 2026 at 1600 hours

• Late Registration Deadline: 19 August 2026 at 1600 hours

• NUMS MDCAT Examination: 13 September 2026

The regular and late registration deadlines have therefore already passed for the 2026 examination. Candidates should monitor the official NUMS website for any future admission announcements or additional instructions.

NUMS MDCAT 2026 Eligibility

Candidates with valid Pakistani citizenship, Overseas Pakistani status, dual nationality or foreign nationality can appear in NUMS MDCAT 2026, subject to the applicable admission requirements.

Candidates studying or holding the following qualifications can apply for the test:

• FSc

• HSSC

• A-Levels

• 12th Grade

• Equivalent qualifications

• Result-awaiting candidates, according to NUMS requirements

Candidates below 18 years of age are required to have a valid NADRA Juvenile Card.

For actual MBBS/BDS admission, candidates must also satisfy the academic and other requirements applicable to the relevant admission session. Candidates with foreign qualifications should carefully check equivalence requirements before applying for admission.

Academic Requirements for MBBS and BDS

Meeting the test eligibility requirements is different from meeting the complete admission requirements.

Candidates should check the current NUMS MBBS/BDS admission advertisement for the required percentage in FSc/HSSC or equivalent qualifications, compulsory subjects and other admission conditions.

The admission requirements may also vary according to the relevant program, seat category and admission policy.

NUMS MDCAT Syllabus 2026

The official NUMS 2026 test specifications should be treated as the primary source for syllabus preparation.

The examination is designed around the knowledge and skills expected from candidates entering medical education. NUMS describes the examination as a standardized paper-based MCQ test assessing knowledge, problem-solving, critical thinking and intuitive thinking abilities. It also includes a psychological component.

Biology

Students should thoroughly revise their FSc or equivalent Biology syllabus. Preparation should include important concepts, terminology, biological processes, diagrams, applications and conceptual MCQs.

Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.

Chemistry

Chemistry preparation should include conceptual understanding, calculations, chemical reactions and important principles of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Students should practice both conceptual and numerical MCQs.

Physics

Physics requires strong conceptual understanding as well as numerical practice.

Students should revise formulas, units, laws, principles and applications and regularly solve timed MCQs.

English

English preparation should focus on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence structure and the ability to understand questions accurately.

Psychological Component

Candidates should answer psychological questions naturally and consistently. Students should avoid trying to manipulate answers based on assumptions about what the examination expects.

NUMS MDCAT Test Pattern

NUMS MDCAT is a standardized, paper-based multiple-choice examination.

Students should therefore practice:

• Conceptual MCQs

• Application-based questions

• Biology MCQs

• Chemistry MCQs

• Physics MCQs

• English questions

• Psychological questions

• Full-length mock examinations

• Time management

• Fast and accurate question solving

The official NUMS syllabus and test specifications should always take priority over unofficial preparation material.

NUMS MDCAT 2026 Registration Process

NUMS MDCAT registration is conducted online through the official NUMS MDCAT portal.

The registration system requires candidates to:

1. Create an account

2. Provide personal information

3. Select a test country/centre

4. Pay the applicable fee

5. Upload required images

6. Submit the completed application

NUMS specifically warns applicants to provide correct information because incorrect information can result in cancellation of registration.

NUMS MDCAT 2026 Registration Fee

The official 2026 fee schedule states:

Local Centres

• Regular Fee: PKR 7,500

• Late Fee: PKR 8,500

KSA Centre

• Regular Fee: PKR 40,000

• Late Fee: PKR 50,000

The processing fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Additional platform charges may apply depending on the payment method.

Documents and Images Required

Candidates should prepare the required documents and images carefully.

The NUMS registration instructions require:

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Blue background photograph

• Clear front-side CNIC/B-Form/Juvenile Card/NICOP/Passport image

• Correct personal information

• Active email address

• Valid mobile number

NUMS does not accept unprofessional photographs or selfies for the registration profile image.

The supported image formats are JPG, JPEG and PNG, with the image size required to be less than 2 MB.

Selection of NUMS Test Centre

Candidates are required to select two unique cities/stations in order of preference for appearing in NUMS MDCAT.

However, NUMS reserves the right to shift a candidate to another location depending on available seating capacity.

Candidates should therefore carefully review their selected centres before submitting the application.

NUMS MDCAT Merit and Admission

NUMS admission merit is separate from simply passing the entrance test.

Candidates should review the current centralized admission advertisement for the exact merit formula applicable to their admission session.

For competitive MBBS and BDS admissions, a strong NUMS MDCAT score can be extremely important because seats are limited and candidates compete on merit.

Colleges Covered Under NUMS MDCAT

For the 2026–27 session, NUMS lists medical and dental colleges under its constituent, affiliated and Armed Forces-administered admission system.

Medical Institutions

• Army Medical College, Rawalpindi

• CMH Institute of Medical Sciences, Bahawalpur

• CMH Kharian Medical College

• CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry

• CMH Multan Institute of Medical Sciences

• HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences, Taxila

• Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences

• Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences

• Wah Medical College

• Bahria University College of Medicine

• Bahria University Medical and Dental College

• Fazaia Medical College

• Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College

• Foundation University Medical College

• NUST School of Health Sciences

Dental Institutions

• Dental Section Army Medical College

• CIMS Dental College, Multan

• CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry

• HITEC Dental College, Taxila

• Quetta College of Dentistry

• Bahria University Medical and Dental College

• Foundation University College of Dentistry

Army Medical College admission categories and other seat categories may have specific conditions, so candidates should consult the relevant official admission advertisement.

How to Prepare for NUMS MDCAT 2026

Preparation should begin with the official syllabus.

Students should avoid depending entirely on random MCQ books without first understanding the relevant concepts.

A strong preparation strategy includes:

1. Study the official syllabus.

2. Revise Biology thoroughly.

3. Review Chemistry concepts and numerical problems.

4. Practice Physics formulas and applications.

5. Improve English vocabulary and comprehension.

6. Practice topic-wise MCQs.

7. Attempt full-length mock tests.

8. Review incorrect answers.

9. Identify weak subjects.

10. Improve time management.

Students should maintain an error notebook and classify mistakes into knowledge gaps, careless mistakes and time-management problems.

What to Do Before NUMS Exam Day

Candidates should download their admit card or roll number slip when it becomes available.

The official NUMS instructions state that eligible candidates can download the admit card from the NUMS website using the required identification details.

Candidates should:

• Confirm examination centre

• Check reporting time

• Print the admit card

• Prepare original identification documents

• Prepare the required stationery

• Plan the route to the examination centre

• Reach the centre early

NUMS instructs candidates to reach their respective centres at least three hours before the commencement of the examination. Examination centres will be sealed or closed half an hour before the test begins.

What to Bring to NUMS Examination Centre

Candidates should bring:

• Printed admit card

• Original Matriculation certificate bearing photograph

• Original Juvenile Card, CNIC, Passport or NICOP, as applicable

• Clean clipboard

• Two blue or black ballpoint pens

According to NUMS instructions, pencils, markers, pointers and gel pens are not allowed.

Items Not Allowed in the Examination Hall

Candidates should not bring:

• Mobile phones

• Smart watches

• Electronic gadgets

• Unauthorized stationery

• Other prohibited devices

NUMS warns that possession or use of prohibited electronic devices may result in disciplinary action, cancellation of the paper and debarment from NUMS MDCAT.

Common NUMS MDCAT Preparation Mistakes

Students commonly make the following mistakes:

• Preparing without checking the official syllabus

• Memorizing without understanding concepts

• Spending too much time on one MCQ

• Ignoring Physics numerical practice

• Ignoring English

• Not taking full mock tests

• Not reviewing mistakes

• Starting preparation too late

• Failing to organize study time

• Ignoring official instructions

• Forgetting examination documents

• Arriving late at the centre

Avoiding these mistakes can make preparation more organized and effective.

Is NUMS MDCAT Difficult?

The difficulty of NUMS MDCAT depends on a student's academic preparation, conceptual understanding, MCQ-solving skills and time management.

Students who have strong FSc-level concepts and regularly practice MCQs are generally better prepared for the examination.

Candidates should treat NUMS MDCAT as a competitive medical admission examination rather than simply a pass-or-fail test.

Final Preparation Strategy

During the final preparation period, students should focus on revision rather than continuously starting new topics.

A practical final strategy includes:

1. Revise important concepts.

2. Solve topic-wise MCQs.

3. Attempt full-length mock tests.

4. Analyze incorrect answers.

5. Revise important formulas.

6. Review difficult Biology topics.

7. Practice Chemistry calculations.

8. Practice Physics numerical questions.

9. Improve English comprehension.

10. Practice time management.

11. Avoid unnecessary new material close to the examination.

12. Prepare all documents before exam day.

13. Sleep properly before the examination.

14. Arrive at the centre early.

15. Follow all official NUMS instructions.

Accuracy should remain the priority, followed by speed.

Important NUMS MDCAT 2026 Information

For the 2026–27 MBBS/BDS admission session, NUMS MDCAT is scheduled for Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 10:00 AM PST at local examination centres.

The official registration period was from 18 May to 22 June 2026, followed by late registration until 19 August 2026. Therefore, candidates who did not register within the announced period should not assume that a new registration window is available unless NUMS officially announces one.

Because admission dates, fees, eligibility requirements and procedures can change, candidates should always verify the latest announcement directly from NUMS before taking any admission-related decision.

Guide Information

Step-by-Step Process

1. Visit the official NUMS MDCAT website.

2. Read the latest NUMS MDCAT 2026 announcement.

3. Confirm that you meet the applicable eligibility conditions.

4. Check the official examination schedule.

5. Prepare your active email address.

6. Prepare a valid mobile number belonging to the candidate, parent or guardian.

7. Prepare your full name exactly according to your SSC/O-Level/10th Grade certificate.

8. Prepare your recent passport-size photograph.

9. Ensure the photograph has a blue background.

10. Avoid using a selfie or unprofessional photograph.

11. Prepare a clear front-side image of your CNIC, B-Form, Juvenile Card, NICOP or Passport.

12. Ensure the image is clear and readable.

13. Keep image files in JPG, JPEG or PNG format.

14. Ensure each uploaded image meets the required file-size limit.

15. Open the NUMS MDCAT registration portal.

16. Select the first-time signup option.

17. Enter your student name.

18. Enter your active email address.

19. Enter the correct mobile number.

20. Complete the CAPTCHA.

21. Submit the signup form.

22. Save the password displayed by the registration system.

23. Log in to your NUMS MDCAT account.

24. Select the country where you intend to take the examination.

25. Review the applicable examination fee.

26. Select the available payment method.

27. Pay the NUMS MDCAT registration fee.

28. Keep payment information or proof safely.

29. Upload the required profile photograph.

30. Upload the required identity-document image.

31. Save the uploaded images.

32. Return to the application home page.

33. Open the personal-information section.

34. Enter all required personal information.

35. Carefully check your name and identification details.

36. Enter the required educational information.

37. Select your preferred examination city or station.

38. Select two unique cities/stations in order of preference.

39. Understand that NUMS may shift candidates because of seating capacity.

40. Save the personal information and test-centre details.

41. Return to the application home page.

42. Open the application-status section.

43. Review every section of the application.

44. Correct any information that needs correction before final submission.

45. Confirm that payment has been completed.

46. Confirm that photographs and identity images have uploaded successfully.

47. Confirm the selected test centres.

48. Confirm your email address and mobile number.

49. Check the final application declaration.

50. Tick the required confirmation box.

51. Submit the final application.

52. Confirm that the system displays the application-submission confirmation.

53. Save or print available application information for your records.

54. Monitor the official NUMS website for admit-card instructions.

55. Download the admit card when it becomes available.

56. Print the admit card.

57. Check the examination centre and reporting instructions.

58. Prepare your original identification documents.

59. Prepare the original Matriculation certificate with photograph.

60. Prepare a clean clipboard.

61. Prepare two blue or black ballpoint pens.

62. Do not take mobile phones or smart watches into the examination hall.

63. Plan your journey to the centre in advance.

64. Reach the examination centre at least three hours before the test.

65. Follow the instructions of examination staff.

66. Present the required documents for verification.

67. Enter the examination hall according to the assigned instructions.

68. Follow the answer-sheet instructions carefully.

69. Manage your examination time carefully.

70. Attempt the MCQs calmly and accurately.

71. Do not use prohibited electronic devices.

72. Follow all examination rules.

73. Complete the examination according to the official instructions.

74. Monitor the official NUMS website for result and admission announcements.

75. Follow the relevant centralized MBBS/BDS admission process after the test.