Written by: Saba Khaliq (RMU MBBS Student)
The aggregate for MDCAT is calculated by taking the average of your marks in the MDCAT exam, your FSc/equivalent exams, and your matric/equivalent exams. The marks from each exam are weighted differently, with the MDCAT exam carrying the most weight. The formula for calculating aggregate is as follows:
aggregate = (0.5 * MDCAT marks) + (0.4 * FSc/equivalent marks) + (0.1 * matric/equivalent marks)
For example, if you scored 130 in the MDCAT, 1050 in FSc/equivalent, and 1070 in matric/equivalent, your aggregate would be 91.285%.
It is important to note that the aggregate for MDCAT is only one factor that is considered when universities are making admission decisions. Other factors, such as your interview performance and your academic transcript, will also be considered.
The merit for years has been regulating the position of medical and dental colleges in Pakistan with the ones based in Lahore always securing the top positions.
For several years, the aggregate calculation has remained a set standard that inculcates the marks obtained in matriculation, intermediate (FSc) and MDCAT score
Students having appeared in O/A Levels examinations or overseas examination systems are equally eligible and will be treated according to the percentage they achieved in their respective exams at equivalent levels of matriculation and intermediate.
But a contender of MDCAT doesn’t remain confused for eligibility criteria or syllabus only. The thing that an aspirant for a medical degree carries along till its admission is his or her result.
In both the cases if the candidate wants to calculate his result once he left the examination hall or he is not satisfied with his result, the candidate is in utter confusion to calculate his satisfactory result from the answer sheet he has been provided as the duplicate of his original one.
A mind that has been constantly engaged in the preparation of an exclusively difficult test for a passage of time then engages itself into scrutiny about where it stands in its trial.
This is rather natural and understandable that what a candidate of MDCAT would be thinking of and what will he require at this time. With the keen acknowledgement of your situation that may become your need we are providing you the briefly and clearly explained methodology to calculate your marks.
This scheme, however, underwent certain significant alterations this year pertaining to the reservations of a valuable school of thought questioning the role of matriculation marks included in the MDCAT aggregate.
Keeping in view the public demand for years concerning the elimination of the score of matriculation and O Levels or equivalent from the aggregate, the marks distribution is only inclusive of FSc or equivalent marks and entry test or equivalent score.
At this position where you are going to calculate the marks that may decide your future, to avoid any mistake we will suggest you to read these steps with proper concentration.
PMDC Notice 2021
A new notice decided in a session held on 30th May 2019 by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, has amended the MBBS/BDS Regulations, 2018.
According to this notice, marks of matriculation or O Level will no longer bear an impact on the aggregate or the merit allocated for admissions in medical or dental institutes throughout the country.
The following strategy will be implemented in order to calculate the aggregate for MDCAT:
- Marks obtained in FSc (pre-medical)/ HSSC / equivalent – 50%
- Marks obtained in MDCAT 2019/ SAT II / equivalent – 50%
MDCAT Marks Segregation
The test shall consist of one paper containing 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)- four options with a single best answer- divided into following four sections:
1. Biology (80 MCQs)
Biology is the study of living things. There are many subdisciplines of biology, such as animal biology (animals), botany (plants), microbiology (microorganisms), and others. Biology is a very broad subject that can be divided into many different topics, ranging from the study of the structure of organisms to the interactions between ecosystems.
Living Things
There are three characteristics that all living things have in common: they are made up of cells, they need energy to survive, and they reproduce. Anything that lacks one or more of these characteristics is not a living thing. The most basic unit of life is a cell, which is the smallest unit that can perform all the processes necessary for life.
Living things also require energy to fuel all their reactions; plants use sunlight as an energy source while animals get their energy from plants or other animals. All living things must reproduce to ensure survival of their species; reproduction involves making new individuals that carry on the processes necessary for life.
Biology is the study of life. Total history of Biology includes the study of structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution of organisms. It varies from scientific to science. Biology is also a diverse field of study. Biology can be broken down into separate parts like physiology, biochemistry and ecology. All these are considered as sub-disciplines for Biology.
Biology deals with living organism and the way they interact with each other and their environment. This article provides a basic introduction to biology.
2. Chemistry (60 MCQs)
3. Physics (40 MCQs)
4. English (General for language proficiency) (20 MCQs)
Each question carries 01 mark. Total marks, therefore, are 200. The drop of marks from 1100 from the previous year to 200 this year could be a bane or boon for the applicants simultaneously.
The scheme carrying 1100 marks had a greater margin of wrong attempts and still passing with good marks. On the other hand, while the one carrying 200 marks this year has a lesser margin of wrong attempts, the reduced number of MCQs has made the test in itself a lot easier to attempt.
The fact that there will be no negative marking in the test has made it a lot easier and less stressful for the students. One incorrect attempt this year and you will only be given a zero and not rebuked for it through negative marking.
Steps to Calculate Aggregate for MDCAT
The following formula needs to be applied step by step with precision in order to calculate your chances of getting admission to a medical institute in Pakistan.
Step – I
Marks obtained in HSSC /Equivalent x 1100 x 0.50 = 50% of HSSC/Equivalent
Total marks of HSSC/Equivalent
Step – II
Marks obtained in Entrance Test / SAT II / MCAT x 1100 x 0.50 = 50% of Admission Test
Total marks of Entrance Test / SAT II / MCAT
Step – III
50% HSSC / Equivalent + 50% Admission Test = Aggregate Marks
Step – V
Aggregate Marks x 100 = Aggregate Percentage
1100
Example of Calculating Aggregate for MDCAT (HSSC Students)
Even if after all this elaborate procedure, you find it difficult to solve this perplexity, then you could have a view of this supposed applicant’s aggregate calculated according to MDCAT aggregate calculating scheme 2019:
- Marks obtained in HSSC/FSc = 980 / 1100
- Marks obtained in Entrance Test = 970 / 1100
Step – I
980 x 1100 x 0.50 = 490
1100
Step – II
970 x 1100 x 0.50 = 485
1100
Step – III
490 + 485 = 975
Step – V
975 x 100 = 88.63
1100
So, the aggregate according to this formula becomes 88.63%.
Example of Calculating Aggregate for MDCAT (Overseas / Dual Nationality Holders Seats
Equivalence of A-Level = 995/1100
SAT II Score = 2100/2400
Step – I
995/1100 x 1100 x 0.50 = 497.5
Step – II
2000/2400 x 1100 x0.50 = 458.3333
Step – III
497.5 + 458.3333 = 955.8333
Aggregate Marks = 955.8333
Step – IV
955.8333 / 1100 x 100 = 86.8939
Aggregate Percentage = 86.8939
When all the steps have been followed with accuracy, the final calculation in percentage will be rounded up to four decimal points.
Once the aggregate has been estimated, all the applicants can do is hope for merit that can accommodate them in some college or university in order to pursue their passion for medicine or dentistry.
Scoring high in intermediate and MDCAT is necessary but expecting the best and keeping a margin of another attempt in case things do not work out the first time is equally significant.
Good luck, all!
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