MDCAT Syllabus 2020 (Download Free PDF)

Does the plethora of websites and academies contesting over the official syllabus outline issued by the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, disturb you?

Are you unable to get hold onto the syllabus details for MDCAT so you may start your preparation for the test that matters the most to you right now? Worry not! We have the perfect solution to your queries and problems.

Below lies the entire course outline included in MDCAT by UHS. But first, let’s just have a brief overview of the division of marks for the test!

Sr. No.	Subject	No. of Questions
1	Biology	80
2	Chemistry	60
3	Physics	40
4	English	20
Total	200

Now, for the marking scheme!

Each MCQ containing 01 marks implies that every subject matters the same for the candidates and needs to be prepared with utmost dedication and hard work. A wrong or unattempted MCQ has no negative marking. Better, isn’t it?

Coming back to our topic, MDCAT Test Syllabus, let us break this down in the four subjects that the test assesses.

Note:

Time duration to attempt the paper shall be 150 minutes (2hrs 30 minutes)
Each question shall carry one mark with no negative marking

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MDCAT Syllabus PDF

BIOLOGY

The Cell
Biological Molecules
Chromosomes and DNA
Cell Division
Variety of Life
Bioenergetics
Gas Exchange
Transport in Plants
Transport in Human
Immunity
Homeostasis
Muscles and Movement
Communication
Reproduction
Genetics
Biotechnology
Evolution

1. The Cell

Light and Electron Microscope (Magnification and Resolution)
Structure of Typical Animal and Plant Cell
Fluid Mosaic Model of Cell Membrane
Transport of Material across the Cell Membrane: Active transport, Passive transport,
Endocytosis and Exocytosis
Eukaryotic Cell Structures: Endoplasmic reticulum (RER & SER), Ribosomes, Golgi
apparatus, Lysosomes, Vacuoles, Centrioles & Microtubules, Mitochondria, Chloroplast
and Nucleus (nuclear membrane, nucleolus and chromosomes)
Prokaryotic Cell & Eukaryotic cell

2. Biological Molecules

Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Polysaccharides (Starch, Glycogen
& Cellulose)
Lipids: Triglycerides, Phospholipids and their functions.
Proteins: Amino Acids & Peptide bond formation, Structures of Proteins (primary,
secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures) and Globular & Fibrous Proteins
Nucleic acids: DNA, RNA and Types of RNA
Water: Heat of vaporization, Specific Heat Capacity and Solvent Action
Enzyme: Definition, Characteristics of, Mechanism of Enzyme Action Enzymes (Lock &
key model and Induced fit model), Factors affecting the rate of Enzyme Action, Inhibitors

3. Chromosomes And DNA

Chromosome: Nucleosome, DNA, Histone Proteins, Chromatids, Centromere and
Telomeres Gene as a Basic Unit of Genetic Information
DNA Replication: Hypothesis of DNA Replication, Meselson & Stahl’s experiment and
Replication
Transcription
Genetic Code
Translation

4. Cell Division

Cell Cycle: Interphase (G1, S and G2 phases), Mitotic phase and Cytokinesis
Mitosis: Process of Mitosis, Significance of Mitosis
Meiosis: Process of Meiosis and Significance of Meiosis

5. Variety Of Life

Kingdoms: Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia
Viruses: Structure of Viruses
AIDS: Causative Agent, Modes of Transmission and Prevention & Control

6. Bioenergetics

Photosynthetic Pigments (Chlorophylls and Carotenoids)
Absorption and Action Spectra
Light-Dependent Reactions (cyclic and non-cyclic phosphorylation) and
Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin cycle).
Cellular Respiration: Glycolysis, Link reaction / Pyruvic Oxidation, Kreb’s Cycle (with
reference to the production of NADH, FADH and ATP) and ETC
Anaerobic Respiration and its Types (Alcoholic and Lactic Acid Fermentation).

7. Gas Exchange

Anatomy of the Human Respiratory System.
Transport of Respiratory Gases: O2 & CO2 and Role of Haemoglobin as Respiratory
Pigment.
Respiratory Disorders: Tuberculosis, Emphysema and Lung Cancer

8. Transport In Plants

Transport of Water and Minerals: Apoplast & Symplast Pathway and Cohesion,
Transpiration Pull / Tension & Adhesion
Transpiration, Factors affecting it and opening and closing of Stomata.
Translocation according to Pressure Flow Theory
Xerophytes

9. Transport In Human

Heart: Structure of heart, Cardiac Cycle, Control of Heart Beat, ECG and Blood Pressure
Blood Vessels: Arteries, Veins and Capillaries
Blood: Plasma and Blood Cells (RBCs, WBCs and platelets).
Lymphatic System

10. Immunity

Immune System and its Components
Types of Immunity
Vaccination

11. Homeostasis

Homeostasis
Thermoregulation in Mammals
Human Urinary System

12. Muscles And Movement

Structure and Function of Skeletal Muscle
Mechanism of Skeletal Muscle Contraction; Sarcomere, Ultrastructure of
Myofilaments, Sliding Filament, Control of Actin-Myosin Interaction and Use of Energy
for Muscle Contraction.

13. Communication

Nervous Coordination in Mammals
Neurons: Sensory, Intermediate / relay and motor neurons
Reflex arc / Reflex action
Nerve impulse
Synapse
Hormones: Definition & Types of Hormones, Hormones of Islets of Langerhans (Insulin
& Glucagon) and Role of ADH in Osmoregulation.
Plants Hormones: Auxins, Gibberellins and Abscisic Acid

14. Reproduction

Gametogenesis: Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis
Hormonal control of Human Menstrual Cycle (FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone)

15. Genetics

Basics of Genetics: Gene, Locus, Allele, Gene Pool, Phenotype, Genotype, Homozygous,
Heterozygous, Dominant Allele, Recessive Allele, Complete Dominance, Codominance,
Linkage, F1 & F2 Generations, Mutation and Multiple Allele.
Gene Linkage: Crossing over and Recombination Frequency / Cross Over Value
Continuous and Discontinuous Variations
Punnet square, Test cross and Monohybrid & Dihybrid Crosses
Gene Linkage and Sex Linkage in Human (Haemophilia and Colour Blindness)

16. Biotechnology

Recombinant DNA Technology / Genetic Engineering: Principles of Recombinant DNA
Technology and its Application, PCR & Gel Electrophoresis and DNA Analysis / Finger
Printing
Gene Therapy
Transgenic Organisms (Bacteria, Plants and Animals)

17. Evolution

Theory of natural selection
Hardy-Weinberg theorem and factors affecting gene/allele frequency

CHEMISTRY

Physical Chemistry
Fundamental Concepts
States of Matter
Atomic Structure
Chemical Bonding
Chemical Energetics
Electrochemistry
Chemical Equilibrium
Reaction Kinetics
Inorganic Chemistry
Periods
Groups
Transition Elements
Compounds of Nitrogen and Sulphur
Organic Chemistry
Fundamental Principles
Hydrocarbons
Alkyl Halides (Haloalkanes)
Alcohols and Phenols
Aldehydes and Ketones
Carboxylic Acids
Amino Acids
Macromolecules
Environmental Chemistry

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

1. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

Relative masses
Isotopes
Mole
Avogadro’s number
Empirical and Molecular formulae
Stoichiometric Calculations
Concentration units of solutions
1. Percentage composition
2. Molarity
3. Mole fraction

2. STATES OF MATTER

Gaseous state
General Gas Equation (PV=n RT).
Liquid state:
1. Evaporation
2. Vapor pressure
3. Boiling
4. Structure of ice
5. Lattice structure of a crystalline solid

3. ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Proton, Neutron and Electron
Distribution of Mass and charges
Deduce the number of protons, neutrons and electrons from given proton number
and nucleon number Shape of s, p and d- Orbitals
Electronic configuration
Ionization energy
Electron affinity

4. CHEMICAL BONDING

Ionic (Electrovalent) bond
Use the “dot and cross” model for:
1. Covalent bonding
2. Co-ordinate (dative covalent) bonding
Shapes and Bond Angles of molecules
Covalent Bonding.
Bond Energy, Bond length and bond Polarity (Electronegativity difference)
Intermolecular Forces (especially Hydrogen Bonding)
Interpret and Predict the effect of different types of bonding on physical properties of substances.

5. CHEMICAL ENERGETICS

Concept of Energy changes during Chemical reactions
Use the terms:
1. Enthalpy change of reaction
2. Bond energy
Numerical Magnitude of Lattice Energy
Hess’s law to construct simple energy cycles.

6. ELECTROCHEMISTRY

Redox processes
Oxidation numbers of Elements.
Balancing chemical equations by redox method Standard electrode (redox) Potential
Standard Hydrogen Electrode
Methods used to measure the standard Electrode potentials of metals
Standard Cell Potential
Electrode Potential.
Construct Redox equations
Advantages of Developing the H2/O2 fuel cell

7. CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

Rates of forward and reverse Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium
Le- Chatelier’s Principle.
Deduce expression for Equilibrium constant
Calculate the values of Equilibrium constants
Calculate the equilibrium quantities
Conditions used in Haber process.
Qualitatively the differences in behavior of strong/weak acids and bases
Terms: pH, Ka, pKa, Kb, pKb, Kw and Ksp.
[H+ (aq)], [OH- (aq)], pH and pOH values for strong and weak acids and bases.

8. REACTION KINETICS/ CHEMICAL KINETICS

Rate of Reaction, Activation Energy, Catalysis, Rate Equation, Order of Reaction, Rate
Constant
Collisions
Enzymes as Biological Catalysts
Construct and use rate equations with special emphasis on
1. Zero order reaction
2. 1st order reaction
3. 2nd order reaction
Half-life of a first-order Reaction Calculate the order of reaction
Calculate the rate constant
Name a Suitable method for studying the rate of a Reaction

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

PERIODS

Variation in the Physical properties of Elements Belonging to period 2 and period 3:

Atomic Radius
Ionic Radius
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Ionization Energy
Electronegativity
Electron Affinity
Electrical Conductivity
Oxidation States
Hydration Energy

Periodic Relationship in Binary compounds:

Halides (especially chlorides)
Oxides

GROUPS:

The variation in the properties of group II and VII Elements:

Reactions of group II elements.
Thermal decomposition and solubility of compounds of group II elements
Properties of Halogens and their compounds
Reaction of Chlorine
Comparison of Oxidizing power of halogens
Uses of Halogens and compounds of Halogens

TRANSITION ELEMENTS:

Chemistry of Transition Elements of 3d series:

Electronic Configuration
Variable Oxidation states
Uses as a Catalyst
Formation of Complexes
Colour of Transition Metal Complexes
Geometry and isomerism of complex ions with coordination numbers 4 and 6.

COMPOUNDS OF NITROGEN AND SULPHUR

Nitrogenous fertilizers
Presence of Sulphur Dioxide in the atmosphere
Manufacturing of Sulphuric Acid
Sulphuric acid as Dehydrating agent and Oxidizing agent

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

1. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

The Organic compounds
Alkanes and Alkenes of lower masses
Nucleophiles, electrophiles and free radicals
Isomerism
Functional group and Nomenclature of organic compounds

2. HYDROCARBON

Chemistry of Alkanes with emphasis on:

Combustion.
The Mechanism of free radical Substitution reaction.

Chemistry of Alkenes with emphasis on:

Preparation of Alkenes:
Reaction of Alkenes:

Chemistry of Benzene:

Benzene.
Electrophilic substitution reactions and the mechanism
Hydrogenation of Benzene ring.
Side chain Oxidation of Methyl Benzene (Toluene) and Ethyl Benzene.
Benzene ring by 2,4 Directing and 3,5 directing groups

3. ALKYL HALIDES (HALOGENOALKANES)

Importance of Halogenoalkanes.
Reaction of Alkyl Halides:
Nucleophilic substitution reactions and mechanisms

4. ALCOHOLS AND PHENOLS:

Alcohols with reference to:

Alcohols: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary.
Preparation of Ethanol
Reactions of Alcohols

Phenols:

Reactions of Phenol
Acidity of Water, ethanol and phenol

5. ALDEHYDES AND KETONES:

Structure of Aldehydes and Ketones.
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones.
Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones:
Nucleophilic addition reaction mechanism

6. CARBOXYLIC ACID:

Physical properties of carboxylic acids.
Reactions of carboxylic acids
Relative Acidic strength

7. AMINO ACIDS:

General Structure of -Amino Acids found in Proteins
Amino Acids on the basis of Nature of R-group
Zwitter Ion
Acid base properties of Amino Acids
Peptide bond formation

8. MACROMOLECULES:

Addition polymerization
Condensation polymerization
Structure of Proteins
Structure and function of Nucleic acid (DNA)

9. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY:

Air Pollutants
Chemistry and causes of Acid Rain
Ozone and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

PHYSICS

Measurement
Motion and Force
Work, Energy and Power
Circular Motion
Oscillation
Waves
Light
Heat & Thermodynamics
Electrostatics
Current Electricity
Electromagnetism
Electromagnetic Induction
Deformation of Solids
Electronics
Modern Physics
Nuclear Physics

1. MEASUREMENT

Physical quantities, numerical magnitude and a proper unit.

International System of Units, SI base units of physical quantities, and their derived units.

Prefixes and symbols to indicate decimal, submultiples or multiples of both base and derived units:

Errors and uncertainties

Systematic error and random error.
Fractional uncertainty and percentage uncertainty.
Assessment of total uncertainty in the final results (Understanding of total assessment

about addition and subtraction, multiplication and division & power factor).

2. MOTION AND FORCE

Displacement, Distance, Speed, Velocity and Acceleration.
Velocity–Time Graph.
Equations of motion.
Newton’s Laws of Motion.
Momentum and law of conservation of momentum.
Force and rate of change of momentum.
Impulse and I = F t = mvf  mvi
Elastic and in-elastic collisions
Projectile Motion and its applications.
Moment of force or torque and use of torque
Equilibrium.

3. WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Work in terms of the product of a force and displacement in the direction of the force.
Kinetic energy K.E =1/2 mv2
Potential energy P.E = mgh
Inter-conversion of kinetic energy and potential energy in gravitational field.
Power in terms of work done per unit time and use power as product of force and
velocity P = Wt and P = Fv

4. CIRCULAR MOTION

Angular motion, angular displacement & angular velocity
Centripetal Force and centripetal acceleration
o F = mr2, F =2mvr
and ac = r
2 and ac =2vr
Geostationary orbits.
Radian

5. OSCILLATIONS

Simple harmonic motion
Amplitude, Frequency, Angular Frequency, Phase Difference. Express the time period in
terms of both frequency and angular frequency.
Equations x=xosinωt, v = v0cosωt,
Motion of simple pendulum and relation.
Kinetic energy and potential energy during Simple harmonic motion.
Free, Forced and Damped Oscillations
Resonance

6. WAVES

Progressive waves
Transverse and longitudinal waves
Principle of superposition
Stationary waves and wavelength of sound waves in air columns and stretched strings
Doppler’s Effect
Electromagnetic Spectrum

7. LIGHT

Interference of light waves, constructive and destructive interference.
Young’s Double Slit experiment, fringe spacing, dark and bright fringes.
Diffraction (basic principle)
Diffraction grating

8. HEAT & THERMODYNAMICS

Basic postulates of the kinetic theory of gases
Pressure exerted by gas and derive the relation
2NmPV v3
Equation of state for an ideal gas as PV = nRT
2NmPV v3
and PV = NkT and prove that K.E T for a single molecule
Internal Energy.
Specific Heat capacity

9. ELECTROSTATICS

Coulomb’s Law
Electric field strength.VEd
to calculate the field strength.
Gravitational force and electric force.
Electric potential
The capacitance of a capacitor
Energy stored in the capacitor

10. CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Current
Ohm’s Law
Series and parallel Combination of resistors
Resistance and resistivity
Potential difference and e.m.f
Power dissipation in resistors.
Kirchhoff’s First Law as conservation of charge.
Kirchhoff’s Second Law as conservation of energy.
Potentiometer

11. ELECTROMAGNETISM

Magnetic field
Force on current carrying conductor in uniform magnetic field
Force on a moving charge in magnetic field
Motion of charge particle in uniform electric and magnetic field.
e/m for an electron.

12. ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION

Magnetic flux
Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s Law.
Induced e.m.f and factors
Alternating current and use V = Vo sint.
Transformer and uses of S S P, P P S, N V I, N V I and practical transformer.
Period, frequency, peak value and root mean square value of an alternating current or voltage.

13. DEFORMATION OF SOLIDS

Stress, strain and Young’s Modulus
Tensile stress and strain
Hook’s Law
Elastic and plastic deformation of a material
Strain energy
Band Theory, valence band, conduction band and forbidden band

14. ELECTRONICS

Half and Full wave rectification
Single diode for half wave rectification of an alternating current
Four diodes for full wave rectification of an alternating current
Operational amplifier and its characteristics

15. MODERN PHYSICS

Energy of photon E = hf
Photoelectric Effect, Threshold Frequency and Work Function Energy.
Maximum photoelectric energy is independent of intensity whereas photoelectric
current is proportional to the intensity
Einstein’s Photoelectric equation hf = 12 mv2max
de Broglie wavelength and use
Discrete energy levels of the hydrogen atom and spectral lines.
Relation hf = (E2E1) Production of X-rays and features of X-rays tube.

16. NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Nucleus, nucleon number and charge number.
Radioactivity and emission of radiation.
Activity, Decay constant and relation Activity = N.
Half-life of radioactive substance and relation 1/ 2 0.693
Nuclear transmutation and conservation of mass, energy, momentum and charge
during nuclear changes.
Mass-defect, binding energy and relation E = mc2
Nuclear fission and fusion.
Hadrons, Leptons and Quarks.

ENGLISH

Aim

The aim of the English section of MDCAT is to measure the applicants’ skills in English language and to evaluate how prepared they are for undertaking graduate studies in medicine in English. The test applies a common standard to everyone to be able to evaluate the preparation of the applicants from different sectors, regions and socio-economic backgrounds. The benchmarks for the test have been developed in the light of the curriculum used in HSSC and CIE. Since the students who take the MDCAT come from a wide range of educational contexts, the test comprises items that may be applied to a broadband of language competencies that are not exclusive to one particular type of curriculum.

Objectives

To ensure complete alignment between the English curriculum used in various sectors at the HSSC and CIE level and the test items
To create a balance of items from different benchmarks of the English curriculum outlined for MDCAT
To make sure that difficult and ambiguous items beyond the scope of high school education are not included
To design the test specifications
To design, select, and arrange test task items