Entry
Tests.
Every Pakistani university requires at least one entry test. Here's what you need to know before applying.
Quick guide — which test do I need?
Conducted by
PMDC — Pakistan Medical & Dental Council
Frequency
Once a year — usually August
Format
180 MCQs · 3 hours · paper-based (OMR) · no negative marking
Eligibility
FSc Pre-Medical with 65% (or A-Levels with IBCC equivalence)
Subjects & weightage
Score benchmark
55% for MBBS, 50% for BDS
Universities that require it
Required for every MBBS/BDS program in Pakistan. Conducted by PMDC — the old PMC 200-MCQ pattern no longer applies. No MDCAT score = no medical admission.
Conducted by
National Testing Service (NTS) Pakistan
Frequency
12 times a year — once a month (NAT-I through NAT-XII)
Format
90 MCQs (Category 1) · 120 minutes · paper-based · no negative marking
Eligibility
Any intermediate student (FSc / A-Levels) — pick the category matching your group
Subjects & weightage
Score benchmark
Each university sets its own — 60+ is the common baseline, 65–70+ is competitive
Universities that require it
Accepted by 130+ HEC-recognized universities as a direct alternative to their own tests. Score is valid 2 years, you can retake it every month, and universities usually take your highest valid score. NUST, LUMS, FAST, IBA and PIEAS do NOT accept NAT — they run their own tests.
Conducted by
UET Lahore (on behalf of Punjab Engineering universities)
Frequency
Once a year — usually June / July
Format
100 MCQs · 2 hours · marks out of 400
Eligibility
FSc Pre-Engineering (or A-Levels with Math, Physics, Chemistry)
Subjects & weightage
Score benchmark
Merit-based — no fixed cutoff, depends on program
Universities that require it
NUST, GIKI, COMSATS, and FAST have their own separate entry tests and do NOT use ECAT.
Conducted by
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Frequency
Once a year — July / August
Format
100 MCQs · 2 hours · separate tests for Engg & Medical
Eligibility
FSc Pre-Engineering (Engg test) or FSc Pre-Medical (Medical test)
Subjects & weightage
Score benchmark
Merit-based — KPK domicile required for public seats
Universities that require it
KPK domicile is mandatory for open merit seats. Non-domicile students can apply but compete on a smaller quota.
Conducted by
College Board (USA) — internationally administered
Frequency
Multiple times a year internationally (Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar, May, Jun)
Format
2 sections · 3 hours · scored 400–1600
Eligibility
Open to all — no specific background required
Subjects & weightage
Score benchmark
LUMS expects ~1300+; Habib ~1200+
Universities that require it
SAT replaces university-specific tests at LUMS and Habib. You can register at collegeboard.org and take the test at centres in major Pakistani cities.
Conducted by
ACT, Inc. (USA) — internationally administered
Frequency
Multiple times a year internationally
Format
4 sections · scored 1–36 composite (STEM score reported separately)
Eligibility
Open to all — no specific background required
Subjects & weightage
Score benchmark
NUST: composite 25+ · IBA: composite 29 + English 25 (BBA) · LUMS: no minimum
Universities that require it
No Pakistani university requires the ACT outright — it is an alternative route to a university's own test, on a limited number of seats. NUST uses ACT code 2915; IBA scores stay valid 5 years. Check each university's policy before booking a sitting.
Heads up
NUST (NET), FAST, COMSATS, Air University, IBA, and several other universities run their own separate entry tests — not ECAT or ETEA. Always check the official university website for their specific test dates and registration links.