PAKISTAN MEDICAL COMMISSION

Frequently Asked Questions

 Frequently Asked Questions- MDCAT

• What is the MDCAT?

o MDCAT will be a computerized test taken at designated centers across
Pakistan and abroad. To attain admission in private or public medical and
dental colleges in Pakistan, an aspirant is required to appear in the
MDCAT and pass with the minimum passing criteria. The syllabus is
available at pmc.gov.pk

• What is the MDCAT subject breakdown and weightage?

o Number of Questions: 210
§ Biology: 68
§ Chemistry: 56
§ Physics: 56
§ English: 20
§ Logical Reasoning: 10
o Examination Duration: 3.5 hours
o MDCAT Passing Criteria: 65%
o *The result of your MDCAT exam will be available to you 30 minutes after
the conclusion of the examination

• What is the eligibility criteria for the MDCAT?

o Any person, being a Pakistani or an overseas Pakistani or foreign national
above the age of 16, shall be eligible to register for and attempt the
MDCAT exam
o A Higher Secondary School Certificate or equivalent 12th grade
qualification is not required for MDCAT registration

• How do you apply for the MDCAT?

o Log onto mdcat.pmc.gov.pk
o Make an account
o Provide the necessary information and credentials
o MDCAT Fees
o Rs. 6000 fee for local applicant
§ Payment can be made via credit/debit card

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 § Payment can also be made via MCB after download bank challan
(Paid challans do not need to be uploaded onto the portal)
o 99 USD for applicants in foreign countries
§ Payment can be made via credit/debit card
o Once payment is made, an applicant will not be able to edit their
information
o Wait for the confirmation notification on the portal
o Choose your MDCAT examination time slot on the portal between 20th
July to 5th August 2021
o There will be 2 exam slots per day to choose from between 30th August -
30th September 2021
o Deadline for MDCAT registration is 15th July 2021
o To help acquaint you with the newer computer-based examination
methodology, you will be provided 1 practice exam upon registration

• What is the duration of the MDCAT?

o 3.5 hours

• What is the passing criteria of the MDCAT?

o 65%

• Where are the testing locations of the MDCAT?

ICT Punjab Sindh KPK Balochistan AJ&K GB

Islamabad Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta Muzaffar Gilgit

Multan, Sukkur, Swat, abad,
Faisalabad, Nawabshah, Abbottabad, Mirpur
Gujranwala, D I Khan,
Bahawalpur
, Sargodha,
D G Khan,
Sialkot

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 • How do I pay for the MDCAT?
o Rs. 6000 fee for local applicant
§ Payment can be made via credit/debit card
§ Payment can also be made via MCB after download bank challan
(Paid challans do not need to be uploaded onto the portal)
o 99 USD for applicants in foreign countries
§ Payment can be made via credit/debit card

• How will the MDCAT be conducted?

o The MDCAT will be a fully computer based examination

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 Frequently Asked Questions- NLE

• What is the NLE?

o The NLE Step 1 will be a computerized test taken at designated centers
across Pakistan and various international locations (subject to
registrations) to assess the skill of clinicians before granting them full
licenses to practice. The syllabus is available online at pmc.gov.pk

• What is the NLE subject breakdown and weightage?

o Theory component
§ This will consist of MCQs targeting higher cognition and will check a
candidate’s ability to apply knowledge. No MCQs will target recall.
The theory component will have 200 MCQs in which 70% will be from
clinical disciplines and 30% from basic sciences
§ Validity of MCQ exam will be 5 years from the date of passing
§ Passing marks will be 70%
§ Basic Science Disciplines included in the exam:
• Applied Anatomy
• Applied Physiology
• Applied Biochemistry
• Applied Pathology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Community Medicine
• Forensic Medicine
§ Clinical Disciplines included in the exam:
• Surgery and allied
• Medicine and allied
• Gynecology & Obstetrics
• Pediatrics
• Ophthalmology
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

o Clinical Skills Exam (CSE)

§ This will assess essential clinical skills for a practicing general medical
and dental practitioner. The format of this exam will be similar to that
of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

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 § Upon passing their theory component, a candidate will have to pass
the Clinical exam in 3 attempts during these 5 years, failing which
they will have to re-sit the whole exam
§ Passing marks will be 70%
§ The duration of this exam will be 3 hours and 20 minutes and will
consist of 20 stations, with each CSE station assigned 8 minutes with
2 minutes for the changeover:
• 7 Surgery and Allied Stations
• 7 Medicine and Allied Stations
• 2 Gynae and OBS Stations
• 2 Pediatrics Stations
• 1 Eye Station
• 1 ENT Station

• What is the eligibility criteria for the NLE?

o Any foreign or local graduate, having followed their respective pathway
to licensing, can give the NLE.

• How do you apply for the NLE?

o Log onto nle.pmc.gov.pk
o Sign-up for an account
o Fill in the form with the necessary personal information
o NLE Step 1 Fees
§ Rs. 12000 fee for local applicant
• Payment can be made via credit/debit card
• Payment can also be made via MCB after download bank
challan (Paid challans do not need to be uploaded onto
the PMC Online website)
§ 175 USD for applicants in foreign countries
• Payment can be made via credit/debit card
o An applicant will not be able to edit their information after making their
payment
o Wait for the confirmation notification on the PMC Online website
o Applicants will be able to choose their NLE Step 1 time slot on the PMC
Online website
o There will be 2 exam slots per day to choose from between 20th August -
27th August 2021

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 o Applicants will be provided 1 practice examination upon registration to
help acquaint you with the new computer-based examination
methodology

• What is the duration of the NLE?

o 3.5 hours

• What is the passing criteria of the NLE?

o 70%

• Where are the testing locations of the NLE?

o The details of the testing locations are available once you complete the
registration for NLE

• How do I pay for the NLE?

o You can pay for the examination on the portal. 12000pkr for locals or 175
USD for foreign applicants

• How will the NLE be conducted?

o The NLE will be a fully computer based examination

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 Frequently Asked Questions- Education & Evaluation

• What is the assessment criterion for foreign postgraduate medical

institutes?
o As a regulator, PMC does not ‘assess’ foreign medical and dental
institutions- undergraduate or postgraduate. PMC has set criteria for
recognizing foreign undergraduate and postgraduate institutions. These
criteria are explained

• What is the inspection criterion for domestic undergraduate medical

& dental institutes?
o PMC is in the process of finalizing standards and inspection criteria for
Undergraduate medical and dental institutions within Pakistan. These will
be uploaded as soon as they are finalized.

• What are the inspection criteria for domestic postgraduate medical

and dental institutes?
o PMC is in the process of finalizing standards and inspection criteria for
postgraduate medical and dental institutions within Pakistan. These will be
uploaded as soon as they are finalized.

• What are PMC recognized PG qualifications?

POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATION
o Postgraduate Qualification shall mean a qualification acquired after
certification of completion of a structured training program under direct
supervision of a designated supervisor encompassing all competencies
required by a licensed doctor to qualify for inclusion in the Specialist Register.

o Pakistani Postgraduate Qualification (u/s 22 of the PMC Act, 2020)

§ A Postgraduate Qualification shall be recognized by the Council
subject to fulfillment of the following conditions;
§ Granted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan;
and
§ Training undertaken at a Medical Institution recognized by the
Council for training or grant of a Post Graduate program under
section 23(2) of the PMC Act, 2020.
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 o Foreign Postgraduate Qualification (u/s 24 of the PMC Act, 2020)
§ A Foreign Postgraduate Qualification shall be recognized by the
Council subject to fulfillment of the following conditions;
§ Granted by a Foreign Postgraduate Institution recognized as the
Postgraduate Institution by the regulatory authority in the
relevant country for grant of Post Graduate Qualifications and
recognized by the Council under section 25 of the PMC Act,
2020;
§ Obtained after formal, objective assessment with a certification
after either a period of training or acquiring of minimum
competencies equivalent to the comparable qualification
granted by CPSP.

• What is an additional postgraduate qualification?

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION

o Additional Qualification shall mean a qualification acquired in addition to a

Postgraduate Qualification after completion of a structured training program
under direct supervision to develop specific competencies after completion
of a Post Graduate qualification which qualifies a licensed doctor to
represent as a specialist in the specified area of specialization in addition to
the subject of the Postgraduate Qualification.

An Additional Qualification shall not grant a right to be included in the

Specialist Register if a Post Graduate or Alternative Qualification has not been
obtained by the Licensee.

An Additional Qualification may be considered by an institution for

credentialing of a general practitioner who does not possess a Post Graduate
Qualification or Alternative Qualification subject to such licensed doctor at
no time being represented as a Specialist.

o Pakistani Additional Qualification (u/s 22 of the PMC Act, 2020)

§ An Additional Qualification shall be recognized by the Council
subject to fulfillment of the following conditions;
§ Granted by a Pakistani Medical Institution recognized by the
Council for grant of Additional Qualifications under Section 23(2)
of the PMC Act, 2020;
§ In a subject which is part of a broader specialty in which the
Council has recognized a Pakistani or Foreign Postgraduate
Qualification.
o Foreign Additional Qualification (u/s 24 of the PMC Act, 2020)
§ A Foreign Additional Qualification shall be recognized by the
Council subject to fulfillment of the following conditions;

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 § Granted by a Foreign Medical Institution recognized by the
regulatory authority in the relevant country for grant of an
Additional Qualification and recognized by the Council under
section 25 of the PMC Act, 2020;
§ In a subject which is part of a broader specialty in which the
Council has recognized a Pakistani or Foreign Postgraduate
Qualification.

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 • What is an alternative postgraduate qualification?
ALTERNATIVE QUALIFICATION
o Alternative Qualification shall mean a qualification recognized by the Council
as an Alternative to a Postgraduate Qualification recognized by the Council
having been acquired after certification of completion of a structured
training program under direct supervision of a designated supervisor
encompassing all competencies required by a licensed doctor to qualify for
inclusion in the Specialist Register.
o Pakistani Alternative Qualification (u/s 22 of the PMC Act, 2020)
§ An Alternative Qualification shall be recognized by the Council
subject to fulfillment of the following conditions;
§ Granted by a Pakistani Medical Institution recognized by the
Council for grant of Alternative Qualifications under section 23
of the PMC Act, 2020;
§ Training undertaken at a Medical Institution recognized by the
Council for training or grant of a Post Graduate program under
section 23(2) of the PMC Act, 2020;
§ Obtained after formal, objective assessment with a certification
after either a period of training or acquiring of minimum
competencies equivalent to the comparable qualification
granted by CPSP;

o Foreign Alternative Qualification (u/s 24 of the PMC Act, 2020)

§ An Alternative Foreign Qualification shall be recognized by the
Council subject to fulfillment of the following conditions;
§ Granted by a Foreign Medical Institution recognized by the as
an institution for grant of post graduate or alterative
qualifications by the regulatory authority in the relevant country
and recognized by the Council under Section 25 of the PMC
Act, 2020;
§ Obtained after formal, objective assessment with a certification
after either a period of training or acquiring of minimum
competencies equivalent to the comparable qualification
granted by CPSP;

• What are the specialties/disciplines being registered by PMC?

o This list is being updated. It will be uploaded soon.

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 • What additional PG durations and specialties are exempted from
giving NLE for full license by PMC?
o This list is being updated. It will be uploaded soon.

• What is the criterion for categorization of countries for licensing

pathways?
o Countries have been categorized in two lists for purposes of providing
robust licensing pathways; List 1 representing countries with a stringent
internationally recognized licensing regulatory framework. All other
countries are placed in List 2.

• What is the criterion for categorization of foreign colleges for

licensing purposes?
o Category A represents colleges and qualifications offered by these
colleges that have been assessed and accredited at two levels, i.e. by
internationally recognized accreditation agencies and by recognized
national regulators.
o Category B represents colleges and qualifications that are
recognized by either national regulators or by one of the
internationally recognized accreditation agencies; hence, these
colleges possess only a single tier verification, pursuant to inspection
of these colleges.
o Category C represents colleges and qualifications that are not
verifiable by an official and authentic national or international
agency.
o A number of institutions in this category are new and is yet to be
accredited in their own countries. Once these get accredited they
will be shifted to B category.

• What is the policy for experience certificates?

o PMC does not provide experience certificates. These certificates should
now be issued by the concerned universities based on rules given by the
HEC

• What is the policy for faculty promotions?

o The HEC will upload, on its own website, the policy for faculty promotions.
Faculty promotions do not come under the purview of the PMC.

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 • What is the policy for journals/publications?
o These policies are in the process of finalization and will be uploaded soon
on PMC website.

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 Frequently Asked Questions- Biometric Verification

• Who needs to do PMC’s Biometric Verification?

o All licensed clinical practitioners are required to undertake NADRA
Biometric Verification. Effective immediately, all Provisional and Full
License holders would be required to do biometric verification upon grant
of their licenses.
• Where will these biometric verifications be conducted?
o Biometric verification can be done at:
§ Designated centers
§ Special Kiosks at Hospitals
§ Ordering Home Service at an additional fee
• How do existing clinicians register for the biometric verifications?
o All existing doctors to register their Digital ID on
https://www.pmc.gov.pk/Online/DoctorOnline. Fee for biometric
verification will be paid at time of verification.

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 Frequently Asked Questions- EPIC

• What is EPIC Verification?

o EPIC Verification is for those who are registered in PMC and now are
willing to work abroad.

• How to apply for EPIC Verification?

o EPIC will send verification to PMC along with an email to applicant to
contact with PMC for Fee submission. PMC will reply back to EPIC after
confirmation of Fee.

• Mode of fee payment for EPIC Verification?

o Online submission of EPIC fee will be available soon but as up to now,
applicant has to submit fee manually in shape of bank draft.

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 Frequently Asked Questions- Licensing

§ If a fresh graduate who has passed his exams but awaiting for
degree, is eligible for provisional license or not?
o Yes please, if they are graduate from Pakistan and have DMC (Detailed
Marks Sheets) & Provisional letter from University.

• If a license is returned back to PMC due to any reason, how can

applicants again apply for their already printed license which were
returned to PMC?
o Such applicants to send an email for re-dispatching the certificate again
at [email protected]

• What to do for those students who have completed their house job
without provisional license.
o They should apply for provisional license first & after obtaining provisional
license, they may apply for full license.

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 Frequently Asked Questions- General Queries

• Please confirm if PMC has any regional or site office in Pakistan?

o PMC has four regional offices at Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi & Quetta.

• Medical Tribunal is working inside PMC Office? If not then confirm

the address.
Asad Khan PS / Registrar Medical Tribunal
Room No. 113, 1st Floor,
Federal Court Complex,
G-11 / 1, Islamabad
051-9320130

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