MDCAT Curriculum 2025 - Mahida Academy-Building Futures

As prescribed by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), this outlines the official syllabus for the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT).

Unit	Topics/Subtopics	Learning outcomes
1- ACELLULAR LIFE	Viruses	1.1. Classify viruses on the basis of their structure/ number of strands/ diseases/ hosts, etc.
1- ACELLULAR LIFE	AIDS and HIV Infection	1.2. Identify symptoms, mode of transmission and cause of viral disease (AIDS)
2- BIOENERGETICS	Respiration	2.1. Outline the cellular respiration of proteins and fats and correlate these with that of glucose.
3- BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES	Biological molecules	3.1. Define and classify biological molecules.
	Biological Importance of Water	3.2. Discuss the importance of biological molecules
	Carbohydrates	3.3. Describe biologically important properties of water (polarity, hydrolysis, specific heat, water as solvent and reagent, density, cohesion/ionization)
	Proteins	3.4. Discuss carbohydrates: monosaccharides (glucose), oligosaccharides (cane sugar, sucrose, lactose), polysaccharides (starches, cellulose, glycogen)
	Lipids	3.5. Describe proteins: amino acids, structure of proteins
	Ribonucleic acid (RNA)	3.6. Describe lipids: phospholipids, triglycerides, alcohol and esters (acylglycerol)
	Conjugated molecules	3.7. Give an account of the structure and function of RNA
	Structure of DNA	3.8. Discuss conjugated molecules (glycol lipids, glycol proteins)
	Cell structure	3.9. Explain the double helical structure of DNA as proposed by Watson and Crick.
	Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells	3.10. Define gene is a sequence of nucleotides as part of DNA, which codes for the formation of a polypeptide.
4- CELL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION	Cytoplasmic Organelles	4.1. Compare the structure of a typical animal and plant cell
	Chromosomes	4.2. Compare and contrast the structure of prokaryotic cells with eukaryotic cells
	Cytoplasmic Organelles	4.3 Outline the structure and function of the following organelles: nucleus, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, a Mitochondria
	Chromosomes	4.4. Describe the structure, chemical composition and function of chromosomes.
5- COORDINATION & CONTROL/ NERVOUS & CHEMICAL COORDINATION	Receptors	5.1. Recognize receptors as transducers sensitive to various stimuli.
	Neurons	5.2. Explain the structure of a typical neuron (cell body, dendrites, axon and myelin sheath
		5.3. Define nerve impulse
		5.4. Classify reflexes
		5.5. Briefly explain the functions of the components of a reflex arc
	Brain	5.6. Discuss the main parts of the brain (e.g., components of the brain stem, midbrain, cerebellum, cerebrum)
		5.7. Describe the functions of each part.
6- ENZYMES	Enzymes	6.1. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of enzymes
	Mode of Enzyme Action	6.2. Explain the mechanism of action of enzymes
	Factors that Affect the Rate of Enzyme Reactions	6.3. Describe the effects of factors on enzyme action (temperature, pH and concentration)
	Inhibitors	6.4. Describe enzyme inhibitors
7- EVOLUTION	Concept of Evolution	7.1. Explain the origin of life according to the concept of evolution
	Lamarckism	7.2. Describe the theory of inheritance of acquired characters, as proposed by Lamarck.
	Darwinism	7.3. Explain the theory of natural selection as proposed by Darwin
8- REPRODUCTION	Human Reproductive System	8.1. Describe the functions of various parts of the male & female reproductive systems and the hormones that regulate those functions
	Menstrual cycle	8.2. Describe the menstrual cycle (female reproductive cycle), emphasizing the role of hormones
	Sexually transmitted diseases	8.3. List the common sexually transmitted diseases along with their causative agents and main symptoms
9- SUPPORT & MOVEMENT	Human skeleton	9.1. Describe cartilage, muscle and bone
		9.2. Explain the main characteristics of cartilage and bone, along with their functions.
	Muscles	9.3. Compare characteristics of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles and skeletal muscles
	Skeletal muscles	9.4. Explain the ultrastructure of skeletal muscles
	Music contraction	9.5. Describe in brief the process of skeletal muscle contraction
	Joints	9.6. Classify joints

Units	Topics/subtopics	Learning Objectives
1. INTRODUCTION OF FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF CHEMISTRY	Moles and Avogadro’s Numbers	1.1 Construct mole ratios from balanced equations for use as conversion factors in stoichiometric problems.
		1.2 Perform stoichiometric calculations with balanced equations using moles, representative particles, masses and volumes of the gases (at ST).
	Limiting and Excess Reactants	1.3 Explain the limiting reagent in the reaction
		1.4 Calculate the maximum number of products produced and the amount of any unreacted excess reagent
	Yield	1.5 Given information from which any two of the following may be determined, calculate the third: theoretical yield, actual yield, percentage yield.
		1.6 . Calculate the theoretical yield and the percent yield when given the balanced equation, the amount of reactants and the actual yield.
2. ATOMIC STRUCTURE	Discovery of Proton Planck’s Quantum Theory	2.1 Describe the discovery and properties of the proton (Positive rays)
		2.2 Define Photon as a unit of radiation energy
	Quantum Number	2.3 Describe the concept of orbitals.
		2.4 Distinguish among Principal energy level, energy sub-level and atomic orbitals
	Shapes of orbitals	2.5 Describe the general shapes of S, P and orbitals.
	Spectrum of Hydrogen	2.6 Describe Hydrogen Atom using the quantum theory
	Electronic Configuration	2.7 Use the Aufbau principle, the Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund’s Rule to write the Electronic Configuration of atoms.
		2.8 Write the electronic configuration of atom
3. GASES	Kinetic Molecular Theory	3.1 List the postulates of Kinetic Molecular Theory
		3.2 Describe the motion of particles of the gas according to kinetic theory.
	Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)	3.3 State the values of standard temperature and pressure (STP)
	Boyle’s Law	3.4 Describe the effect of change in pressure on the volume of gas.
	Charles’s Law	3.5 Describe the effect of change in temperature on the volume of gas.
	Absolute Zero	3.6 Explain the significance of the absolute zero, giving its value in degrees.
	Ideal Gas Equation	3.7 Derive the Ideal Gas equation using Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law and Avogadro’s Law.
	Unit of “R”	3.8 Explain the significance and different units of the ideal gas constant.
	Real and Ideal Gas	3.9 Distinguish between Real and Ideal Gases.
4. LIQUIDS	Properties of Liquids based on Kinetic Molecular Theory	4.1 Describe simple properties of liquids, e.g, diffusion, compression, expansion, motion of molecules, spaces between them, intermolecular forces and kinetic energy based on kinetic molecular theory.
	Evaporation, Boiling Point and Vapor Pressure	4.2 Explain physical properties of liquid, such as evaporation, vapor pressure, and boiling point
	Hydrogen Bonding	4.3 Describe the hydrogen bonding in H₂O, NH₃ and HF molecules.
	Anomalous behavior of Water	4.4 Anomalous behavior of water when its density shows a maximum at 4 degrees centigrade.
5. SOLIDS	Crystalline Solids	5.1 Describe a crystalline solid
	Factors Affecting the Shape of Ionic Crystals	5.2 Name three factors that affect the shape of the ionic crystals.
	Difference between Ionic and Molecular Crystals	5.3 Give a brief description of ionic and molecular crystals.
	Crystal lattice	5.4 Explain the structure of a crystal lattice
	Lattice Energy	5.5 Define Lattice Energy,
6. CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM	Chemical Equilibrium	6.1 Define chemical equilibrium in terms of a reversible reaction.
		6.2 Write both forward and reverse. Describe the macroscopic characteristics of each
	Le Chatelier’s principle	6.3 State Le Chatelier’s principle and be able to apply it to systems in equilibrium with changes in concentration, pressure, temperature, or the addition of a catalyst.
	Solubility Products	6.4 Define and explain solubility products.
	Common Ion Effect	6.5 Define and explain the common ion effect by giving suitable examples.
	Buffer Solution	6.6 Define buffer solution and explain types of buffers.
	Haber’s Process	6.7 Explain the synthesis of Ammonia by Haber’s process.
7. REACTION KINETICS	Chemical Kinetics	7.1 Define chemical kinetics.

Units	Topics/subtopics	Learning Outcomes
1. VECTORS AND EQUILIBRIUM	Addition of Vectors (Rectangular Components)	1.1 Determine the sum of vectors using perpendicular Components
	Product of Vectors (Scalar Product)	1.2 Describe the Scalar Product of two vectors in terms of the angle between them
	Product of Vectors (Vector Product)	1.3 Describe the Vector product of two vectors in terms of the angle between them.
2. FORCE AND MOTION	Displacement	2.1. Describe displacement.
	Velocity	2.2. Describe the average velocity of objects.
	Displacement-time Graph	2.3. Interpret the displacement-time graph of objects moving along the same straight line.
	Acceleration	2.4. Describe acceleration
	Uniform and variable acceleration	2.5. Distinguish between uniform and variable acceleration.
	Projectile motion	2.6. Explain that projectile motion is two-dimensional motion in a vertical plane.
	Ideal Projectile	2.7. Communicate the ideas of a projectile in the absence of air resistance.
	Projectile motion (Velocity)	2.8. Explain Horizontal component (V_H) of velocity is constant.
		2.9. Acceleration is in the vertical direction and is the same as that of a vertically free-falling object.
	Projectile motion: Maximum Height, Range, Time of flight, Maximum angle	2.10. Differentiate between the characteristics of horizontal motion and vertical motion
		2.11. Evaluate, using equations of uniformly accelerated motion for a given initial velocity of a frictionless projectile, the following issues: a. How much higher does it go? b. How far would it go along the level land? c. Where would it be after a given time? d. How long will it remain in the air? e. Determine the parameters for a projectile launched from ground height f. Launch angle that results in the maximum range g. The relation between the launch angles that result in the same range.
	Newton’s Laws of Motion	2.12. Apply Newton’s laws to explain the motion of objects in a variety of contexts.
	Newton’s Second Law and Linear Momentum	2.13. Describe Newton’s second law of motion as the rate of change of momentum.
	Newton’s third law of motion	2.14. Correlate Newton’s third law of motion and conservation of momentum.
	Collision	2.15. Solve different problems of elastic and inelastic collisions between two bodies in one dimension by using the law of conservation of momentum.
	Momentum and Explosive Forces	2.16. Describe how momentum is conservational situation.
	Perfectly elastic collision in one dimension	2.17. Identify that for a perfectly elastic collision, the relative speed of approach is equal to the relative speed of separation.
3- WORK AND ENERGY	Work	3.1. Describe the concept of work in terms of the product of force F and displacement d in the direction of force
	Energy	3.2. Describe energy
	Kinetic Energy	3.3. Explain kinetic energy
	Potential energy	3.4. Explain the difference between potential energy and gravitational potential energy.
	Absolute potential energy	3.5. Describe that the gravitational potential energy is measured from a reference level and can be positive or negative, to denote the orientation from the reference level.
	Power	3.6. Express power as the scalar product of force and velocity.
	Work energy theorem in a resistive medium	3.7. Explain that work done against friction is dissipated as heat in the environment.
	Implications of energy losses in practical devices and Efficiency	3.8. State the implications of energy losses in practical devices
4- ROTATIONAL AND CIRCULAR MOTION	Angular displacement	4.1. Define angular displacement, and express angular displacement in radians.
		4.2. Define revolution, degree and radian
	Angular Velocity	4.3. Describe the term angular velocity
	Relation between angular and linear quantities	4.4. Find out the relationship between the following: a. Relation between linear and angular variables b. Relation between linear and angular displacements c. Relation between linear and angular velocities d. Relation between linear and angular accelerations
5. FLUID DYNAMICS	Terminal Velocity	5.1. Describe the terminal velocity of an object.
	Fluid Drag	5.2. Define and explain the term fluid drag.
	Fluid Flow	5.3. Define the terms: Steady (Streamline or laminar) flow, Incompressible flow and non-viscous flow as applied to the motion of an ideal fluid.
		5.4. Explain that at sufficiently high velocities, the flow of viscous fluid undergoes a transition from laminar to turbulent conditions.
		5.5. Describe that the majority of practical examples of fluid flow and resistance to motion in fluid involve turbulent rather than laminar conditions
	Equation of Continuity	5.6. Describe the equation of continuity A_v = constant for the flow of an ideal and incompressible fluid and solve problems using it.
		5.7. Identify that the equation of continuity is the form of the principle of conservation of mass.
	Bernoulli’s Equation	5.8. Interpret and apply Bernoulli’s effect in Blood physics.

Competencies-Themes	Learning outcomes
1. READING AND THINKING SKILLS	1.1 Scan to answer short Questions 1.2 Deduce the meanings of the context 1.3 Analyze how a writer/poet uses language to appeal to the senses for figurative language
2. FORMAL AND LEXICAL ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE	2.1 Deduce the meaning of difficult words from the context using contextual clues. 2.2 Explore the use of Synonyms with varying shades of meaning used for irony, parody and satire. 2.3 Illustrate use of pronoun-antecedent agreement. 2.4 Illustrate use of tenses. 2.5 Illustrate the use of infinitives and infinitive phrases. 2.6 Illustrate the use of gerunds and gerund phrases. 2.7 Recognize the varying position of adverbs in sentences according to their kinds and importance. 2.8 Illustrate the use of prepositions of position, time, movements and directions. 2.9 Use in speech and writing, all the appropriate transitional devices. 2.10 Illustrate the use of all punctuation marks wherever applicable 2.11 Analyze sentences for different classes and phrases, evaluate how their position in sentences changes meaning and different communication functions. 2.12 Recognize and use sentences in versions for various purposes. 2.13 Use active and passive voice appropriately in speech and writing according to the required communicative function 2.14 Use direct and indirect speech appropriately in speech and writing according to the required communicative function.
3. WRITING SKILLS	3.1 Proofread and edit their peers and given text for the errors in usage and style. 3.2 Faulty sentence structure 3.3 Subject-verb agreement 3.4 Errors of functions and spellings

MDCAT 2025

BIOLOGY

1- ACELLULAR LIFE

Viruses

AIDS and HIV Infection

2- BIOENERGETICS

Respiration

3- BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES

Biological molecules

Biological Importance of Water

Carbohydrates

Proteins

Lipids

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Conjugated molecules

Structure of DNA

Cell structure

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells

4- CELL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

Cytoplasmic Organelles

Chromosomes

Cytoplasmic Organelles

Chromosomes

5- COORDINATION & CONTROL/ NERVOUS & CHEMICAL COORDINATION

Receptors

Neurons

Brain

6- ENZYMES

Enzymes

Mode of Enzyme Action

Factors that Affect the Rate of Enzyme Reactions

Inhibitors

7- EVOLUTION

Concept of Evolution

Lamarckism

Darwinism

8- REPRODUCTION

Human Reproductive System

Menstrual cycle

Sexually transmitted diseases

9- SUPPORT & MOVEMENT

Human skeleton

Muscles

Skeletal muscles

Music contraction

Joints

Arthritis

10- INHERITANCE

Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance

Gene linkage and crossing over

X-linked Recessive inheritance

11- CIRCULATION

Human Heart: Cardiac cycle and phases of Heartbeat

Blood Vessels

Lymphatic system

12- IMMUNITY

Specific Defense Mechanism

13- RESPIRATION

Human Respiratory System

14- DIGESTION

Human digestive system

15- HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis (kidney specifically)

Thermoregulation

Excretion

16- BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology and Health Care

CHEMISTRY

1. INTRODUCTION OF FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF CHEMISTRY

Moles and Avogadro’s Numbers

Limiting and Excess Reactants

Yield

2. ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Discovery of Proton Planck’s Quantum Theory

Quantum Number

Shapes of orbitals

Spectrum of Hydrogen

Electronic Configuration

3. GASES

Kinetic Molecular Theory