If you’re dreaming of becoming a doctor or dentist, you’ve probably heard of both NEET and MDCAT. But what exactly are these exams? And more importantly, how are they different from each other?
1. Full Form and Where They’re Held
The first and most obvious difference is the country.
NEET, which stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, is held in India for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses in all medical institutions across the country.
MDCAT, which stands for Medical and Dental College Admission Test, is held in Pakistan for admission to MBBS and BDS programs in all public and private medical colleges.
💡 Quick tip: If you plan to study in India, you’ll need NEET. If your goal is to study in Pakistan, you’ll need MDCAT.
2. Who Conducts the Exams?
NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in India.
MDCAT is conducted provincially in Pakistan by different universities. In Punjab, it is conducted by the University of Health Sciences Lahore (UHS). In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it is conducted by Khyber Medical University (KMU). In Balochistan, it is organized by Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences Quetta (BUMHS).
So while NEET has one national body, MDCAT is organized by different universities depending on your province.
3. Exam Format and Subjects
Both exams test your science knowledge, but there are some key differences.
NEET Format
It is a pen-and-paper based exam. There are 180 multiple-choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). The total duration is 3 hours.
MDCAT Format (2025)
Despite discussions about introducing computer-based testing (CBT) in recent years, the most recent updates confirm that MDCAT in 2025 is still primarily paper-based. It consists of 180 multiple-choice questions from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Logical Reasoning. The duration is about 3 hours.
📝 Notice: MDCAT includes English and Logical Reasoning, two areas NEET does not directly test.
4. Marking Scheme
Marking is where the biggest scoring difference comes in.
NEET awards 4 marks for each correct answer and deducts 1 mark for each incorrect answer. No marks are given for unanswered questions. The total score is 720 marks.
MDCAT awards 1 mark for each correct answer with no negative marking at all. The total score is 180 marks.
For many students, the lack of negative marking in MDCAT feels less stressful compared to NEET.
5. Syllabus and Focus
NEET follows India’s NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12, focusing mainly on Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology.
MDCAT covers problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge from natural, behavioral, and social sciences, along with English and Logical Reasoning.
This means MDCAT tests a wider range of skills, not just pure science concepts.
6. Eligibility and Where Scores Are Used
NEET is mandatory for admission to all medical and dental colleges in India, including top institutions like AIIMS and JIPMER.
MDCAT is required for admission to all medical and dental colleges in Pakistan and is also mandatory for medical cadet entry into the Pakistan Army.
If you’re curious to see whether your marks meet the eligibility for your dream medical college, try our MDCAT Aggregate Calculator and get instant results.
| Feature | NEET (India) | MDCAT (Pakistan) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test | Medical and Dental College Admission Test |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Provincial universities (UHS, KMU, BUMHS, etc.) |
| Mode | Pen-and-paper | Primarily paper-based |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Logical Reasoning |
| Questions | 180 MCQs | 180 MCQs |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Marking | +4 correct, −1 wrong | +1 correct, no negative marking |
| Total Marks | 720 | 180 |
| Syllabus Source | NCERT (India) | PMC-defined syllabus with broader skills |
| Required For | All Indian medical and dental colleges | All Pakistani medical and dental colleges and Army cadet selection |
Final Thoughts – Which One is Harder?
This is a question I hear a lot, but honestly, it depends on your background and preparation.
If you have studied under the Indian NCERT system, NEET might feel more straightforward.
If you are from Pakistan, MDCAT will align better with your school curriculum, but it demands strong English and reasoning skills in addition to science knowledge.
The important thing is to prepare according to your target exam’s format, syllabus, and marking style.
Dr. Hamza Qureshi is a KEMU graduate and the creator of this platform, dedicated to helping MDCAT students with accurate tools and reliable guidance.