MDCAT Has No Negative Marking: How to Use That on Test Day

MDCAT 2026 had no negative marking: 180 MCQs in three hours. That changes how you should play the paper.

Rule 1: never leave a question blank

A blank scores zero. A guess has a chance. Before time runs out, every question should have an answer.

Rule 2: two passes, not one

  1. First pass: answer everything you know quickly. Mark the ones you need to think about.
  2. Second pass: return to marked questions with the time you saved.

Three hours for 180 MCQs is about one minute each. Spending three minutes on one hard question costs you two easy ones.

Rule 3: eliminate before you guess

Cross out the options you know are wrong. Choosing between two options is a much better bet than choosing between four.

Rule 4: practise the timing before test day

Take at least three full 180-MCQ papers under three-hour timing before MDCAT. Speed is a skill; it improves only with full-length practice.

The night before

  • Revise your error notebook, not new topics
  • Prepare your admit card and ID
  • Sleep properly

Sources: PMDC: no negative marking · Sindh MDCAT: three-hour paper

Preparing for MDCAT 2027? IBAGRADS early MDCAT batches are enrolling at six Karachi campuses and live online. Call 0340-0252222 or see our 2026 results.