MDCAT Prep · Quick Reference

Lesson 1 — Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme Cheat Sheet

MDCAT

In one line: MDCAT 2026 is 210 MCQs in 210 minutes, split 80/60/60/10 across Biology/Chemistry/Physics/English, marked +4/-1/0 — know the numbers before you study a single topic.

Key Ideas

1Paper size. 210 MCQs, single sitting, 210 minutes — exactly 1 minute per question on average.

2Subject split. Biology 80 (38%), Chemistry 60 (29%), Physics 60 (29%), English 10 (5%).

3Marking scheme. +4 for correct, −1 for wrong (negative marking), 0 for blank.

4Total & passing. 840 total marks. Official pass is 504 (60%); real medical college cutoffs run 588+ (70%).

5Attempt order. Biology → Chemistry → Physics → English (10 min cap). Never guess randomly.

Quick Numbers

210 questions · 210 minutes · 1 min/question avg

Correct answer

+4 marks

Wrong answer

−1 mark

Blank / unattempted

0 marks

Max possible score

840 (210 × 4)

Official pass mark

504 / 840 (60%)

Safe medical-college target

588+ / 840 (70%)