NUMS Entry Test 2026: Syllabus, Date, Pattern & How to Prepare
Complete guide: NUMS 2026 syllabus, test date, registration, NUMS vs MDCAT comparison, exam pattern, merit cutoffs, and free AI prep on Parha.ai.
1. What is the NUMS Entry Test?
The NUMS entry test is the entrance examination conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) for admission to Army Medical College (AMC) Rawalpindi, CMH medical colleges, and other NUMS-affiliated institutions across Pakistan. It is separate from the PMC MDCAT — if you want seats in both systems, you must sit both exams.
2. NUMS vs MDCAT — Key Differences
| Feature |
NUMS |
PMC MDCAT |
| Conducted by | National University of Medical Sciences | Pakistan Medical Commission |
| Colleges covered | 10+ (AMC, CMH, Wah, HITEC…) | 100+ public & private |
| Biology MCQs | 70 | 81 |
| Chemistry MCQs | 45 | 54 |
| Physics MCQs | 45 | 44 |
| English MCQs | 20 | 20 |
| Total academic MCQs | 180 + 50 psychological (Part B) | 200 |
| Duration | 2h 45m (Part A) + 15m (Part B) | 3h 30m |
| Negative marking | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | Moderate — more recall | Harder — more reasoning |
3. NUMS Syllabus 2026
| Subject |
MCQs |
Key Topics |
| Biology | 70 | Cell biology, genetics, enzymes, bioenergetics, reproduction, classification |
| Chemistry | 45 | Organic reactions, stoichiometry, periodic trends, electrochemistry |
| Physics | 45 | Mechanics, waves, optics, electricity, modern physics |
| English | 20 | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension |
Official syllabus PDF: numspak.edu.pk
4. NUMS 2026 Test Date, Registration & Fees
2026 dates not yet announced. Historical reference (2025): Registration opened June 30 · Regular fee deadline July 21 · Late fee deadline July 28 · Test date September 14, 2025.
Fees (2025 reference — verify for 2026): Rs 6,000 regular / Rs 7,000 late (Pakistan); Rs 36,000 / 46,000 (international).
Register at: www.numspak.edu.pk
5. Exam Pattern, Total Marks & Passing Marks
Part A (academic): 180 MCQs · 1 mark each · 2h 45m · No negative marking.
Part B (psychological): 50 MCQs · 15 min · NOT counted in merit.
Total academic marks: 180. There is no fixed passing mark — merit is competitive.
6. Past Papers & Paper Structure
Past NUMS papers show: Biology is MCQ-heavy with emphasis on cell structure, genetics, and enzymes. Chemistry focuses on organic reactions and stoichiometry. Physics favours mechanics and electricity. Questions are more recall-based than MDCAT. Since there is no negative marking, attempt every question.
Practice with NUMS past papers on Parha.ai.
7. How to Prepare for NUMS on Parha.ai
Use Parha.ai free MCQ practice (20,000+ questions), full-length mock tests, and past papers. Focus: 40% time on Biology, 25% each on Chemistry and Physics, 10% on English. Revise past papers in the final 2 weeks.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use my MDCAT score for NUMS admission?
- No. NUMS requires its own entrance test. Scores are not interchangeable.
- Does the psychological test (Part B) affect merit?
- No. The 50 psychological MCQs in Part B are not counted toward your merit score.
- Is there negative marking in NUMS?
- No. Attempt every question — wrong answers do not deduct marks.
- What aggregate do I need for Army Medical College?
- Closing merit for AMC Rawalpindi in 2024 was approximately 94.26%. Aim for 93%+ aggregate.
- How is NUMS merit calculated?
- Typically 50% FSc/A-Level marks + 50% NUMS test score. Check the current NUMS prospectus for the exact formula.
- Is NUMS harder than MDCAT?
- NUMS is generally easier — more knowledge recall, fewer trick questions, no negative marking. Competition for top colleges is still high.