How MDCAT, ECAT and NET Aggregates Are Calculated

What an aggregate is

An aggregate turns three results into one number out of 100. Each part — Matric, FSc and the entry test — is first converted to a percentage of its total, then multiplied by its weight. The three weighted parts are added together. Universities rank applicants by this number for each programme and quota.

MDCAT aggregate for MBBS and BDS

The formula widely used for public medical and dental colleges gives 10% weight to Matric, 40% to FSc and 50% to MDCAT, with MDCAT marked out of 180.

• Matric part = Matric marks ÷ Matric total × 10
• FSc part = FSc marks ÷ FSc total × 40
• MDCAT part = MDCAT score ÷ 180 × 50

Example: Matric 1050 out of 1200 gives 8.75. FSc 1000 out of 1200 gives 33.33. MDCAT 150 out of 180 gives 41.67. The aggregate is 83.75%.

ECAT aggregate for UET

The commonly published UET formula gives 17% to Matric, 50% to FSc and 33% to ECAT, with ECAT marked out of 400.

• Matric part = Matric marks ÷ total × 17
• FSc part = FSc marks ÷ total × 50
• ECAT part = ECAT score ÷ 400 × 33

Example: Matric 1000/1200 gives 14.17, FSc 950/1200 gives 39.58 and ECAT 220/400 gives 18.15, for an aggregate of 71.9%.

NET aggregate for NUST

NUST’s commonly published formula gives 75% weight to its own NET test (out of 200), 15% to FSc and 10% to Matric. Because the test carries so much weight, your NET score decides most of your merit.

• Matric part = Matric marks ÷ total × 10
• FSc part = FSc marks ÷ total × 15
• NET part = NET score ÷ 200 × 75

Where an extra mark helps most

Under the MDCAT formula, each MDCAT mark is worth about 0.28% of the aggregate, while each FSc mark out of 1200 is worth about 0.03%. Ten more MDCAT marks therefore add about 2.8%, compared with about 0.33% for ten more FSc marks. For NUST the effect of the test is even stronger. Once your board exams are done, entry test preparation has the biggest effect on your merit.

Using expected marks to plan

If your FSc result is not out yet, enter your expected marks to see a range. Try a few test scores to see what you need for the merit you want. Then compare with the closing merits the universities published in previous years — remembering that closing merits change with the number of seats and candidates each year.

Common mistakes

• Using the wrong total — check the total printed on your result card (for example 1100 or 1200).
• Mixing up Part I and full FSc marks when the notice asks for one of them.
• Forgetting that private colleges and other universities can use their own formulas.
• Comparing with a closing merit from a different quota or programme.

Applying to more than one university

Most students apply to several universities, and each one may use a different formula. A strong FSc result helps more at UET than at NUST, while a strong test score matters most at NUST. Work out your aggregate for each university separately and apply where your strengths count the most. Keep an eye on deadlines, because test dates and application windows often overlap.

Hafiz, sports and special quotas

Some admission policies give extra marks or reserved seats for certain groups, such as Hafiz-e-Quran candidates, sports, disabled persons, overseas Pakistanis or students from particular areas. These rules differ between universities and years. If any of them apply to you, read the admission notice carefully, collect the certificates early, and check whether the extra marks are added before or after the aggregate.

Keeping documents ready

• Matric and FSc result cards or detailed marks certificates
• CNIC or Form-B
• Domicile certificate if the university asks for it
• Recent photographs in the required size
• Entry test result or admit card

Use the image to PDF tool to turn scanned documents into a single PDF when an online portal asks for one file.

Finally, do not rely on a single option. Apply to a mix of universities and programmes where your aggregate is above, near and slightly below last year’s closing merit, so you have a real choice when the merit lists come out.

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