How to Prepare for Entry Tests in Pakistan (MDCAT, ECAT, NET, USAT): A 90-Day Plan
The plan at a glance
- Days 1–30: concepts and syllabus coverage
- Days 31–60: topic-wise MCQ practice
- Days 61–85: full-length timed mocks and error log
- Days 86–90: light revision and rest
Entry tests often carry more weight than your FSc marks. NUST, for example, has traditionally given its entry test 75% of the merit. The good news is that every major entry test is based on the FSc syllabus and uses MCQs, so a structured plan works for all of them.
Step 1: Know your test
| Test | For | Main subjects |
|---|---|---|
| MDCAT | MBBS, BDS | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Logical Reasoning |
| ECAT | Engineering (Punjab public universities) | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry/CS, English |
| NUST NET | NUST BS programmes | Mathematics, Physics, English (+ Chemistry/CS) |
| USAT (ETC/HEC) | Undergraduate admission and some scholarships | Subject-based plus verbal and quantitative reasoning |
Download the official syllabus for your test and print it. Tick off each topic as you finish it.
Step 2: Days 1–30, build concepts
- Study 3–4 hours a day, split into two sessions.
- Go chapter by chapter through your FSc textbooks, focusing on concepts, not memorising questions.
- Make a one-page summary for each chapter with formulas, definitions and diagrams.
- Do 20–30 easy MCQs at the end of each chapter to check understanding.
Step 3: Days 31–60, practise MCQs topic by topic
- Solve 100–150 MCQs a day from past papers and reliable practice books.
- Keep an error log: write down every question you got wrong and why.
- Revisit weak chapters every weekend.
- Practise English vocabulary and grammar daily for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Days 61–85, full mock tests
- Take a full-length timed mock every two or three days, in the same time slot as the real test.
- After each mock, spend as long analysing mistakes as you spent on the test.
- Track your score on a simple chart. Aim for steady improvement, not perfection.
Step 5: Days 86–90, revise and rest
- Re-read your chapter summaries and error log.
- Do short, easy practice sets to stay sharp.
- Sleep at least 7 hours a night. Tired brains make careless mistakes.
Exam-day strategy
- Reach the centre early with your admit card, CNIC/B-Form and allowed stationery.
- Do a first pass answering every question you are sure about.
- Mark difficult questions and return to them.
- If there is no negative marking, answer every question. If there is, guess only when you can eliminate options.
- Keep an eye on the clock. Do not spend more than 2 minutes on one MCQ.
Common mistakes
- Missing registration deadlines. Note them all in a calendar.
- Only reading notes and not doing timed practice
- Ignoring English, which is often the easiest place to gain marks
- Comparing your scores with others instead of your own progress
