The Hifz-e-Quran 20-Mark Bonus: Test Format & Interview Reality

The 2026 Reality: The 20-Mark Bonus Is Gone

If you're a Hafiz-e-Quran candidate preparing for MDCAT 2026, you need to know this upfront: the 20-mark bonus has been abolished. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has rescinded the policy of awarding additional marks to Hafiz-e-Quran candidates for admissions in government medical and dental colleges[reference:0].

The decision was confirmed during a suo motu case hearing before a six-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The PMDC's lawyer informed the bench that the decision to award the additional 20 marks had already been rescinded[reference:1]. Justice Ijazul Ahsan, who headed the bench, concluded that there was no ongoing issue to address and subsequently closed the case[reference:2].

Following the PMDC's decision, the Punjab government also introduced significant changes to its admission policy for public sector medical and dental institutes. Under the revised policy, Hafiz-e-Quran candidates will no longer receive a 20-mark advantage in the merit calculation process[reference:3].

How the Hifz-e-Quran Test Used to Work

For more than three decades, the award of 20 marks to Hafiz-e-Quran candidates was an established policy approved by the government[reference:6]. Understanding how it worked provides important context for anyone who may have been relying on it in previous years.

Operational Timeline: The Hifz-e-Quran test was typically conducted 1–2 weeks before the final merit lists were published. Candidates who applied for the bonus would be called for an interview/test after the MDCAT results were announced but before the final merit lists were compiled. The exact schedule varied by admitting university.

The Testing Format: The test was conducted by a committee of eminent Huffaz constituted by the admitting university's Vice Chancellor or Chairman Admission Committee[reference:7][reference:8]. The committee would test candidates on their memorization through:

• Random Surah jumps: Candidates were asked to recite from randomly selected Surahs to verify complete memorization.
• Mutashabihat traps: Committee members would test candidates on similar-sounding verses (Mutashabihat) to ensure they had memorized with precision, not just rote repetition.
• Fluency and Tajweed: Recitation quality and proper pronunciation were also assessed.

The Certificate Requirement: Candidates had to produce a legitimate Hifz-e-Quran certificate from an approved institution confirming their status as a Hafiz[reference:9][reference:10]. The certificate had to be uploaded during the application process[reference:11].

How the 20 Marks Affected the Aggregate

The 20 marks were added to the candidate's HSSC/FSc score, not directly to the MDCAT score or the final aggregate percentage[reference:14][reference:15]. The contribution to the final aggregate was proportionate to the weightage of HSSC in the merit formula[reference:16].

Under the pre-2019 formula, where HSSC had a 40% weightage, the 20 Hifz marks contributed 8 marks (0.08%) to the final aggregate[reference:17]. When the PMDC amended the regulations in May 2019 and increased HSSC weightage to 50%, the contribution of Hifz-e-Quran marks increased to 10 marks (0.10%)[reference:18].

To put this in perspective: if a candidate had an HSSC score of 900/1100 (81.82%), the 20 Hifz marks would raise it to 920/1100 (83.64%). With HSSC at 40% weightage, this translated to a 0.73 percentage point increase in the final aggregate. With HSSC at 50% weightage, it translated to a 0.91 percentage point increase.

What This Means for Hafiz-e-Quran Candidates in 2026

If you are a Hafiz-e-Quran, here's what you need to know for MDCAT 2026:

1. The 20-mark bonus is not available. Do not factor it into your aggregate calculations. Your merit will be calculated using the standard formula: Matric (10%) + HSSC/FSc (40%) + MDCAT (50%).
2. You do not need to appear for a Hifz test. Since the bonus has been abolished, there is no Hifz-e-Quran interview or test conducted by the admitting universities.
3. Your Hifz certificate is not required for admission. You do not need to upload a Hifz-e-Quran certificate during the application process unless specifically requested by the university for other purposes.
4. Focus on the standard merit components. Your MDCAT score, HSSC marks, and Matric marks are the only factors that determine your aggregate. Maximize your performance in these three areas.