MDCAT English syllabus guide

Written By Adil Chattha Jan 19, 2018

English is a comparatively difficult portion of MDCAT. There are 30 multiple choice questions in the English portion of MDCAT, the distribution of which is as follows:

1. Select the suitable word from the given alternatives (4 Questions)
2. Spot the error (6 Questions)
3. Choose the grammatically correct sentence (10 Questions)
4. Choose the correct synonym (10 Questions)

If we summarize the syllabus of the English portion of MDCAT, it would be grammar rules+synonyms.

Grammar rules:

Now, the grammar rules are not given in MDCAT syllabus so basically, you need to memorize a lot of grammar rules; the ones you've studied in FSc and many other grammar rules too. There are 10 MCQs in 'Choose the correct sentence’, and 6 MCQs in 'Spot the error' portion of English and both of these portions require you to have extensive knowledge of grammar rules.

Many a time, you might have heard that many of the MCQs are basically textbook lines. But instead of reading all the three FSc textbooks, the easier way is to memorize as many grammar rules as you can and practice using them. The grammar rule applied will remain the same whether the MCQ is from textbook or not. Following are some of the examples from MDCAT past papers:

Choose the correct option:

1. But the men ate their supper with good appetites.
2. But the men ate their supper in good appetites.
3. But the men ate their supper for good appetites.
4. But the men ate their supper into good appetites.

Here, the correct answer is option A. This question has been taken from a textbook line. If you are aware of the correct use of prepositions, you can solve this question easily even without having read the textbook.

-Synopsis of grammar rules: It would be better if you make a synopsis of grammar rules from different books in order to have all the relevant material in one place and you can revise them easily.

For example, here is a synopsis of noun rules along with examples.

https://www.nearpeer.org/blog/75

You can make a synopsis for pronoun, articles, verbs and other parts of speech as well.

Synonyms:

There are almost 850 synonyms specified in UHS MDCAT syllabus. So it is extremely important that you do not lose marks in this portion at least. Your knowledge of vocabulary will be tested in 'synonyms' and you should not lose marks in this portion at least. Here’s a guide on how to ace this portion of the test.

1. First of all, get the UHS specified vocabulary words in printed form so that you can study them anytime easily.

2. Learn at least 30 words every day. You should know the sentence usage of the words as well.

3. Make sentences of your own using the vocabulary words in a way that their meanings and sentence usage are obvious. For example:

                 ‘The policeman asked the witness, who was a robust man with a ruddy complexion, to recapitulate what he saw’.

Here, we have used three words given in MDCAT vocabulary section in one sentence. This way it becomes easier to predict and memorize their meanings.

                           Robust = strong, vigorous

                           Ruddy = reddish, rosy

                           Recapitulate = summarize, sum up

Here’s a video on vocabulary that can help you relate different words given in MDCAT syllabus.

https://www.facebook.com/nearpeer.org/videos/586157955068439/

4. It is extremely important to co-relate the words given in the UHS syllabus, that have almost the same meanings. This helps in shortlisting and makes it easier to retain meanings for a long time. For example:

-Abstruse, arcane and elusive almost carry the same meanings.

-Collage, potpourri, and motley almost carry the same meanings.

5. Revise the words on a daily basis. You cannot learn vocabulary in the last few days. This is something you have to start working on, from the day one.

Do you want someone to teach you all these rules along with a lot of practice questions so that you aim for full marks in English? Good news is that Nearpeer's Online English MDCAT course can help you. Our amazing instructor, Ammar Ali, teaches you in very fun and easy manner. Explore our MDCAT Program now and study online without leaving the comfort of your home.