PMDC announces new MDCAT date after PM’s directive

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has rescheduled the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 from August 16 to September 20, following directions from the prime minister.

The decision was announced by the PM&DC in a press release issued on Thursday, providing thousands of aspiring medical and dental students with additional time to prepare for the mandatory entrance examination.

According to the council, the test has been postponed to ensure the smooth, secure and transparent conduct of the examination while facilitating candidates across the country.

“On the directions of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) hereby informs all candidates, parents, educational institutions and other stakeholders that the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), previously scheduled to be held on August 16, 2026, has been rescheduled to September 20, 2026,” the PM&DC said.

The council clarified that all other examination arrangements, terms and conditions will remain unchanged unless notified otherwise.

Candidates have been advised to regularly visit the PM&DC’s official website and communication channels for further updates and instructions.

The rescheduling is expected to benefit more than 136,000 candidates who have already registered for the examination by giving them over a month of additional preparation time.

The MDCAT is scheduled to be conducted in 35 cities across Pakistan, while an overseas examination centre has also been established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to facilitate Pakistani students residing abroad.

The PM&DC expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the change in schedule and thanked candidates, parents, educational institutions and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.

The MDCAT is a mandatory requirement for admission to public and private medical and dental colleges across Pakistan. Every year, more than 100,000 students compete for a limited number of seats in medical institutions nationwide.

The announcement comes amid concerns raised by students and lawmakers over the examination process.

Earlier this week, officials from Azad Jammu and Kashmir highlighted difficulties faced by students in completing their MDCAT registrations due to the prolonged internet shutdown in the region, prompting the PM&DC to assure maximum facilitation.

Last month, a subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services also expressed concern over complaints regarding the conduct and scheduling of the examination.

During the meeting, lawmakers were informed that around 135,000 candidates were expected to sit the test, while members of the committee said they had received approximately 1,000 complaints from students.

The revised schedule gives candidates an additional five weeks to prepare.