The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially postponed the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026, announcing a new examination date of September 20, 2026.
The MDCAT 2026 examination was originally scheduled to be held on August 16, 2026, but authorities have now confirmed that the test will take place more than a month later following directions from the prime minister.
According to the PMDC, the decision to revise the examination schedule was made on the instructions of the prime minister, with the national entrance examination for admission to medical and dental colleges now set for September 20.
The announcement comes after weeks of debate over the MDCAT examination process, with students, parents, and lawmakers raising several concerns regarding the test schedule, syllabus, and overall examination arrangements.
Earlier, a Senate subcommittee reviewed multiple complaints related to MDCAT 2026. During the meeting, PMDC officials informed lawmakers that nearly 135,000 candidates are expected to appear in this year’s examination.
The test will be conducted in 36 examination cities, including 35 centers across Pakistan and one overseas center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, allowing Pakistani students living abroad to take the examination.
During the Senate discussions, lawmakers highlighted concerns raised by students regarding differences between the FSc and A-Level curricula.
Several candidates argued that FSc students were being tested on concepts associated with the A-Level syllabus, while A-Level students also expressed concerns regarding the examination content.
Students further pointed to scheduling conflicts between MDCAT and intermediate board examinations, saying the overlap made preparation more challenging.
Despite the criticism, PMDC officials defended the existing examination framework, stating that MDCAT is conducted on a single day every year and that students are provided sufficient preparation time after completing their board examinations.
With the revised schedule now announced, students will have additional weeks to prepare for one of Pakistan’s most competitive entrance examinations.
PMDC has advised all aspiring medical and dental students to take note of the new examination date and continue their preparations accordingly.
The council is expected to issue further notifications regarding the updated examination schedule, admit cards, examination centers, and other important instructions through its official communication channels in the coming weeks.
Candidates have also been encouraged to regularly monitor PMDC announcements to avoid missing any important updates related to MDCAT 2026.
The postponement is expected to provide relief to many students who had requested additional preparation time and expressed concerns over the previous examination schedule.
