The wait is almost over for thousands of medical and dental college hopefuls as MDCAT 2026 approaches across Pakistan.
The Medical and Dental College Admission Test will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 10:00 am. Around 138,160 candidates are expected to appear in this year’s examination.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has established 34 examination centres across the country.
Additionally, one examination centre has been established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for Pakistani students there.
MDCAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The MDCAT paper will contain 180 multiple-choice questions covering four subjects. These subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English.
Educational experts from across the country selected the questions for the examination. Meanwhile, PMDC has arranged two separate papers for every province.
The arrangement aims to prevent the cancellation of all examination papers if any issue arises. The examination will last three hours, with candidates required to attempt all 180 MCQs.
However, students will not face negative marking during the MDCAT examination. The “Answer Sheet” of MDCAT will also be uploaded after the examination.
Students Must Reach Centres Early
Candidates have been instructed to report to their respective examination halls at 7:00 am. Therefore, students should reach their assigned centres well before the examination begins at 10:00 am.
The required passing percentage will also differ according to the type of admission. Candidates seeking admission to medical colleges must secure at least 55 percent marks.
Meanwhile, a minimum of 50 percent marks will be required for admission to dental colleges.
MDCAT Examination Centres Across Provinces
The examination will take place at designated centres across Pakistan. In Punjab, the MDCAT will be conducted at the University of Health Sciences in Lahore.
In Sindh, candidates will sit the examination at IBA Sukkur. Meanwhile, Khyber Medical University will host the examination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
For candidates appearing from Riyadh, the examination will be held at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University in Islamabad. A separate portal has also been established for students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Due to internet disruption, AJK students will receive a hard copy of the question paper.
Health Ministry to Supervise MDCAT
Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal said the Ministry of Health will only supervise the examination. According to the minister, the provincial governments are responsible for conducting the MDCAT examination.
With the test scheduled for Sunday morning, thousands of candidates are now preparing for the final examination.
The results will play an important role in determining admission opportunities for students seeking places in medical and dental colleges.
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