The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has postponed the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) from August 16 to September 20, 2026. The decision was taken on the directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
PM&DC said the new date was set to ensure the exam is conducted in a smooth, secure and transparent manner while facilitating all candidates. All other terms, conditions and arrangements for the examination will remain unchanged unless notified otherwise, the council added.
Candidates have been advised to regularly check the official PM&DC website and its communication channels for further updates and instructions.
PM&DC acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the change and thanked candidates, parents, educational institutions and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
Last month, a subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Health expressed concern over growing complaints about the conduct and scheduling of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).
PMDC officials informed the committee that the exam would be held in 36 cities, including one centre in Riyadh, with around 135,000 candidates expected to appear.
Senator Anusha Rahman said the committee had received around 1,000 complaints and raised concerns about the burden of expensive academy fees and alleged disparities in the test syllabus.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal defended the examination system, saying it could be improved but rejected claims of major flaws, attributing much of the criticism to private coaching academies.
The committee also discussed concerns over the timing of the MDCAT alongside FSc and A-Level examinations, although PMDC officials said a three-week gap had been maintained after the conclusion of board exams.
