The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 will be held across Pakistan, including Karachi, today, with a total of 138,158 candidates registered for the examination. According to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the MDCAT in Sindh is being conducted under the supervision of the SIBA Testing Services.
According to Sukkur IBA University Vice Chancellor Professor Asif Ahmed Sheikh, nine examination centres have been established in eight cities for the MDCAT in Sindh. These include Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Larkana, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad and Islamabad. One examination centre has been established in Islamabad.
A total of 34,235 candidates will appear for the MDCAT in Sindh under the supervision of IBA University Sukkur. Two examination centres have been established in Karachi, with the test being conducted at NED University and Dow University Ojha Campus.
Officials said around 6,000 candidates will take the test at NED University, while 4,964 candidates are expected to appear at Dow University Ojha Campus. Overall, around 11,000 students will sit the MDCAT in Karachi.
The MDCAT examination will begin at 10 am today (Sunday), while candidates have been instructed to report to their respective examination centres by 6:30 am. SIBA Testing Services has advised candidates to reach the centres on time. The examination will have a duration of three hours.
According to examination authorities, candidates will not be allowed to leave the examination centre before the test concludes and must remain seated until the examination is officially over.
Candidates will also not be allowed to take the question paper with them after completing the examination. They must hand over the question paper to the invigilation staff before leaving the centre. Failure to return the question paper may result in cancellation of the candidate’s result.
The use of mobile phones and other digital devices will be strictly prohibited inside examination centres. Officials have warned that no irregularity will be tolerated during the test. Professor Asif Ahmed Sheikh said every effort would be made to prevent any leakage of the MDCAT paper, reiterating the authorities’ commitment in this regard.
SIBA Testing Services said separate waiting areas would be arranged at all examination centres for parents and guardians accompanying candidates.
Necessary stationery and clean drinking water will also be provided to candidates in examination halls. According to the PMDC, other necessary arrangements will also be made for parents and guardians at the examination centres.
One important change for MDCAT 2026 is that the requirement for a juvenile card has been removed. Candidates will therefore be allowed to sit the examination even if they do not have a juvenile card.
However, candidates’ original mark sheets will be checked at the examination centres for identification purposes. Candidates have been advised to follow all instructions regarding identification and required documents.
Authorities have urged candidates to reach their examination centres on time, avoid bringing prohibited items and strictly follow all rules and regulations during the examination.