The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially announced the date for the mandatory Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) required for admission to medical and dental colleges.
According to a statement issued by the PMDC, MDCAT examinations will be held simultaneously across the country on August 16, 2026.
The official notification further stated that this year’s examination syllabus will remain the same as the one issued last year.
In addition, the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) MDCAT 2026 for Army Medical College and other affiliated Combined Military Hospitals (CMH) institutions will be conducted on Sunday August 23, 2026.
Officials said the registration process for the NUMS MDCAT began on May 18.
The PMDC has advised students to regularly visit the official PMDC website for the latest updates, registration details and examination procedures related to MDCAT 2026.
PMDC imposes new conditions for MDCAT entry test 2026
Earlier, PMDC announced new conditions regarding the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) entry test.
According to the details, the MDCAT has made biometric verification of students mandatory in the entry test to be held this year.
In addition to this, the M&DC has instructed students below the age of 18 to make a Juvenile Registration Card or Smart Card for Minors issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) prior to the examination.
Candidates without a valid Juvenile Registration Card or a valid CNIC will not be allowed to participate in the entry test.
PMDC announces new passing criteria for MDCAT
Previously, the PMDC announced a new passing criterion for the MDCAT examinations.
According to the notification issued by the department on April 8, the medical universities are allowed for a one-time reduction of passing marks up to 3 per cent for both the MBBS and BDS admissions.
The new passing percentage for the MDCAT will be as follows:
- For the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), it is 52 per cent
- For the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), it is 47 per cent
Additionally, the PMDC has allowed all the universities to reduce the passing criteria under these three conditions:
- Filling only the vacant seats for the academic session 2025–26
- Making sure of strict merit-based transparency and institutional accountability by the admitting universities
- Monitoring the admission process by the admitting universities for the vacant seats
The criteria will be applicable only to the admissions for the 2025-26 academic year.
