Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has shared major details about the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026, which is scheduled to take place across Pakistan on September 20. He said several measures have been introduced this year to improve security and transparency in the examination process.
According to the health minister, the MDCAT 2026 paper will contain a total of 180 questions. A large question bank containing 8,000 questions has been prepared for the examination.
Kamal said two different question papers, each containing 180 questions, have been sent to every province.
34 MDCAT examination centres established
A total of 34 examination centres have been established for MDCAT 2026. These include an international examination centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for candidates appearing outside Pakistan.
The health minister explained that conducting MDCAT remains the responsibility of provincial governments and the medical universities concerned. However, the Ministry of Health and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will directly monitor and oversee the examination process.
Kamal said security arrangements have been strengthened because Pakistan has previously faced an MDCAT paper leak that resulted in the examination being cancelled nationwide. Providing separate papers to provinces is intended to reduce this risk.
He also said that no complaint was registered regarding the conduct of last year’s MDCAT.
Special arrangements for AJK students
Special measures have also been introduced for students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
A dedicated portal has been launched for AJK candidates. Physical copies of examination papers have also been delivered to the region because internet disruptions could create difficulties during the process. In addition, a special examination centre has been established in Islamabad for AJK students.
Previously, candidates were to attempt 180 multiple-choice questions in three hours, with no negative marking. The minimum qualifying score remains 55 per cent for MBBS and 50 per cent for BDS.
MDCAT 2026 was originally scheduled for August 16 but was later moved to September 20. PMDC also reopened registration for five days in August to allow students who had missed the earlier deadline to apply.
