ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially rescheduled the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) for 2026 and announced that originally the tests set to take place on August 16, 2026, the nationwide entrance exam will now take place on September 20.
PMDC issued the notification after receiving direct instructions from the Prime Minister of Pakistan. This extension gives pre-medical candidates extra time to prepare, but it also raises important questions about what changes to expect on test day. The notification said that on the directions of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif the PMDC to ensure a transparent, secure, and organized test environment has rescheduled the date.
It further said that all original admission terms, eligibility criteria, and test arrangements remain unchanged. PMDC advised the candidates to regularly monitor the PMDC website for updates regarding test centres and roll number slips.
PM Shehbaz Sharif issued clear instructions to reschedule the entrance exam with directing PMDC authorities to prioritise exam integrity and student convenience. Consequently, the council decided to postpone the test to upgrade security protocols and streamline logistics.
Furthermore, PMDC stated that the decision serves the best public interest. Conducting a smooth test across multiple provinces requires extensive coordination. Therefore, the extra time allows testing bodies to set up well-organised centres and prevent technical or administrative failures on test day.
Passing the MDCAT is mandatory for admission to medical and dental colleges in Pakistan. Every year approximately 200,000 candidates appear in the MDCAT of which nearly 25,000 secure seats in public sector and private medical and dental colleges nationwide.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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