The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has rescheduled the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 from 16 August to 20 September, the council announced through a press release on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
The decision and who ordered it
The rescheduling was made on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The council stated that the postponement was intended to ensure the "smooth, secure and transparent conduct of the examination while facilitating all candidates".
What stays the same
Beyond the date, nothing else about the examination has been altered. The PMDC confirmed that all other terms, conditions, and examination arrangements shall remain unchanged unless notified otherwise. The test remains mandatory for entry to all MBBS and BDS programmes in Pakistan.
Scale of the exam
PMDC officials informed a Senate Standing Committee on Health subcommittee last month that approximately 135,000 candidates are expected to sit the MDCAT this year. That meeting had aired concerns over roughly 1,000 complaints from students about the examination's conduct and scheduling. Earlier this week, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir health secretary also met PMDC officials to flag difficulties candidates faced in completing registration because of a prolonged internet shutdown in the region.
What candidates should do now
- Visit the official PMDC website regularly for updates on the exam schedule, test centres, and roll-number slips.
- Follow the council's official communication channels for any further instructions.
- Continue preparing under the existing syllabus and conditions, which remain in force.
The PMDC expressed appreciation for the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders and regretted any inconvenience caused by the revised date. It has not yet specified whether the deadline for online registration will be extended, nor has it published a revised timetable for the issuance of admit slips or the declaration of results.