MDCAT 2026: Test Date, Registration & PMDC Updates
Latest PMDC announcements, expected test dates, registration timeline, and everything you need to know about MDCAT 2026.
Official PMDC Date
Sunday, 16 August 2026
Source: PMDC Official Announcement, 19 May 2026What is MDCAT?
The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) is Pakistan's national entry test for MBBS and BDS programs, conducted by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). Every public and private medical college in Pakistan requires a valid MDCAT score for admission — there is no alternative route.
It is one of the most competitive exams in the country — around 200,000 students sit MDCAT every year competing for approximately 4,000 MBBS seats across public medical colleges. The test measures subject knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Logical Reasoning — as well as problem-solving and critical thinking under strict time pressure.
When is MDCAT 2026?
PMDC officially confirmed the MDCAT 2026 date on 19 May 2026. The exam will be held on Sunday, 16 August 2026 across all provinces of Pakistan. Registration is expected to open in June 2026 on the PMDC official website.
Not sure where to start? Talk to a counsellor.
WhatsApp usMDCAT 2026 Registration Timeline
June
Registration opens
July
Regular deadline
Late July
Late fee deadline
Early Aug
Admit cards issued
16 Aug
MDCAT 2026 exam day
Provincial rule: Candidates may only appear in MDCAT in their province or region of domicile. You cannot choose a test centre outside your registered province.
How to register
- 1Visit the official PMDC website (pmdc.gov.pk)
- 2Create an account or log in with your existing credentials
- 3Fill in your personal details — name, date of birth, father's name, contact info
- 4Select your province and preferred test city — you may only sit the exam in your province of domicile
- 5Upload all required documents (see list below)
- 6Pay the registration fee via the designated payment channels
- 7Download and print your admit card 2–3 weeks before the exam
Documents required
- CNIC or B-Form
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- SSC (Matric) certificate and marksheet
- HSSC (FSc Pre-Medical) certificate and marksheet
- JRC (Juvenile Registration Certificate) — for candidates under 18New for 2026
Expected registration fee
Fees not yet confirmed by PMDC. Based on 2025 rates.
MDCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
There is no age limit or attempt limit for MDCAT 2026. The key requirements are academic — and one important new addition for 2026.
Exam Format & Marking Scheme
The 2026 exam follows PMDC's updated 180-MCQ format. Biometric verification is new for 2026 — bring your original CNIC or B-Form to the test centre.
180
Total MCQs
3 hrs
Duration
OMR
Paper-based
+1 / 0
No negative marking
Subject-wise breakdown
TapHover over a sector to see breakdown
| Subject | MCQs | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 81 | 45% |
| Chemistry | 45 | 25% |
| Physics | 36 | 20% |
| English | 9 | 5% |
| Logical Reasoning | 9 | 5% |
| Total | 180 | 100% |
MBBS passing percentage
99 / 180 MCQs correct
BDS passing percentage
90 / 180 MCQs correct
What's in the MDCAT 2026 Syllabus?
No major changes from 2025
PMDC has indicated that the MDCAT 2026 syllabus will be the same as 2025. All four subjects — Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English — remain at the same depth and scope as last year.
Full topic-by-topic breakdown, chapter weightings, and past-paper analysis are available on our dedicated syllabus hub.
View full MDCAT 2026 syllabusCommon Mistakes
Mistakes to avoid in MDCAT prep
200,000 students sit MDCAT every year for ~4,000 MBBS seats. Most who don't make it on the first attempt repeat the same three mistakes.
Not taking mock tests
Regularly attempt timed full-length mocks to practice recall under pressure — knowing content isn't enough.
Too many resources
Buying five different books leads to confusion and panic. Pick one trusted source and complete it fully.
Ignoring the paper pattern
Concepts alone won't save you. Stay current on PMDC's format — 180 MCQs, 3 hours, subject weightings.
What should you do right now?
- MDCAT 2026 is officially on 16 August 2026 — start your prep now with a fixed target
- Adjust your study plan for 180 MCQs in 3 hours — tighter than previous years
- Prioritise high-weightage subjects: Biology (81), Chemistry (45), Physics (36)
- Take at least one full-length mock test per week under timed conditions
- Bookmark this page — we update it as soon as PMDC makes any announcement
Prepare for MDCAT 2026 with Pakistan's top educators
Daily live classes Monday–Friday, 10,000+ MCQs, weekly mock tests — everything structured around the PMDC syllabus.
Pakistan's most trusted MDCAT faculty
5 specialist teachers · 50+ years combined experience
Sir Akbar Shamsi
Biology & Counselling
Sir Naved
Chemistry
Miss Hira
Logical Reasoning
Sir Manzoor
English
Sir Wasiq
Physics
Daily Live Classes
Mon–Fri with Pakistan's top MDCAT teachers. Ask questions in real-time.
10,000+ MCQs & FLPs
Full-length practice papers with detailed explanations and national rankings.
Weekly Mock Tests
Saturday tests that replicate real PMDC exam conditions.
Full PMDC Syllabus
Every topic covered — Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Logical Reasoning.
| 03:30 PM | 05:30 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Chemistry | |
| Tuesday | Physics | |
| Wednesday | English | |
| Thursday | Biology | |
| Friday | Counseling | NUMS session |
| Saturday | Weekly Test @ 12 PM | |
2025 Toppers — Maqsad Students
MDCAT Score
196 / 200
MDCAT Score
192 / 200
MDCAT Score
188 / 200
MDCAT Score
194 / 200
MDCAT Score
190 / 200
MDCAT Score
197 / 200
MDCAT Score
185 / 200
MDCAT Score
193 / 200
MDCAT Score
196 / 200
MDCAT Score
192 / 200
MDCAT Score
188 / 200
MDCAT Score
194 / 200
MDCAT Score
190 / 200
MDCAT Score
197 / 200
MDCAT Score
185 / 200
MDCAT Score
193 / 200
Still have questions about MDCAT 2026? Our counsellors can help.
Chat with usFrequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most searched MDCAT 2026 questions — updated as official announcements come in.
PMDC officially announced the MDCAT 2026 date on 19 May 2026. The exam will be held on Sunday, 16 August 2026 across Pakistan. The syllabus remains unchanged from 2025, and biometric verification at test centres is a new requirement for 2026.
Based on previous years, MDCAT 2026 registration is expected to open in June 2026. The regular deadline typically falls in July, with a late-fee window in late July. Admit cards are usually issued 2–3 weeks before the exam date. Watch PMDC's official website and Maqsad for announcements.
To be eligible for MDCAT 2026, you must have: (1) 65% or above in HSSC (FSc Pre-Medical or equivalent), (2) 80% or above in both 9th and 10th grade SSC, and (3) a valid CNIC or B-Form. Candidates under 18 must also submit a JRC (Juvenile Registration Certificate) — a new requirement introduced for 2026. There is no age limit and no attempt limit.
MDCAT 2026 consists of 180 MCQs to be completed in 3 hours on a paper-based OMR sheet. The breakdown is: Biology (81 MCQs), Chemistry (45 MCQs), Physics (36 MCQs), English (9 MCQs), and Logical Reasoning (9 MCQs). Each correct answer earns +1 mark. There is no negative marking.
No — not for 2026. In April 2026, the federal government announced a new policy to hold MDCAT 6 days after FSc results are declared. However, reporting indicates this policy will come into effect from MDCAT 2027 onward, not MDCAT 2026. The 2026 exam will still follow the traditional August–October window.
PMDC has indicated that the MDCAT 2026 syllabus will be the same as 2025 — no major changes. It covers Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Logical Reasoning at HSSC (FSc Pre-Medical) level. A full topic-by-topic breakdown is available on the Maqsad MDCAT syllabus hub.
The minimum passing percentage for MDCAT 2026 is 55% for MBBS seats (99 out of 180 correct) and 45% for BDS seats (81 out of 180 correct). Note that merely passing does not guarantee admission — competitive public medical colleges like DOW, KEMU, and Aga Khan typically require scores of 170+ for MBBS. Aiming for 175+ significantly improves your chances.
Top scorers typically prepare for 8–12 months with a structured plan: daily 4–6 hours of study, concept-first learning for Biology and Chemistry, 100+ MCQs per day, and weekly full-length mock tests under timed conditions. Maqsad's MDCAT 2026 batch offers daily live classes Mon–Fri, 10,000+ MCQs with explanations, weekly mock tests, and direct access to Pakistan's top MDCAT teachers. Start with a free trial to see if it's right for you.
