The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has rescheduled the MDCAT to October 26, moving it from October 5 to accommodate students from flood-affected areas.
The Council said the change ensures equitable access and a calm, focused testing environment nationwide.
Nationwide testing footprint and Riyadh international centre
A total of 140,071 candidates will sit the exam through provincial universities and one overseas venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Punjab leads with 50,443 applicants (University of Health Sciences, Lahore).
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has 39,964 (Khyber Medical University, Peshawar), and Sindh reports 33,160 (Sukkur IBA Testing Service).
Balochistan fields 10,278 (Bolan University, Quetta).
Via SZABMU Islamabad, ICT has 1,146, AJK 3,322, Gilgit-Baltistan 1,564, and 194 candidates are registered for overseas centers.
Uniform syllabus, strict standards, and anti-cheating drive
PMDC has prepared a uniform syllabus and item bank to keep the paper consistent across centers.
Universities must follow PMDC standards in paper setting and result declaration.
To safeguard integrity, the Council is coordinating with the FIA, IB, and police to prevent paper leaks and cheating, reinforcing confidence in a merit-based selection process.
Guidance for candidates and message from PMDC leadership
Candidates should rely only on official instructions from PMDC or the designated universities and ignore rumors or unverified posts.
PMDC President Dr. Rizwan Taj urged institutions to facilitate students and conduct a smooth exam, reminding candidates that dedication, integrity, and merit are the path to success.
The MDCAT remains the mandatory gateway for admission to medical and dental colleges across Pakistan, selecting the most competent future healthcare professionals.
Read more: US revokes Chabahar waiver, a major blow to India’s naval strategy
