MDCAT 2026: Over 138,000 Candidates to Appear in September 20 Entry Test
More than 138,000 candidates are registered for MDCAT 2026 on September 20, including 2,063 additional registrations, with UHS Lahore conducting the test for 49,198 candidates.
MDCAT 2026: Over 138,000 Candidates to Appear in September 20 Entry Test
The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026, with 138,158 candidates registered to appear across Pakistan and at an international examination centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to the latest compiled data submitted by participating universities to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), 2,063 additional candidates registered after the examination was postponed from its original August 16 date. The University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore will conduct the test for the largest number of candidates, with 49,198 students registered through the university.
With the examination now only days away, candidates should focus on final revision, MCQ practice, examination-day preparation and the latest official instructions.
MDCAT 2026 Date
The MDCAT 2026 examination will be held on September 20, 2026.
The examination was originally scheduled for August 16, 2026, but it was subsequently rescheduled to September 20. PMDC's official press-release page lists the notice confirming the revised examination date.
Candidates should therefore follow the revised September schedule and avoid relying on older MDCAT announcements showing August 16 as the examination date.
More Than 138,000 Candidates Registered
The latest consolidated figures show that 138,158 candidates are registered for MDCAT 2026.
Before the additional registration phase, 136,095 candidates had registered. A further 2,063 candidates registered after the examination was postponed and registration was reopened.
The large number of candidates highlights the intense competition associated with medical and dental college admissions in Pakistan.
UHS Lahore Has the Largest Number of Candidates
The University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore has the largest number of registered MDCAT candidates.
According to the latest figures, 49,198 candidates will take the examination through UHS Lahore. Of these, 48,528 candidates had registered before the additional registration phase, while 670 candidates registered during the second phase.
Other major conducting universities include:
| University | Registered Candidates |
|---|---|
| UHS Lahore | 49,198 |
| KMU Peshawar | 38,841 |
| IBA University, Sukkur | 34,232 |
| BUMHS Quetta | 9,923 |
| SZABMU Islamabad | 5,964 |
These figures come from the latest consolidated data submitted by the participating universities.
MDCAT 2026 Will Be Held Across Pakistan
The examination will be conducted in 35 cities and towns across Pakistan, along with an international examination centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The examination involves multiple universities and provincial authorities, requiring coordination across examination centres, security arrangements, medical assistance and emergency-response services.
PMDC has directed the universities and provincial authorities involved in the examination to ensure that all arrangements are completed on time and that the examination is conducted in a fair, transparent and secure manner.
Why MDCAT Is Important
MDCAT is a mandatory entrance test for admission to medical and dental colleges in Pakistan.
Students seeking admission to MBBS and BDS programmes compete through the medical and dental admission process, making MDCAT one of the country's most important university entry tests.
The high number of candidates compared with available medical and dental seats makes preparation, accuracy and time management particularly important.
MDCAT 2026 Was Previously Postponed
MDCAT 2026 was initially scheduled for August 16, 2026.
The examination was subsequently postponed and rescheduled for September 20, 2026. PMDC later reopened registration, resulting in an additional 2,063 registrations.
The revised schedule was intended to provide a new examination date and allow the relevant authorities to complete the necessary arrangements.
PMDC Reviews MDCAT Examination Arrangements
PMDC has been coordinating with the universities responsible for conducting MDCAT.
A recent meeting chaired by PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj reviewed preparations for the September 20 examination.
The meeting considered arrangements relating to:
- Examination centres
- Security
- Medical assistance
- Emergency response
- Candidate facilities
- Parents and guardians
- Examination integrity
- Overall examination management
PMDC directed the participating universities and provincial authorities to maintain close coordination and ensure the examination is conducted smoothly and transparently.
Examination Centres and Candidate Facilities
With more than 138,000 candidates appearing across multiple locations, examination-centre preparation is an important part of the MDCAT process.
PMDC's latest arrangements include attention to:
- Appropriate seating
- Essential facilities
- Security
- Medical assistance
- Emergency response
- Facilities for candidates
- Facilities for accompanying parents and guardians
The authorities have also emphasized maintaining the secrecy and security of examination papers.
Candidates Should Check Their Examination Information
With the examination approaching, candidates should carefully review all information provided by their respective conducting university.
Students should verify:
- Roll number
- Examination centre
- Reporting time
- Examination instructions
- Required identification documents
- Any university-specific requirements
Candidates should not depend on unofficial social-media posts when checking important examination information.
Final MDCAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
At this stage, students should focus on smart revision rather than attempting to cover the entire syllabus from scratch.
A practical final-stage strategy includes:
1. Revise High-Priority Topics
Focus on concepts that you have already studied but still find difficult.
2. Practise MCQs
Regular multiple-choice question practice can help improve speed and accuracy.
3. Attempt Timed Tests
Practise answering questions under time pressure.
4. Review Your Mistakes
Do not simply check your score. Identify why each incorrect answer was wrong.
5. Revise Weak Areas
Use your practice-test results to identify topics requiring another review.
6. Avoid Last-Minute Overloading
A balanced revision routine can be more effective than studying continuously without adequate rest.
Practice MDCAT MCQs
MDCAT preparation requires extensive MCQ practice.
Students can use GeneratePaper to create structured practice material according to subjects and topics.
Practice papers can include:
- Biology MCQs
- Chemistry MCQs
- Physics MCQs
- Chapter-wise tests
- Topic-based tests
- Full-length mock tests
- Revision papers
Regular practice can help students identify weak areas and improve their accuracy before the actual examination.
Create Customized Practice Tests
A useful approach during the final days is to divide practice according to individual weaknesses.
For example:
Weak Topic → Generate MCQs → Attempt Timed Test → Check Mistakes → Revise → Repeat
Students can create targeted practice instead of repeatedly attempting the same type of paper.
This approach can make final revision more focused and productive.
Time Management Matters
Knowing the material is only one part of examination preparation.
Students also need to manage their time effectively.
During mock tests, candidates should monitor:
- Time spent on individual questions
- Questions that take too long
- Accuracy under time pressure
- Topics causing repeated mistakes
- Ability to move on from difficult questions
Timed practice can help students become more comfortable with the pace required during the actual examination.
What Candidates Should Do Before September 20
Candidates should complete their examination-day preparations before the test.
Students should:
- Check their examination information
- Confirm their examination centre
- Review official instructions
- Prepare required identification
- Organize permitted examination materials
- Plan their route to the centre
- Get adequate rest
- Arrive according to the instructions provided by their conducting authority
Candidates should not wait until examination morning to discover an issue with their documents or examination centre.
Follow Official MDCAT Updates
Students should rely on official sources for important examination information.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) is the national regulatory authority responsible for the MDCAT framework.
Candidates should regularly check the PMDC official website and its examination announcements for any last-minute changes or instructions.
PMDC's official press-release page currently lists the MDCAT 2026 rescheduling notice and the latest examination-arrangement update.
MDCAT 2026 at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | MDCAT 2026 |
| Date | September 20, 2026 |
| Day | Sunday |
| Total Registered Candidates | 138,158 |
| Additional Registrations | 2,063 |
| Largest Conducting University | UHS Lahore |
| UHS Candidates | 49,198 |
| Pakistan Examination Locations | 35 cities and towns |
| International Centre | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Original Examination Date | August 16, 2026 |
| Revised Examination Date | September 20, 2026 |
The candidate figures are based on the latest consolidated data reported on September 14, while the September 20 date and examination arrangements are also confirmed by PMDC's latest notices.
