MDCAT 2026 Test Date | Official PMDC Schedule & Countdown

The MDCAT runs simultaneously across Pakistan under PMDC supervision. Provincial bodies — University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore for Punjab, Khyber Medical University (KMU) for KPK, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) for Sindh, Bolan Medical College (BMC) for Balochistan, and ETEA for AJK — administer the paper locally. Always confirm the final date on pmc.gov.pk before booking travel.

Why August 16 Is the Expected Date

PMDC has historically held the MDCAT in the second or third week of August. The 2024 paper fell on 25 August (later rescheduled), 2023 on 10 September, and 2022 on 13 November (delayed) (PMDC, 2024). For 2026, PMDC's pre-notification cycle and the FSc result calendar (results mid-July under IBCC) point to mid-August 2026 as the likeliest window. Provincial heads have indicated they are coordinating around this slot.

“The MDCAT shall be conducted on a single day across Pakistan under uniform conditions to ensure parity for every candidate.” — PMDC MDCAT National Policy (2021, reaffirmed 2024)

Province-Wise Test Conducting Bodies

A Brief History of MDCAT Reschedules

The MDCAT has been postponed multiple times in the last five years, so do not be alarmed if PMDC pushes the date.

• 2020: Postponed twice due to COVID-19 (final date: Nov 15).
• 2022: Pushed from August to November 13 amid floods.
• 2023: Held September 10 after a 3-week delay.
• 2024: Originally August 25, partially rescheduled after a paper-leak controversy.

The lesson: track PMDC notifications weekly and follow your provincial body on social media. We post every confirmed update at premeth.com.

Days Remaining: Plan Your Final 100 Days

From May 10, 2026, you have approximately 98 days until the expected test date. Here is a high-level plan:

• Days 98–60: Complete syllabus revision (use the Premeth MDCAT hub).
• Days 60–30: Solve every available UHS past paper and Sindh paper.
• Days 30–10: Full-length mocks under timed conditions.
• Days 10–1: Light revision, formula sheets, sleep hygiene.

FAQ

Q: Is the MDCAT 2026 date officially confirmed?

The date of August 16, 2026 is the expected date based on past patterns. Always verify with PMDC's official notification before treating it as final.

Q: Will the test be held on the same day in all provinces?

Yes. Since 2021, PMDC has enforced a single-day, single-paper policy nationwide to prevent leaks.

Q: What if the date is postponed?

Postponements are usually announced 2–3 weeks in advance. Roll-number slips remain valid; only the date changes.

Q: When will registration open?

Typically 6–8 weeks before the exam. See our MDCAT 2026 Registration Guide for the full process.