Your dream of wearing a white coat and entering a medical or dental college in Pakistan is officially taking its first major step. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has announced the official schedule for the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) for the 2026 session.
The online registration portal is now live. If you are planning to secure admission in MBBS or BDS programs this year, you must act quickly. Missing a deadline or filling out the application incorrectly can cost you a whole academic year.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know. From critical deadlines and the complete fee structure to a step-by-step online application walkthrough, we have covered it all to help you navigate the process flawlessly.
Official MDCAT 2026 Schedule & Critical Deadlines
Timing is everything when it comes to competitive entrance exams. PM&DC has set a strict timeline for registration, and no extensions are guaranteed.
The registration process is divided into two phases: normal registration and late registration. Choosing to apply during the late window will require you to pay a heavily penalized fee.
Here is the complete official timeline for the MDCAT 2026 cycle:
| Registration Event | Official Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Starts (Normal Fee) | June 22, 2026 |
| Online Registration Ends (Normal Fee) | July 8, 2026 |
| Online Registration Deadline (With Late Fee) | July 13, 2026 |
| Official MDCAT 2026 Test Date | Sunday, August 16, 2026 |
| Reporting and Test Start Time | 10:00 AM PST |
Make sure to set multiple reminders on your calendar for July 8, 2026. Completing your profile before this date will save you money and ensure you get your preferred local test center.
Detailed MDCAT 2026 Fee Structure
The registration fees vary significantly depending on whether you are taking the test at a local center inside Pakistan or at an international test location. Furthermore, missing the normal deadline introduces a massive late fee penalty.
All registration fees paid to the admitting authorities are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable. Double-check all your information before making the final transaction.
Here is the breakdown of the exact fee slabs:
Local Test Centers (Within Pakistan)
- Normal Registration Fee: PKR 9,000 (Valid until July 8, 2026)
- Late Registration Fee: PKR 13,000 (Applicable from July 9 to July 13, 2026)
International Test Centers
- Normal Registration Fee: PKR 45,000 (Valid until July 8, 2026)
- Late Registration Fee: PKR 55,000 (Applicable from July 9 to July 13, 2026)
Admitting Universities for MDCAT 2026
PM&DC conducts the MDCAT through designated provincial public sector medical universities. When filling out your online form, your application will be routed through the university assigned to your respective province or region.
The following public universities have been authorized to conduct the entry test this year:
- Punjab: University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore
- Sindh: Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK): Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar
- Balochistan: Bolan University of Medical & Health Sciences (BUMHS), Quetta
- Islamabad, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan & Overseas: Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online for MDCAT 2026
The application process is completely digital. You do not need to send physical copies of your documents to PM&DC or the universities. Follow this seamless step-by-step roadmap to complete your registration without errors.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before opening the portal, scan and save the following documents on your computer or mobile device:
- A recent passport-sized photograph with a white or blue background.
- Your CNIC, Smart Card, or Juvenile Card (B-Form).
- Your Matriculation/O-Level equivalence certificate.
- Your Intermediate (FSc Part-1 or Part-2) pre-medical marks sheet or A-Level equivalence.
Step 2: Create an Account on the Official Portal
Navigate to the official PM&DC MDCAT registration portal. Click on the “Sign Up” or “Register” button. Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your matriculation certificate, your active email address, and your mobile number. Create a strong password that you will easily remember.
Step 3: Complete Personal Information
Log in using your new credentials. Fill in your personal details, including your date of birth, father’s name, gender, and exact domicile province.
Step 4: Academic Details & Admitting University
Select your educational background (FSc or A-Levels) and input your obtained marks. Based on your permanent address or domicile, select your respective admitting university from the dropdown menu.
Step 5: Choose Your Exam City Carefully
The portal will present a list of exam centers. Choose the city closest to your current location.
Crucial Warning: Read this carefully before clicking submit. Once you choose and finalize your test city/center, it cannot be changed under any circumstances. Take an extra moment to verify your selection.
Step 6: Upload Documents
Upload the clear, legible scanned images of your photograph and identification document (CNIC or B-Form). Ensure the file sizes match the maximum limits specified on the portal.
Step 7: Generate Challan and Pay the Fee
Click on the “Generate Fee Challan” button. You can download and print the bank challan to pay manually at the designated bank branches. Alternatively, many admitting portals now offer online payment options via debit/credit cards or mobile wallets.
Step 8: Final Verification & Submit
Once the payment is processed, upload a scanned copy of the paid bank stamp (if paying manually) or refresh your portal status to ensure it displays “Paid.” Review every single field one last time and hit the final submit button. Download a PDF copy of your completed application for your records.
MDCAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Subject Weightage
To score well, you must align your revision strategy perfectly with the official MDCAT structure. The 2026 exam remains a paper-based, multiple-choice question (MCQ) test conducted entirely in the English language.
The most encouraging news for candidates is that there is no negative marking in MDCAT 2026. You should attempt every single question on the paper.
The exam consists of 180 total MCQs, distributed across five core areas:
Subject-Wise MCQ Distribution
- Biology: 81 Questions
- Chemistry: 45 Questions
- Physics: 36 Questions
- English: 09 Questions
- Logical Reasoning: 09 Questions
Test Difficulty Levels
PM&DC structures the paper to ensure a fair evaluation of all students. The difficulty is mathematically balanced as follows:
- Easy Questions: 15%
- Moderate Questions: 70%
- Difficult Questions: 15%
Because 70% of the exam consists of moderate questions, mastering the basic concepts and thoroughly reading your provincial textbook boards will guarantee a high baseline score.
Approved Examination Centers & Locations
PM&DC operates test centers in every major administrative division of Pakistan, alongside a specialized international center to accommodate overseas Pakistani students.
Here are the cities where the exam will be actively conducted:
- Islamabad Capital Territory & Regions: Islamabad, Muzaffarabad (AJK), Mirpur (AJK), Rawalakot (AJK), and Gilgit (GB).
- Punjab: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Gujrat, D.G. Khan, Sahiwal, Layyah, Bahawalnagar, Mianwali, and Rahim Yar Khan.
- Sindh: Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, and Larkana.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Peshawar, Mardan, Dir Lower, Swat, Malakand, Abbottabad, Kohat, and Dera Ismail Khan.
- Balochistan: Quetta.
- International Hub: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I change my test center after submitting the MDCAT form?
No. PM&DC and the admitting universities have explicitly stated that the city or test center chosen during online registration is permanent. It cannot be altered after final submission.
2. Is there negative marking in MDCAT 2026?
No, there is absolutely no negative marking. If you marks an incorrect answer, you simply get zero points for that question rather than losing existing marks. You should answer all 180 questions.
3. What should I do if my FSc Part-2 results are not announced yet?
You can apply using your FSc Part-1 marks sheet or your hope certificate provided by your college. The portal is designed to accept applications based on first-year academic results for students awaiting final board results.
4. Can a student with a Sindh domicile take the test in Punjab?
According to PM&DC policy, candidates are generally allowed to appear in the MDCAT only within their respective province or region of domicile. If special provisions apply, they will be handled directly through the designated university portals.
5. What is the total duration of the MDCAT 2026 exam?
The exact duration will be printed on your final roll number slip. However, all standard 180-MCQ physical entry exams are typically timed between 3 to 3.5 hours. The test kicks off precisely at 10:00 AM PST on August 16, 2026.
