MDCAT Test Dates by Year (2021-2026): A Complete Timeline

“When is the MDCAT?” is the first question every pre-medical student asks, and the answer has shifted noticeably over the past few years. This timeline explains how the MDCAT date is set, what the test date was in each recent year, and how to plan your preparation around it.

How the MDCAT Date Is Decided

The MDCAT is a national test, and its date is set at the policy level by the medical regulator (currently PMDC), then conducted by the designated universities in each province. A single national date, or a tight national window, is announced each year - usually a few months in advance - through the official regulator and provincial admitting universities. Always treat the date on the official website (pmdc.pk and your provincial admitting university) as final; third-party dates are often outdated. For the mechanics of scheduling, see our MDCAT test date and schedule guide.

MDCAT Test Dates Year by Year

The following is an approximate historical timeline. Exact dates varied by province and there were retake sittings in some years, so use this for context rather than as an official record.

• MDCAT 2021: the first fully national MDCAT under the then-regulator was held late in the year, around the November–December 2021 window, with a retake sitting offered.
• MDCAT 2022: held around the last quarter of 2022 (roughly November 2022).
• MDCAT 2023: moved earlier in the calendar, held around September 2023.
• MDCAT 2024: conducted in the September 2024 window.
• MDCAT 2025: held in the September 2025 window.
• MDCAT 2026: expected in the September–October 2026 window; confirm the official date when it is announced.

The clear trend has been toward an earlier, more predictable date (late September) so that admissions finish before the academic year. Plan on a September test unless the regulator announces otherwise.

What the Date Means for Your Preparation

Once you know your test month, work backwards. Most students who score well give themselves 3–6 months of structured preparation. If the MDCAT is in September, that means starting serious revision by spring and moving into intensive MCQ practice over the summer.

• 4–6 months out: cover the full syllabus concept by concept. Use our MDCAT syllabus breakdown.
• 2–3 months out: shift to daily MCQ practice and past papers. Follow our 3-month MDCAT study plan.
• Final weeks: full-length timed mocks under exam conditions, then light revision of weak areas.

Do Not Wait for the Exact Date to Start

The single biggest mistake students make is waiting for the official date announcement before beginning serious study. Because the test reliably lands in the September window, you can start now regardless of when the exact date drops. For the bigger picture of registration, fees, and dates, read our MDCAT registration guide and what is the MDCAT overview.

Get Exam-Ready with HighYield

However the date shifts, consistent MCQ practice is what moves your score. Practise past-paper questions with detailed explanations on HighYield’s MDCAT QBank, track your accuracy by subject, and simulate the real paper with Timed mode. Your first 50 questions are free.