MDCAT 2026 Date: Registration, Fee & Eligibility

If you are searching for "PMDC MDCAT 2026," note that PMDC (Pakistan Medical and Dental Council) was replaced by PMC (Pakistan Medical Commission) in 2020 under the Pakistan Medical Commission Act. PMC now conducts the MDCAT and regulates medical education in Pakistan — but since most students and even most search results still use the old "PMDC" name out of habit, this guide covers both terms. Everything below is what you need to plan MDCAT 2026: the expected date, registration steps, eligibility, fee, and the policy rules that actually decide whether you get admitted.

MDCAT 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance

• Conducted by: Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), formerly PMDC
• Format: 180 MCQs, paper-based, 3 hours
• Expected test window: September–October 2026 (based on the pattern of recent years — PMC confirms the exact date 2–3 months in advance)
• Registration window: typically opens June–July, closes July–August
• Negative marking: none
• Pass marks: 55% for medical college, 50% for dental college eligibility
• Attempt limit: maximum 3 attempts
• Official source: pmc.gov.pk — treat any other source, including this one, as secondary

When Is MDCAT 2026?

PMC has not confirmed the exact 2026 date at the time of writing. Based on the pattern of the last several cycles, the test has consistently landed in the September–October window after moving earlier in the calendar year from the November sittings of 2020–2022. Expect registration to open in June or July, close around a month later, and the test itself to follow in September. PMC typically announces the confirmed date through its website and national press 2–3 months ahead of the sitting — bookmark the official site rather than relying on any third-party date, including forecasts like this one.

Who Is Eligible

• FSc Pre-Medical (Part I and Part II) — both parts passed, or appearing in Part II in 2026 with provisional registration allowed
• Minimum 60% aggregate marks in FSc (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) — confirm the current threshold on PMC's notification, as this figure has moved before
• Biology must have been studied as an FSc subject
• A-Level or other foreign-qualified candidates need a PMC equivalence certificate before registering
• Valid CNIC (or B-Form if under 18)

How to Register for MDCAT 2026

1. Go to pmc.gov.pk and open the MDCAT registration section once it is live.
2. Create an account with your CNIC/B-Form number and a valid email address, then verify the email.
3. Fill the application form: personal details, FSc board and result (or "appearing" status), domicile, and contact information.
4. Upload a recent passport-size photo (white background, clear face) and your FSc marksheet or appearing-status letter.
5. Choose your preferred city and, within it, up to 2–3 test centre preferences — popular cities like Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad fill fastest, so register early if you want a specific centre.
6. Pay the registration fee through the portal (JazzCash, Easypaisa or card) or via a bank challan.
7. Save your registration confirmation number and download your roll number slip once it is issued.

Only pmc.gov.pk is the legitimate registration channel — do not register or pay through any third-party website or "agent" claiming to speed up the process.

MDCAT 2026 Registration Fee

The fee has generally sat in the PKR 3,500–6,000 range in recent cycles, with the exact figure confirmed by PMC each year alongside the registration announcement. Treat any fee quoted before the official notification, including the range above, as an estimate.

The 3-Attempt Limit — Read This Before You Register

PMC caps every candidate at a maximum of 3 MDCAT attempts. If 2026 is your second or third sitting, there is no appeal or exception if you fall short again — you become ineligible for admission to any PMC-recognised medical or dental college regardless of your FSc marks. If this applies to you, treat your preparation with the seriousness that deserves: start early, and use full-length timed practice rather than passive revision in the final months.

Minimum Passing Score

To be eligible for medical college admission you need at least 55% in MDCAT (50% for dental college). Falling below this threshold makes you ineligible regardless of your FSc percentage or aggregate — passing MDCAT is a gate you must clear before your aggregate is even calculated, not a component that gets averaged in. Confirm the current cutoff on PMC's official notification, since it has been adjusted before.

What Actually Decides Admission: The Aggregate

Passing MDCAT makes you eligible; your aggregate is what determines your rank and the college you get offered. The formula most provincial universities use weights Matric, FSc and MDCAT differently — for example Punjab (UHS) has recently used roughly 10% Matric + 40% FSc + 50% MDCAT, while other provinces and NUMS use different splits. Because this differs by admitting authority and moves between cycles, use our MDCAT aggregate calculator to work out your own number against the current weightings for UHS, NUMS, KMU or Sindh.

What Typically Changes Year to Year (and What Doesn't)

The conducting body (PMC), the core subject list (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Logical Reasoning), the computer-free paper-based MCQ format, and the general September testing window have all stayed consistent since PMC standardised the test. What moves from year to year is the exact date, the registration fee, and occasionally the minimum qualifying score or specific syllabus topics. Always prepare from the current year's syllabus and notification rather than assuming last year's figures still apply.

Next Steps

• Download the full official syllabus and structure on our PMDC MDCAT syllabus & structure page.
• Work out your likely aggregate with the aggregate calculator.
• Start practising past-paper style MCQs with detailed explanations on the HighYield MDCAT QBank — the first 20 questions are free, no card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PMDC the same as PMC?

PMC replaced PMDC in 2020 and now conducts MDCAT and regulates medical education. Many people still say "PMDC MDCAT" out of habit — they mean the same national test PMC now runs.

When will the MDCAT 2026 date be announced?

Typically 2–3 months before the test itself, through pmc.gov.pk and national press. Based on recent years, expect a September–October sitting.

How many times can I attempt MDCAT?

A maximum of 3 attempts. There is no exception once you exceed this limit.

What score do I need to pass MDCAT?

55% for medical college eligibility, 50% for dental college. This is separate from your aggregate, which determines your actual rank.

Where do I register?

Only through the official PMC portal at pmc.gov.pk. Never use a third-party site or agent.

Related: want a timed, mixed-section mock test before test day? See our free MDCAT mock test.

While you wait for registration to open, drill the high-yield chapters — see our MDCAT Physics MCQs by Chapter.

Start practicing early with our chapter-wise MDCAT English MCQs — Grammar, Vocabulary & Comprehension.