MDCAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, 20 September 2026 across Pakistan and at the international centre in Riyadh. The test was postponed from 16 August, but the revised date has now been confirmed by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and reported by national newspapers.pmdc+1

The revised MDCAT paper will contain 180 multiple-choice questions. PM&DC’s published pattern lists Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English and Logical Reasoning, with no negative marking.pmdc

Candidates should download or recheck their admit card, confirm the assigned centre, and review the entry requirements before travelling to the venue.

MDCAT 2026 at a glance

The total candidate figure was compiled from data submitted by participating universities to PM&DC. Dawn reported that 138,158 candidates were expected to sit the test, with UHS Lahore recording the highest number of registrations.dawn

Revised MDCAT 2026 Paper Pattern

PM&DC’s MDCAT 2026 notice gives the following subject-wise distribution:pmdc

The notice also states that the test is paper-based, conducted in English, and carries no negative marking.pmdc

Has the MDCAT paper pattern changed?

The confirmed 2026 paper has 180 questions, and the minister has said that two separate 180-question papers were sent to each province. The papers were prepared from an 8,000-question bank, according to The Nation.nation.com

The use of separate papers is intended to reduce the risk of paper leaks. Candidates should prepare according to the official syllabus and subject distribution instead of relying on unverified social-media claims about the questions.

How many candidates are appearing?

A total of 138,158 candidates are expected to take MDCAT 2026, according to data compiled by the participating universities and submitted to PM&DC.dawn

UHS Lahore has the largest share of candidates. It is responsible for the Punjab test, including centres such as Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Sargodha and other listed cities.pmdc+1

Which universities are conducting MDCAT?

PM&DC assigned the test to five admitting or conducting universities:

• Punjab: University of Health Sciences, Lahore.

• Sindh: Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur.

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Khyber Medical University, Peshawar.

• Balochistan: Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences, Quetta.

• Islamabad, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and Riyadh: Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad.

PM&DC’s notice lists the relevant regions and test arrangements for these universities.pmdc

MDCAT Admit Card and Centre Check

Candidates should check the admit-card page of the university conducting the test in their region. UHS has published an MDCAT 2026 admittance-card notice, while SZABMU has also listed an official MDCAT admit-card update.uhs+1

Admit-card checklist

Before leaving for the examination, confirm:

• Candidate name.

• Roll number.

• CNIC or registration details.

• Examination centre.

• Reporting time.

• Photograph and other printed information.

• Any centre-specific instructions.

Keep a digital copy of the admit card, but carry the printed copy if the instructions require it.

What identification is required?

UHS has listed the original CNIC or Juvenile Identity Card as mandatory for entry to the MDCAT 2026 examination centre. Candidates should check their own admitting university’s instructions for any additional requirements.uhs

Do not wait until exam morning to identify a missing document or a centre discrepancy.

What if the centre information has changed?

SZABMU has published separate notices for MDCAT centre arrangements, including a notice for Rawalakot candidates. Candidates under SZABMU should check the latest university notice and their admit card before travelling.szabmu.edu

If the printed centre and a later official notice appear different, follow the latest instructions from the relevant admitting university and contact its official help channel if needed.

Final 48-Hour Preparation Plan

The remaining time should be used for recall, timing and logistics—not for starting large new topics.

Two days before the test

• Revise Biology diagrams, definitions, processes and frequently confused terms.

• Review Chemistry reactions, formulas and core concepts.

• Practise Physics formulas and short numerical questions.

• Complete a short mixed MCQ session under timed conditions.

• Check the admit card and examination centre.

• Prepare identification documents, stationery and travel arrangements.

One day before the test

• Revise high-yield notes instead of attempting a full new chapter.

• Practise English vocabulary, sentence correction and comprehension items.

• Review logical reasoning patterns.

• Solve selected MCQs from all five sections.

• Stop heavy study early enough to sleep properly.

• Recheck the route and expected travel time.

On exam day

• Reach the centre early.

• Carry the required original identification document.

• Keep the admit card accessible.

• Follow the invigilator’s instructions.

• Read each question carefully.

• Since the official pattern states there is no negative marking, avoid leaving questions unanswered if you can eliminate options or make a reasoned attempt.pmdc

This last point is a test-taking suggestion based on the published no-negative-marking rule, not a substitute for reading the instructions given at the centre.

What Candidates Should Not Do

• Do not rely on old MDCAT dates from August.

• Do not assume that every province uses the same admit-card portal.

• Do not carry only a mobile screenshot if printed documents are required.

• Do not change the official subject weightage based on coaching-centre rumours.

• Do not travel to a different city without checking the centre shown on the admit card.

• Do not share your CNIC, password or admit-card details publicly.

E-E-A-T Reinforcement

This update gives priority to PM&DC and admitting-university notices, with Dawn and The Nation used for the latest candidate count and ministerial announcement. The exam date and pattern should still be checked against the latest official notice because exam-centre instructions can change close to test day.pmdc+3

Suggested Internal Links

Use these links only if the corresponding articles are available on IlmiWorld.com:

• [MDCAT 2026 syllabus and subject-wise weightage]

• [How to download the MDCAT admit card]

• [MDCAT preparation tips for Biology, Chemistry and Physics]

• [MDCAT eligibility criteria for MBBS and BDS]

• [MDCAT result and answer-key updates]

• [Medical colleges in Punjab and Pakistan]

Suggested anchor text should describe the destination clearly, such as MDCAT 2026 syllabus and subject-wise weightage.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is MDCAT 2026?

MDCAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, 20 September 2026. The date was revised after the test was postponed from 16 August.pmdc+1

How many questions are in MDCAT 2026?

The MDCAT 2026 paper contains 180 MCQs. The subject distribution is Biology 81, Chemistry 45, Physics 36, English 9 and Logical Reasoning 9.pmdc

Is there negative marking in MDCAT 2026?

No. PM&DC’s MDCAT 2026 notice states that the 180-question test has no negative marking.pmdc

How many candidates are registered for MDCAT 2026?

According to data compiled by participating universities and submitted to PM&DC, 138,158 candidates are expected to take MDCAT 2026.dawn

Which university is conducting MDCAT in Punjab?

The University of Health Sciences, Lahore, is conducting MDCAT for Punjab. It has registered 49,198 candidates, the largest number among the participating universities.dawn

Where can I download the MDCAT 2026 admit card?

Candidates should use the official admit-card portal or notice of the university conducting the test in their province or region. UHS and SZABMU have published MDCAT 2026 admit-card information on their official websites.uhs+1

What should I take to the MDCAT examination centre?

Carry your admit card and the original identification document required by your admitting university. UHS specifically lists the original CNIC or Juvenile Identity Card for entry.uhs

Is the MDCAT 2026 syllabus changed?

The confirmed update changes the paper arrangements and confirms the 180-question structure. Candidates should use the official PM&DC syllabus rather than assuming that all syllabus content has changed. The PM&DC notice provides the subject distribution and links the syllabus to its official website.pmdc

Will there be different MDCAT question papers?

The health minister stated that two separate 180-question papers were sent to each province, with preparation based on an 8,000-question bank.nation.com

Conclusion

MDCAT 2026 is scheduled for 20 September, with a confirmed 180-question paper and no negative marking. Candidates should check the latest admit card, verify the examination centre, carry the required original identification, and spend the final hours on targeted revision and exam-day planning.