MDCAT exams, Dow University, Karachi Sindh October 26, 2025 Photo: Our correspondent
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Wednesday announced a major revision in the Medical and Dental College Entrance Test (MDCAT) schedule, aimed at streamlining the medical admission process and reducing wait times for students.
Under the new policy, the MDCAT will now be held within a month of the FSC exams.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal approved the change, calling it a positive development that would help students maintain academic continuity and complete their preparation without losing momentum.
PMDC Chairman Dr. Rizwan Taj confirmed The Express PK Press Club that the policy would be implemented for the 2026 FSC exams. He explained that reducing the gap between exams would allow students to move to the next stage faster, while also making admissions to medical schools faster and more organized.
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“The new timetable was approved by the provincial authorities, who expressed their readiness to conduct the exams as per the revised timetable,” Dr Taj said, adding that the MDCAT was conducted smoothly with no incidents of paper leaks, disruptions or cheating like last year.
In 2025, a total of 140,125 candidates registered for the entrance examination nationwide. The examination was held in nine cities and ten centers of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Larkana and Sukkur.
However, some students have expressed concerns about the feasibility of the new schedule. They pointed out that the FSC exams were traditional written tests, while the MDCAT was entirely multiple choice, requiring different preparation strategies.
Students were concerned that the short gap of a few weeks would not give them enough time to prepare effectively for the two exams, which could affect their performance.
Education experts and students have suggested that interim guidance and support be provided to help candidates adjust to the new schedule. Some have also proposed lowering the FSC passing threshold from 40% to 20-30% to allow students to devote more time to their MDCAT preparation.
The move sparked debate in academic circles, with its supporters calling it a time-saving measure, while its critics warned of increased academic pressure and increased stress on students. The impact of the new policy will be closely monitored during this year’s FSC exams, with potential long-term implications for medical education in Pakistan.
