"When is MDCAT?" is the question every student asks first, and every year the honest answer is the same: PMDC announces it a few months before. That uncertainty is exactly why you should not plan your preparation around a rumoured date. Plan around the earliest realistic date, and treat any extra weeks as a bonus.
This guide explains when MDCAT has been held in recent years, when MDCAT 2027 is likely, how registration works on the PMDC portal, what it costs, and what happens between registration and admission.
MDCAT 2027 date: PMDC has not announced it yet. We update this page as soon as the official notice is out, so bookmark it and check back.
When is MDCAT 2027 expected?
Look at the last two years:
| Year | Registration | Test date |
|---|---|---|
| MDCAT 2025 | August 2025 | October 2025 |
| MDCAT 2026 | 22 June to 8 July 2026 (late fee until 13 July) | First set for 16 August 2026; held on Sunday, 20 September 2026 after a postponement |
Based on recent years, MDCAT 2027 is most likely to fall between August and October 2027, with registration opening several weeks before the test. Until PMDC confirms, prepare as if the test is in August: if it comes later, you simply get more time for full-length papers.
2026 showed why this matters. PMDC first announced the test for 16 August, then postponed it, and MDCAT 2026 was finally held on 20 September. Students who were ready for August lost nothing; they simply had five more weeks of full-length papers.
The MDCAT cycle, step by step
- PMDC notice. PMDC announces the test date, fee, registration window and the university that conducts the test in each province. For MDCAT 2026, Khyber Medical University (KMU) conducted the test in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Online registration. You register on PMDC's MDCAT portal within the normal deadline, or pay a higher fee in the late window.
- Admit card. Shortly before the test, you download your admit card with your roll number and test centre.
- Test day. 180 MCQs in 3 hours. Keep an eye on PMDC's announcements right up to the test, because the date can change: in 2026 it moved from 16 August to 20 September.
- Result and admissions. After the result, you apply to colleges through the admitting university. In KPK that is KMU: cas.kmu.edu.pk for public colleges and caspr.kmu.edu.pk for private colleges. Admissions run in several rounds of merit lists: in 2025-26, every public-sector MBBS and BDS seat was filled by the sixth round on 25 February 2026. See last year's closing aggregates.
How to register for MDCAT
Registration is online. Exact screens change from year to year, but the process looks like this:
- Read the official notice on PMDC's website first, especially the deadlines, fee and eligibility.
- Create your account on the PMDC MDCAT portal with your own mobile number and email. Use details you will still have access to months later.
- Fill in your personal and academic details exactly as they appear on your CNIC or B-Form and your certificates.
- Choose your test centre or city as offered on the form.
- Upload what the form asks for, usually a recent photograph and identity details, following the size and format instructions.
- Pay the fee by the method shown on the portal, before the deadline.
- Check your submission and keep proof of registration and payment: screenshots, the challan or receipt, and your login details.
Do not leave it to the last day. Portals slow down near deadlines, and a small mistake in your name or CNIC number can be hard to fix later. Register in the first week.
MDCAT registration fee
For MDCAT 2026, PMDC's fee for test centres in Pakistan was PKR 9,000 within the normal deadline and PKR 13,000 with the late fee. Fees for international centres were higher. Fees were non-refundable. The MDCAT 2027 fee will be in PMDC's notice; check it there before paying.
Who can register?
Students who have passed FSc Pre-Medical or an equivalent qualification, and those awaiting their result, can usually take MDCAT. Remember that admission has its own requirements: in KPK, KMU asks for at least 65% in FSc for public colleges and 60% for private colleges, plus 55% in MDCAT for MBBS or 50% for BDS. Read MDCAT passing marks and the MDCAT aggregate formula.
Admit card and test day checklist
- Download your admit card as soon as it is available, print it and check your name, photo, roll number and centre.
- Visit your centre the day before if you can, so you know the route and travel time.
- Carry only what is allowed: your admit card and original CNIC or B-Form, and whatever else the official instructions list. Phones and smart watches are not allowed in the hall.
- Arrive early. Gates close before the start time, and late arrivals may not be allowed in.
What to do while you wait for the date
The date is out of your hands; your preparation is not. Work backwards from August:
- Now to early summer: learn and practise every chapter (see how to prepare for MDCAT at home).
- From the date announcement: switch to exam mode with full-length papers, timed past papers and revision of mistakes.
- The last two weeks: no new material. Revise, sleep well and keep your timing sharp.
Frequently asked questions
When will MDCAT 2027 be held?
PMDC has not announced the date yet. Based on recent years, it is likely between August and October 2027. We will update this page when the notice is out.
When does MDCAT registration open?
Usually a few weeks to two months before the test. In 2026, registration opened on 22 June for a test first set for 16 August.
Can the MDCAT date change after it is announced?
Yes. MDCAT 2026 was first announced for 16 August and then postponed to 20 September. Follow PMDC's official announcements, and keep preparing as if the earlier date still stands.
What is the MDCAT registration fee?
For MDCAT 2026 it was PKR 9,000, or PKR 13,000 with the late fee, for centres in Pakistan. Check PMDC's notice for the 2027 fee.
Where do I register for MDCAT?
Online on PMDC's MDCAT portal, linked from PMDC's official website.
Who conducts MDCAT in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
For MDCAT 2026, Khyber Medical University (KMU) conducted the test in KPK. PMDC names the conducting universities in each year's notice.
Can I take MDCAT while waiting for my FSc result?
Generally yes. Check the eligibility section of the official notice for your year.
Be ready before the date is announced
Students who wait for the date to start serious preparation always feel short of time. Start now, follow a plan, and you will be in exam mode by the time PMDC announces the test. Register on ePrepare for a day-by-day study plan, past papers and full-length papers that keep you ready, whatever the date turns out to be.
