Mdcat Conducting Bodies

The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in Pakistan has undergone significant changes in its administration over recent years, reflecting shifts in policy and governance within the healthcare and education sectors of the country.

Establishment of PMC and Initial Structure

In 2020, under the administration of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) was established as the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing medical and dental education in Pakistan. The formation of PMC aimed to streamline the admission process and ensure standardized testing for aspiring medical and dental students across the country. During this period, MDCAT examinations were conducted at a national level, under the auspices of PMC, marking a centralized approach to medical admissions.

Restructuring under New Governance

However, with the change in government in 2023, there came a restructuring of the regulatory framework governing medical education. The PMC was replaced by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), marking a shift in regulatory authority. Alongside this change, the administration of MDCAT examinations also underwent a transformation from a national to a provincial level.

Provincial Administration of MDCAT

Under the current structure, the administration of MDCAT examinations is decentralized across Pakistan’s provinces, each having its own designated authority responsible for conducting the test. These provincial bodies ensure adherence to local educational policies and practices while maintaining the integrity and standardization of the MDCAT process.

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): The Khyber Medical University (KMU) administers the MDCAT annually in the KP province. This ensures that aspiring medical students from KP undergo standardized testing aligned with provincial educational standards.
• Sindh: In Sindh province, the responsibility for conducting MDCAT rests with the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS). DUHS oversees the administration of the test, ensuring that it meets the educational requirements and standards set forth by the provincial government.
• Punjab: The University of Health Sciences Lahore (UHS) is entrusted with conducting MDCAT examinations across various venues in Punjab. This includes major cities such as Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Gujrat, ensuring accessibility and convenience for aspiring students across the province.
• Balochistan: In Balochistan province, the Bolan Medical College administers the MDCAT, ensuring that students from this region have equitable access to standardized medical education testing.