Pakistan Medical Council removes MDCAT requirement for foreign medical students
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council announced in Islamabad on Monday that Pakistani students no longer need to pass the MDCAT to study medicine or dentistry abroad.
Council meeting approves exemption
The council approved this change during a meeting held on September 14, 2026. An official notice issued on Monday confirmed that the test is no longer a mandatory prerequisite for admission to foreign institutions.
Parliamentary committee influence
PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj stated that a parliamentary committee recommended exempting these students from the exam. The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services previously highlighted discrepancies in the policy requiring the test for overseas applicants.
Future regulatory steps
The Senate committee also discussed regulating substandard foreign medical institutions during its meeting on September 15. They recommended preparing a public list of institutions that do not meet prescribed standards.
2 outlets, different leads
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Associated Press of Pakistan
MDCAT no longer mandatory for foreign medical admission
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Dawn
Students pursuing medical, dental studies abroad no longer required to pass MDCAT
Reported by
2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.