Pakistan is set to conduct the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, giving overseas Pakistani students an opportunity to appear in the entrance examination without travelling to Pakistan.
The MDCAT 2026 is scheduled for September 20, 2026, and Riyadh is the only international test centre announced for this year’s examination. According to the latest information, the test will be conducted at 35 locations, including 34 centres across Pakistan and one centre in Riyadh. A total of 138,160 candidates are expected to participate.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has also listed the September 20 date in its official notices after the examination was rescheduled.
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MDCAT 2026 Riyadh Test Date and Key Details
For students living in Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh centre is particularly important because it provides an international option for candidates seeking admission to Pakistani medical and dental colleges.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Examination | MDCAT 2026 |
| Test Date | September 20, 2026 |
| International Centre | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Total Test Locations | 35 |
| Centres in Pakistan | 34 |
| Expected Candidates | 138,160 |
| Test Purpose | Admission to medical and dental colleges |
| Regulatory Body | Pakistan Medical and Dental Council |
Riyadh Is the Only International MDCAT Centre
Riyadh has been selected as the international venue for MDCAT 2026. The city was also used as an overseas examination centre in the previous year.
This arrangement is particularly relevant for Pakistani students and families living in Saudi Arabia who want to pursue MBBS or BDS education in Pakistan.
Candidates appearing in Riyadh should follow the instructions provided by the relevant authorities regarding their examination centre, reporting requirements and other test-day arrangements.
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MDCAT 2026 Examination Arrangements
The government has said that measures are being taken to conduct the examination in a secure and transparent manner. PMDC has published multiple updates concerning arrangements for MDCAT 2026, including a recent press release on examination arrangements.
The examination system this year also includes measures intended to reduce the risk of a problem with a single question paper affecting candidates across the country.
According to the report, a large question bank was prepared by subject experts, with separate papers planned for different provinces. The stated purpose of this arrangement is to strengthen examination security and reduce the impact of any potential paper-related issue.
What Overseas Students Should Know
Students appearing from Riyadh should keep the following points in mind:
- The MDCAT 2026 test date is September 20, 2026.
- Riyadh is the announced international examination location.
- Candidates should carefully check their allotted examination centre and instructions.
- Students should reach the centre according to the reporting instructions issued by the relevant authorities.
- Candidates should carry the required documents and examination materials.
- Any last-minute instructions should be checked through official PMDC or relevant university channels.
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MDCAT and Medical College Admissions in Pakistan
MDCAT is a key component of the admission process for medical and dental education in Pakistan. Students who want to pursue MBBS or BDS generally need to meet the applicable eligibility requirements and admission criteria set by the relevant authorities and institutions.
The examination has also remained at the centre of discussion because the number of students seeking medical education is considerably higher than the available seats.
According to the report, Pakistan currently has around 22,300 MBBS and BDS seats across public and private medical colleges. A Senate health committee has recently discussed possible changes to the admission system, including the number of seats and the role of MDCAT in admissions.
These proposals are separate from the conduct of the September 20 MDCAT examination and should not be treated as changes to the current test unless officially notified.
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MDCAT 2026 Test Pattern
The official PMDC MDCAT notice states that the test consists of 180 multiple-choice questions and is conducted in English. The published subject distribution is as follows:
| Subject | MCQs |
|---|---|
| Biology | 81 |
| Chemistry | 45 |
| Physics | 36 |
| English | 9 |
| Logical Reasoning | 9 |
| Total | 180 |
The official notice also states that there is no negative marking.
Check Official MDCAT Updates
Students should rely on official PMDC announcements for any changes to the examination date, centre arrangements, registration, test-day instructions or other important matters. PMDC’s website currently carries MDCAT-related public notices and press releases.
For regular Pakistan education, admissions, results, scholarships, jobs and MDCAT updates, students can also follow Taleem Hub.pk for the latest information.
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Final Words
The MDCAT 2026 Riyadh examination will take place on September 20, 2026, alongside examination centres across Pakistan. With more than 138,000 candidates expected to participate nationwide, the test is an important step for students seeking admission to medical and dental colleges.
For overseas Pakistani students in Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh centre provides a dedicated opportunity to appear in MDCAT without travelling to Pakistan. Candidates should continue checking official PMDC announcements for any last-minute instructions or changes before appearing in the examination.
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