Is MDCAT still required for MBBS/BDS in Pakistan?

Yes. This change affects only admission to foreign institutions. MDCAT remains the entry test for public and private medical and dental colleges in Pakistan.

Which foreign institutions qualify under the exemption?

The institution must be recognised by PMDC — listed in the WFME/World Directory. Admission to a non-recognised institution does not help you register or practise in Pakistan, regardless of the MDCAT exemption.

Do I still need to pass the NRE after a foreign MBBS?

Yes. Graduates of foreign medical institutions must still pass the National Registration Examination (NRE) to practise in Pakistan. The exemption removed only the MDCAT prerequisite, not the NRE.

What if I start abroad and transfer to a Pakistani institution later?

You must clear the PMDC-run NEB assessment, which is held twice a year, before transferring into a Pakistani institution.

Is the FSc 60% requirement changed?

No. FSc pre-medical with 60% marks remains a requirement for foreign medical/dental admission.

Does the exemption apply to students who already enrolled abroad without passing MDCAT?

PMDC has not clarified the effective session or retrospective application. Until it does, this remains unanswered, do not assume it covers your case.

NewsMDCATPublished 7 October 2026

PMDC drops MDCAT requirement for MBBS/BDS abroad

Q: Where can I read the PMDC notice myself?

The notice is listed on the PMDC website under the title "Public Notice Regarding Exemption of MDCAT for seeking Admission in Foreign Institutions" and was also posted by PMDC on X. Always verify policy changes against the official source before acting on them.

Last updated: 7 October 2026

PMDC drops MDCAT requirement for MBBS/BDS abroad

In brief

PMDC has announced that Pakistani students seeking MBBS/BDS admission at foreign institutions no longer need to have passed MDCAT. Here is what the notice changes, what stays the same, and what is still unclear.

Written by Zahid Hussain, editorReport an error

What PMDC announced

On 5 October 2026, PMDC issued a public notice exempting Pakistani students seeking MBBS/BDS admission at foreign medical and dental institutions from the mandatory MDCAT-pass prerequisite. The decision was taken at the PMDC council meeting on 14 September 2026.

According to reports, the PMDC President said the move followed a parliamentary committee recommendation. The notice is listed on the PMDC website as "Public Notice Regarding Exemption of MDCAT for seeking Admission in Foreign Institutions" and was also posted by PMDC on X.

The old rule

Since the 2024-25 session, students heading abroad for medical or dental studies needed at least 50% in MDCAT to keep their foreign undergraduate degree in PMDC's registration pathway. PMDC reiterated this requirement as recently as May 2026.

The Senate Standing Committee on Health questioned the legality of this requirement in June and again on 15 September 2026. The 5 October notice gives no reasons for the change.

What stays the same

The exemption covers only the MDCAT prerequisite. Everything else is unchanged:

FSc pre-medical with 60% marks — still required.
The foreign institution must be PMDC-recognised — listed in the WFME/World Directory.
Graduates must still pass the National Registration Examination (NRE) to practise in Pakistan.

If you complete a foreign MBBS and plan to practise at home, the NRE remains the gate — it has not been removed.

Students who transfer back mid-studies

One rule new students should know: if you begin your studies abroad and later transfer into a Pakistani institution, you must clear the PMDC-run NEB assessment, which is held twice a year. Plan for this before you commit to a foreign programme with a transfer in mind.

The open question: which session does this cover?

PMDC has not specified the effective session, and it is unclear whether the exemption applies retrospectively to students who enrolled abroad after 2024-25 without passing MDCAT. This is the single biggest unanswered question in the notice. Until PMDC clarifies it, do not assume it covers your case — verify against the official notice or a PMDC-recognised channel before making any decision.

What this means for MDCAT 2027 aspirants

This change affects the foreign-MBBS-as-fallback route only. MDCAT is still required for MBBS and BDS in Pakistan — that has not changed, and your 2027 preparation is exactly where it was. The one thing you control is preparation: the free question bank at TestUstad is the place to build it.