Students Seeking Medical Education Abroad Exempted From MDCAT

According to The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has, pakistani students seeking medical or dental education abroad will no longer be required to pass MDCAT.

Key points

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• The matter was additionally discussed by the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services.
• Nevertheless, PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj informed Dawn that a parliamentary committee had recommended that students going abroad should not be required to clear MDCAT.
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• In a notice posted on X, the PMDC remarked the decision was taken in its gathering held on September 14.

For context, the council remarked it had decided to exempt Pakistani students seeking admission to foreign medical and dental institutions from the mandatory requirement of passing MDCAT. The notice did not explain the reason for the decision. Health Minister Orders Inquiry into MDCAT 2026.

In practice, the matter was additionally discussed by the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services. It pointed out reservations over the council's earlier policy requiring MDCAT for students seeking admission to foreign medical institutions. Pic.twitter.com/zw6EIsprWl. Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (@pmdcofficial) October 5, 2026.

In practice, the committee had additionally recommended stronger regulation of substandard foreign medical institutions and the publication of a list of institutions that do not meet the required standards.

In an earlier session, a Senate sub-committee had questioned the legality of making MDCAT mandatory for foreign admissions and stated the policy lacked clear statutory backing.

PMDC authorities had stated the rule was meant to discourage admissions to substandard foreign institutions, but committee members questioned how MDCAT would achieve that goal.

After the new decision, a PMDC official remarked students studying abroad will no longer need to clear MDCAT, but those seeking transfer to a university in Pakistan midway through their studies will still need to pass the National Examination Board assessment.

Meanwhile, the official continued that students who want to practice in Pakistan after completing their studies abroad will additionally have to pass the registration exam for foreign medical graduates.

For context, the NEB exam is held twice a year by the PMDC for medical graduates who studied abroad and seek transfer or admission in Pakistan.

Foreign graduates must additionally pass a registration exam to secure a licence for house job and medical practice in Pakistan. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around students Seeking Medical Education Abroad Exempted From MDCAT point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.