138,158 applicants have registered for MDCAT 2026, which is now taking place in Pakistan.

The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 is taking place today across Pakistan with 138,158 candidates registered for the entrance examination.

The test began at 10am and will last for three hours, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) said.

We have set up examination centers in 34 locations in the country and also in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Punjab had the greatest number of registered candidates with 49,199 followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 38,841 and Sindh with 34,233 candidates.

In Balochistan, there are 9,923 candidates registered, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir 2,761, in Gilgit-Baltistan 1,721 and in Islamabad 1,245. Another 237 individuals can take the test at the center in Riyadh.

PMDC says it had prepared a question bank of 8,000 questions for MDCAT 2026. Separate question papers have been prepared for each province and at least two more papers have been developed.

Each paper will have 180 questions.

The PMDC stated the examination is being held through the provincial government and selected universities. The question papers may be retained by the relevant universities following the test.

Candidates will not be permitted to leave the examination center till the completion of the examination. Candidates must remain seated till the finish of the examination.

After the test, applicants should be expected to give over their question papers to the invigilating personnel before leaving the center. In case the question paper is not returned, the result of the candidate may be canceled.

Examination centers have also banned the use of mobile phones and other digital gadgets.

The absence of the required juvenile card is one big change this year. Candidates without juvenile cards will be allowed to take the examination but authorities will verify their identity using the original marks sheet at the examination center.

Candidates are recommended to adhere to all the guidelines about identification and papers required to avoid any inconvenience.