--- title: "Over 138,000 candidates take MDCAT across Pakistan and Saudi Arabia" description: "Most outlets reported the overall number of candidates taking the MDCAT, with Dawn specifying the total as 138,158 and noting the test was conducted in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Business Recorder focused on Punjab, mentioning 47,501 candidates and emphasizing the test was conducted \"peacefully and smoothly\" with no incidents reported." url: https://harzaviya.com/stories/8859-mdcat-2026-each-province-gets-2-separate-question-papers site: HarZaviya language: en --- # Over 138,000 candidates take MDCAT across Pakistan and Saudi Arabia pakistan · updated 21 Sep 2026, 3:05 PM PKT · 16–21 Sep 2026 · 49 articles from 17 outlets over 5 developments ## How it developed Newest development first. Each carries its own coverage and, where we have one, our summary of it. ### 21 Sep 2026 — Over 138,000 candidates take MDCAT across Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (3 outlets) > Most outlets reported the overall number of candidates taking the MDCAT, with Dawn specifying the total as 138,158 and noting the test was conducted in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Business Recorder focused on Punjab, mentioning 47,501 candidates and emphasizing the test was conducted "peacefully and smoothly" with no incidents reported. - **ProPakistani** — [SZABMU Releases MDCAT Answer Key 2026](https://propakistani.pk/2026/09/21/szabmu-releases-mdcat-answer-key-2026/) · 21 Sep 2026, 3:05 PM PKT > The Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) has released the official MDCAT 2026 answer key for the test held… Read More - **Dawn** — [Over 138,000 take MDCAT across the country](https://www.dawn.com/news/2031442/over-138000-take-mdcat-across-the-country) · 21 Sep 2026, 8:08 AM PKT · 62% identical wording to the newest filing > ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Sunday claimed that it successfully conducted the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) in the country and Saudi Arabia for 138,158 registered candidates. A total of 49,199 candidates were registered from Punjab, 38,841 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 34,233 from Sindh, 9,923 from Balochistan, 2,761 from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, ... - **Business Recorder** — [47,501 candidates appear in Punjab MDCAT](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40440444/47501-candidates-appear-in-punjab-mdcat) · 21 Sep 2026, 6:58 AM PKT · 66% identical wording to the newest filing > LAHORE: The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 was conducted peacefully and smoothly across Punjab on Sunday, with no untoward incident reported from any of the 31 examination centres established in 15 cities. The test was conducted by the University of Health Sciences (UHS). It started at 10:00am and concluded at 1:00pm. According to the attendance data, 49,203 candidates w... ### 20 Sep 2026 — MDCAT 2026 held across Pakistan and Riyadh with over 138,000 candidates (10 outlets) > Most outlets reported the nationwide conduct of the MDCAT 2026, highlighting the number of candidates (over 138,000) and the 34 centres across Pakistan and one in Riyadh. Some outlets, particularly 24 News HD, focused on the Punjab-specific details, mentioning 49,201 candidates and 31 centres. A few also noted the peaceful conduct of the exam in Punjab. Others, like Daily Pakistan and Pakistan Observer, included mentions of question papers and answer keys, though these were not covered in the majority of the excerpts. Overall, the framing was largely consistent, with variations in regional emphasis and supplementary details. - **The Nation** — [MDCAT 2026 concludes nationwide as 138,160 candidates appear](https://www.nation.com.pk/21-Sep-2026/mdcat-2026-concludes-nationwide-138-160-candidates-appear) · 21 Sep 2026, 4:10 AM PKT > PESHAWAR/KARACHI/LAHORE/QUETTA - The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 successfully concluded across Pakistan on Sunday, with thousands of candidates appearing for the test for admission to medical and dental colleges. - **24 News HD** — [UHS releases answer key for MDCAT 2026](https://www.24newshd.tv/20-Sep-2026/uhs-releases-answer-key-mdcat-2026) · 20 Sep 2026, 11:39 PM PKT · 63% identical wording to the newest filing > The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has released the answer key for the MDCAT 2026 examination held today, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday. - **Pakistan Observer** — [MDCAT 2026: UHS Releases Answer Key for Candidates to Self-Score](https://pakobserver.net/mdcat-2026-uhs-releases-answer-key-for-candidates-to-self-score/) · 20 Sep 2026, 8:44 PM PKT · 64% identical wording to the newest filing > The University of Health Sciences (UHS) released the answer key for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026… - **Associated Press of Pakistan** — [PM&DC President visits MDCAT exam centres](https://www.app.com.pk/national/pmdc-president-visits-mdcat-exam-centres/) · 20 Sep 2026, 6:45 PM PKT · 67% identical wording to the newest filing > ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (APP):President Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj on Sunday visited MDCAT 2026 examination centres at Air University and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, to review the arrangements and observe the conduct of the examination. MDCAT 2026 was successfully conducted across the country for 138,158 registered... - **Minute Mirror** — [MDCAT 2026 concludes across Pakistan with over 138...](https://minutemirror.com.pk/mdcat-2026-concludes-across-pakistan-with-over-138000-candidates-632871/) · 20 Sep 2026, 6:01 PM PKT · 86% identical wording to the newest filing > MDCAT 2026 concludes across Pakistan with over 138,000 candidates - **Hum News English** — [Over 138,000 candidates appear in MDCAT 2026 across Pakistan](https://humenglish.com/latest/over-138000-candidates-appear-in-mdcat-2026-across-pakistan/) · 20 Sep 2026, 5:19 PM PKT · 88% identical wording to the newest filing > ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI: More than 138,000 candidates appeared in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 across Pakistan and at an international centre in Riyadh on Sunday, with the examination conducted under heightened security following previous concerns over paper leaks. According to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), 138,160 candidates registered for this ... - **Dunya News** — [MDCAT 2026 concludes across Pakistan with 138,158 candidates registered](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/973771-mdcat-2026-concludes-across-pakistan-with-138158-candidates-registere) · 20 Sep 2026, 2:51 PM PKT · 79% identical wording to the newest filing > Examination centres have been established in 34 cities across the country, as well as in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - **Daily Pakistan (English)** — [MDCAT 2026 KMU Answer Key: Question Paper and Official Key](https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/20-Sep-2026/mdcat-2026-kmu-answer-key-question-paper-and-official-key) · 20 Sep 2026, 12:05 PM PKT · 74% identical wording to the newest filing > MDCAT 2026 is being held today, Sunday, 20 September 2026. Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar, is conducting the test for candidates in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 38,841 applicants registered, the second-largest group after Punjab. The exam was originally scheduled for 16 August and postponed on the Prime Minister’s directions, and more than 2,000 additional candidates registered […] - **ARY News (English)** — [MDCAT 2026: Over 138,000 candidates appear for exams across Pakistan](https://arynews.tv/mdcat-2026-over-138000-candidates-appear-for-test-in-pakistan) · 20 Sep 2026, 10:32 AM PKT · 83% identical wording to the newest filing > Get ready for MDCAT 2026. Learn about the exam dates, registration, and examination centers across Pakistan. - **BOL News** — [MDCAT 2026 begins across Pakistan and Riyadh](https://www.bolnews.com/pakistan/mdcat-2026-begins-across-pakistan-and-riyadh) · 20 Sep 2026, 10:07 AM PKT · 78% identical wording to the newest filing > More than 138,000 aspiring doctors and dentists are taking the MDCAT 2026 today, Sept. 20, as Pakistan’s nationwide medical entrance exam gets underway at centers across the country and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ### 19 Sep 2026 — MDCAT 2026 to be held across Pakistan and Riyadh on September 20 (8 outlets) > Most outlets reported the nationwide administration of the MDCAT 2026 on September 20, with some specifying the inclusion of a test center in Riyadh. Several emphasized local details, such as the number of candidates in Lahore or Punjab, while others highlighted the total number of registrants (138,160). A few noted gender breakdowns or the number of exam centers in specific cities like Karachi and Lahore. The framing was largely uniform, with variations in the regional or numerical details provided. - **The Express Tribune** — [MDCAT 2026 held across Pakistan as thousands of candidates sit exam](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2630335/mdcat-2026-held-across-pakistan-as-thousands-of-candidates-sit-exam) · 20 Sep 2026, 6:29 AM PKT > PMDC says a total of 138,160 candidates have registered for entrance examination this year - **Daily Times** — [MDCAT 2026 to be held across Pakistan, Riyadh today](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1555558/mdcat-2026-to-be-held-across-pakistan-riyadh-today/) · 20 Sep 2026, 4:54 AM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will conduct the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 on Sunday, September 20, across 34 cities in Pakistan and at an international examination centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The examination was originally scheduled for August 16 but was postponed to September 20 at the direction of […] - **Business Recorder** — [49,201 candidates to appear: UHS finalises arrangements for MDCAT 2026](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40440311/49201-candidates-to-appear-uhs-finalises-arrangements-for-mdcat-2026) · 20 Sep 2026, 2:15 AM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > LAHORE: The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has finalised comprehensive arrangements for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026, which will be held across Punjab on Sunday (today) at 31 examination centres in 15 cities. A total of 49,201 candidates are registered for the test, including 36,633 females and 12,568 males. In Lahore, 12,030 candidates will appear, comprising... - **Pakistan Today** — [MDCAT 2026 to be held across Pakistan, Riyadh on September 20](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/09/19/mdcat-2026-to-be-held-across-pakistan-riyadh-on-september-20) · 19 Sep 2026, 10:50 PM PKT · 79% identical wording to the newest filing > The examination will be held simultaneously at designated centres for candidates seeking admission to medical and dental colleges. - **24 News HD** — [MDCAT 2026: Over 138,000 candidates to appear tomorrow](https://www.24newshd.tv/19-Sep-2026/mdcat-2026-138-000-candidates-appear-tomorrow) · 19 Sep 2026, 8:58 PM PKT · 77% identical wording to the newest filing > Medical and Dental College Admission Test MDCAT 2026 examination for admission to medical and dental colleges will be held across Pakistan and at a centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, September 20, with the test scheduled to begin at 10am, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel. - **Geo News** — [MDCAT 2026 to be held across Pakistan, Riyadh on Sept 20: PMDC](https://www.geo.tv/latest/682798-mdcat-2026-to-be-held-across-pakistan-riyadh-on-sept-20-pmdc) · 19 Sep 2026, 7:17 PM PKT · 79% identical wording to the newest filing > In this file photo, candidates appear in the entry test for MBBS/BDS session 2020 conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences in Rawalpindi. — APP/FileThe Pakistan Medical and Dental Council will conduct the Medical and Dental College Admission Test 2026 on... - **ARY News (English)** — [MDCAT 2026 set for Sunday; Sindh establishes 9 exam centers including 2 in Karachi](https://arynews.tv/mdcat-2026-set-for-sunday-sindh-establishes-9-exam-centers-including-2-in-karachi) · 19 Sep 2026, 6:27 PM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > KARACHI: The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 will be held across the country on Sunday, September 20... - **Dunya News** — [MDCAT 2026 to be held tomorrow nationwide](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Health/973705-mdcat-2026-to-be-held-tomorrow-nationwide) · 19 Sep 2026, 6:13 PM PKT · 85% identical wording to the newest filing > MDCAT 2026 will be held across 34 Pakistani cities and Riyadh, with 138,160 candidates registered for the medical admission examination. ### 18 Sep 2026 — MDCAT 2026 exam to be held on September 20 across multiple cities (5 outlets) > Most outlets reported the MDCAT 2026 exam date as September 20, with some specifying the number of candidates or cities involved. Pakistan Today provided the highest candidate count (138,158) and mentioned international participation in Riyadh, while BOL News and Minute Mirror focused on the Sindh cities and the general date, respectively. Dunya News added details about the paper dispatch and security measures in Punjab. - **Pakistan Today** — [PM&DC finalises MDCAT arrangements as 138,158 candidates set for Sept 20 test](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/09/18/pmanddc-finalises-mdcat-arrangements-as-138158-candidates-set-for-sept-20-test) · 18 Sep 2026, 10:01 PM PKT > PM&DC reviews final arrangements for MDCAT 2026, with 138,158 candidates set to appear on Sept 20 at 34 cities and towns across Pakistan and an international centre in Riyadh. Universities may retain question papers to strengthen examination security, confidentiality and transparency. - **BOL News** — [MDCAT exam set for Sep 20 across seven Sindh cities](https://bolnews.com/health/mdcat-exam-set-for-sep-20-across-seven-sindh-cities) · 18 Sep 2026, 9:24 PM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > The test will be conducted in Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sukkur. - **Minute Mirror** — [MDCAT 2026 to be held on September 20](https://minutemirror.com.pk/mdcat-2026-to-be-held-on-september-20-631972/) · 18 Sep 2026, 4:26 PM PKT · 76% identical wording to the newest filing > The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 will be conducted on September 20, with - **24 News HD** — [MDCAT 2026 exam to be held on Sunday](https://www.24newshd.tv/18-Sep-2026/mdcat-2026-exam-held-sunday) · 18 Sep 2026, 12:17 PM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > The MDCAT 2026 examination for admission to medical and dental colleges will be held on September 20 (Sunday), reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday. - **Dunya News** — [MDCAT 2026 papers dispatched to 14 cities under tight security](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Business/973501-mdcat-2026-papers-dispatched-to-14-cities-under-tight-security) · 18 Sep 2026, 11:15 AM PKT · 85% identical wording to the newest filing > MDCAT 2026 papers have been dispatched from Lahore under tight security ahead of the September 20 test, with over 49,000 candidates expected at 31 centres across 15 Punjab cities. ### 16 Sep 2026 — MDCAT 2026 to be held on September 20 with revised exam system (3 outlets) > Most outlets led with the announcement of the MDCAT 2026 exam date and the introduction of changes to the exam system. The Nation and ProPakistani highlighted the revised system, with the latter specifically noting the provision of two separate question papers for each province. Pakistan Today focused on the responsibility of provinces and universities for ensuring transparency in the exam, and mentioned the number of candidates and cities where the test will be held. - **Pakistan Today** — [Provinces, varsities responsible for transparent MDCAT 2026: Kamal](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/09/16/provinces-varsities-responsible-for-transparent-mdcat-2026-kamal) · 16 Sep 2026, 11:15 PM PKT > Health Minister Mustafa Kamal says provinces and universities will be responsible for transparent MDCAT 2026, with 138,160 candidates appearing in 34 Pakistani cities and Riyadh on Sept 20. PM&DC has prepared an 8,000-question bank and provided two 180-question papers to each provinc - **ProPakistani** — [MDCAT 2026: Each Province Gets 2 Separate Question Papers](https://propakistani.pk/2026/09/16/mdcat-2026-each-province-gets-2-separate-question-papers/) · 16 Sep 2026, 7:42 PM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has said the universities conducting the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026… Read More - **The Nation** — [MDCAT 2026 to be held on September 20 with revised exam system](https://www.nation.com.pk/16-Sep-2026/mdcat-2026-held-september-20-revised-exam-system) · 16 Sep 2026, 2:59 PM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday announced that the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 will be held on September 20, with several changes introduced to the examination system. ## Part of a bigger story Other stories whose coverage resembles this one, nearest first. "% related" compares whole stories, not single articles — see [what the percentages mean](https://harzaviya.com/methodology). - [MDCAT 2026 to be held across Sindh on September 20](https://harzaviya.com/stories/7483-mdcat-2026-to-be-held-across-sindh-on-september-20) · 10 Sep 2026 · 4 outlets · 90% related - [Provisional MDCAT 2026 results released in Sindh](https://harzaviya.com/stories/10470-uhs-mdcat-2026-results-out-check-here) · 26 Sep 2026 · 6 outlets · 3 developments · 89% related - [MDCAT 2026 rescheduled to September 20 on PM's directives](https://harzaviya.com/stories/2029-mdcat-2026-rescheduled-in-pakistan-check-new-date) · 7 Aug 2026 · 10 outlets · 3 developments · 87% related - [Punjab finalises security plan for MDCAT 2026](https://harzaviya.com/stories/9101-punjab-home-dept-finalises-security-plan-for-mdcat) · 19 Sep 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 developments · 84% related - [Sindh announces MDCAT 2026 entrance test date](https://harzaviya.com/stories/1048-sindh-announces-mdcat-2026-entrance-test-date) · 31 Jul 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 developments · 83% related 49 articles from 17 outlets, 16–21 Sep 2026. 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