The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced the establishment of new examination centres for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025 aiming to make the process easier for students from Sindh and Balochistan.
Under the revised plan, candidates from these provinces will now be able to appear for the exam in Islamabad while Jacobabad has been added as an additional centre to serve students from upper Sindh.
Jacobabad Centre to Ease Travel Burden
Previously, MDCAT candidates in Sindh could only appear from centres in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sukkur. Students from remote districts often faced long and costly travel to reach Karachi or other big cities.
By including Jacobabad, PMDC aims to provide more accessible options. A local female candidate expressed relief at the decision saying she would now attempt the test in her hometown instead of traveling nine hours to Karachi.
“Last year I had to travel to Karachi which caused stress and affected my performance,” she told reporters.
Islamabad Centre for Federal Capital Students
In addition to Jacobabad, Sukkur IBA University and Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences (Quetta) will jointly establish a centre in Islamabad.
This move is expected to benefit not only students from Sindh and Balochistan but also those already living in the capital for exam preparation. In past years, such students were forced to return to their home provinces to sit the MDCAT.
Dr. Asif Ahmed Shaikh, Vice Chancellor of Sukkur IBA University recalled that last year the institution was tasked with conducting a retake in Sindh after reports of a paper leak.
“Although we had little time, the test was held transparently, and minor technical issues were corrected quickly,” he said.
Registration Timeline
A PMDC spokesperson confirmed that registration for MDCAT 2025 began on August 8 and will continue until August 25. Late registration will remain open until September 1, 2025.
The test centres both new and existing will be used to conduct the examination for thousands of aspiring medical and dental students across Pakistan.
Why New Centres Matter
- Jacobabad: Reduces travel time and costs for students from northern Sindh.
- Islamabad: Provides easier access for Sindh and Balochistan students based in the federal capital.
- Student Benefit: Less travel stress, better exam readiness and more equitable access to opportunities.
