Students Seeking Medical Education Abroad Exempted From MDCAT

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced that Pakistani students seeking medical or dental education in foreign institutions will no longer be required to take the MDCAT (Medical and Dental Colleges Admissions Test). This decision was made during a PMDC meeting held on September 14, as announced via their official X account.

While the council did not provide a reason for the exemption, PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj indicated that a parliamentary committee had recommended the change. The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services also voiced concerns over the PMDC's previous policy mandating MDCAT for students pursuing education abroad. The committee had previously questioned the legality of the policy, noting its lack of statutory backing.

The PMDC's earlier explanation suggested the rule aimed to discourage admissions to substandard foreign institutions, a claim committee members found questionable due to the unproven link between MDCAT and such outcomes. Following the new ruling, PMDC officials clarified that students currently studying abroad would not need to pass the MDCAT.

However, those transferring to a Pakistani university during their studies would still be required to take the National Examination Board (NEB) assessment. Additionally, foreign medical graduates planning to practice in Pakistan would still need to pass the registration exam for foreign medical graduates. This exam, administered twice a year by the PMDC, is mandatory for medical graduates who studied abroad and wish to transfer or gain admission in Pakistan.