The government has announced a major change in the schedule of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MD-CAT), reducing the preparation gap from six months to only one week. The move is aimed at improving the admission system for medical and dental colleges across Pakistan.

The decision was announced by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), which said the new schedule will make the admission process faster, more transparent, and better organized for students seeking entry into medical education.

Under the new plan, the MD-CAT exam will be conducted within 1 week of the completion of the FSc examinations. Officials believe this step will eliminate the long waiting period students previously faced before appearing for the entrance test.

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Authorities say the change will help students continue their academic journey without unnecessary delays. It will also allow universities and colleges to complete the admission process earlier than before.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal described the decision as a positive step for the education system. He said the new policy will help students maintain academic continuity and complete their preparation without losing momentum.

PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj said the new policy will be implemented starting from the 2026 FSc examinations. He added that consultations with provincial authorities have already been completed and all relevant institutions are ready to conduct the test under the new schedule.

Officials also revealed that the MD-CAT exam attracts a very large number of candidates every year. Last year alone, more than 140,000 students appeared in the test at examination centers set up across several cities in the country.

With the revised timeline, the government hopes the admission system will become smoother and quicker for thousands of aspiring doctors and dentists across Pakistan.