Private Medical Colleges Crying Over Empty Seats – Advised to Lower MDCAT Passing Marks in MBBS and BDS Exam
Ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, private medical colleges all over Pakistan have officially contacted the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) with a serious issue. Because of the current MDCAT eligibility requirements, hundreds of MBBS and BDS seats are unfilled; hence, colleges are looking for a revision in passing marks. The topic has picked up steam as academic planners caution that unfilled seats might have lasting effects on the nation’s healthcare workforce.
Among the organizations spearheading this project is Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), which has submitted a proposal promoting a more flexible admission threshold to cover the increasing gap between available seats and eligible applicants.
Hundreds of MBBS seats still open
Private medical institutions’ data suggest that about 350 MBBS seats have not been filled in the present admissions year. Students failing to meet the required MDCAT passing grades prevented the allocation of these seats despite sufficient infrastructure, instructors, and clinical training capability.
While competition among public sector colleges keeps choices for borderline candidates limited, education experts emphasize that the number of MDCAT test-takers has dropped in some areas. Consequently, private institutions—especially in Sindh—are underused even though they meet legislative criteria.
SMBBMU’s Suggestion to Drop MDCAT Passing Marks
For MBBS programs, SMBBMU has advised lowering the MDCAT passing scores to 45%; for BDS programs, it has recommended 40%. The university contends that rather than aiming to sacrifice academic quality, the project instead seeks to capture present-day ground truths.
Fewer students are qualifying under the current standards, the institution underlined, therefore producing a mismatch between national healthcare requirements and medical education output. Colleges think they may admit deserving students who would otherwise be excluded as a result of minor score variations by slightly modifying the threshold.
Effect on Sindh’s medical system
Particularly in rural areas and small cities, Sindh’s healthcare system still lacks enough qualified medical and dental personnel. University administrators contend that leaving seats empty finally undermines the capacity of the province to generate doctors able to work for underprivileged groups.
Many students who barely miss MDCAT cutoff scores actually finish demanding medical education once admitted, according to medical education stakeholders as well. They believe reducing MDCAT passing scores would help boost the pipeline of prospective healthcare workers without diluting standards under appropriate academic supervision.
Still waiting for PMDC to announce a decision
Official answer to the proposal from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has not yet been issued. The council is expected to carefully assess the request, balancing academic integrity with national healthcare demands.
Especially for private medical schools that depend on full enrollment to maintain operations and teaching hospitals, PMDC’s decision will be essential in determining admissions for the 2025–26 session.
A Critical Moment in Policy for Medical Education
Among teachers, politicians, and parents, the call to drop MDCAT passing scores has generated more debate. Many believe the present circumstances calls for flexible policy-making to prevent squandering of precious educational capacity even as worries about upholding merit stay paramount.
Given Pakistan’s population expansion and rising healthcare issues, making sure medical schools are used as effectively as possible has never been more crucial. As PMDC considers its response to a request that may change the terrain of medical admissions, the following weeks may prove crucial.
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