KMU-CAT's third round is scheduled for Nov 7-8, 2026 with registration closing Nov 2. Here's the full schedule, eligible programmes, and how to register.
If you want to study a health sciences programme at Khyber Medical University (KMU) or its affiliated institutions, you need to go through KMU-CAT — the university's own Centralized Admission Test. KMU has released its test schedule for the 2026-27 academic session, and if you missed the earlier rounds, there is still a window left. Here is the full breakdown.
The KMU-CAT Schedule
KMU-CAT 2026 is being conducted in multiple rounds rather than a single sitting, which gives students more than one chance to qualify if they miss an earlier date or want to retake the test. The second round of the test was held on October 3 and 4, 2026, with registration for that round having closed on September 28. For students still planning to apply, the third and final announced round is scheduled for November 7 and 8, 2026, with the registration deadline set for November 2, 2026. If you have not registered yet, this November round is your realistic target.
What Programmes Require KMU-CAT
KMU-CAT is not just for MBBS or BDS — it is the common entry test for a wide range of undergraduate health sciences programmes at KMU and its affiliated colleges, including:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Pharm-D
- BS Nursing (Generic)
- BS Allied Health Sciences
- BS Public Health
- BS Medical Microbiology
- BS Human Nutrition and Dietetics
- BS Speech and Language Pathology
- Occupational Therapy
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Audiology
- BS Optometry
- BS Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
- BS Aesthetic and Skincare Technology
If your target programme is on this list, a single KMU-CAT score is generally what feeds into your merit calculation for admission, so it is worth treating this test with the same seriousness as any other university entry exam, even if your intended field is not clinical medicine.
Who Can Apply
Candidates who have passed FSc Pre-Medical, or an equivalent qualification, are eligible to sit KMU-CAT. Importantly, students who have already appeared in their final qualifying exam but are still waiting for their result are also allowed to register and take the test — you do not need to hold your FSc result in hand before registering.
Test Format
KMU-CAT is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT), meaning you will sit the exam on a computer at a designated test center rather than filling in a traditional paper answer sheet. If you have not taken a CBT-style exam before, it is worth doing at least one timed mock test on a computer beforehand, since navigating an on-screen interface under time pressure is a different skill from working through a printed paper.
How to Register
Registration is completed through the official KMU-CAT portal (cat.kmu.edu.pk), where candidates create an account, select their preferred test date and examination centre, and then submit the prescribed fee through any branch of the Bank of Khyber. Since fee submission happens through a specific bank, leave yourself a buffer of at least a few days before the registration deadline to complete the bank transaction and have it reflected in the system, rather than attempting it on the last day.
Preparation Tips
- Confirm your target programme is covered by KMU-CAT before you start preparing, since some specialised or postgraduate programmes may have separate entry requirements.
- Register for the November round now if you missed October, since the registration deadline (November 2) comes nearly a week before the test dates (November 7-8) — don't assume you can register at the last minute.
- Practice on a computer, not just on paper, given the CBT format — timing yourself on a screen is genuinely different from a printed test booklet.
- Keep your FSc result status in mind. If you're still waiting for your result, confirm with KMU what provisional documents you'll need to show at the test centre.
- Budget time for the Bank of Khyber fee payment as part of your registration timeline, not as an afterthought after you've already filled the online form.
With a second round already completed and a third round scheduled for early November, KMU is giving applicants a genuine second chance this cycle — but with registration closing a full week before the actual test, the window to act is narrower than it looks.