The minimum percentage of intermediate program marks that candidates must have for MDCAT-2025 has been raised from 60% to 65% by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

A formal announcement in this regard has been issued by PMDC Registrar Dr. Shaista. The announcement specifies that starting in Session 2025–2026, candidates will only be permitted to take the MDCAT in their home province or region and that admission to MBBS/BDS programs nationwide will require FSc/Intermediate (Pre-Medical) scores of at least 65%.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will be the only international MDCAT test center, according to the statement. The MDCAT syllabus is also available online.

Social Media Access for U.S. Visa

The U.S. Department of State has declared that it will resume offering student visas to international applicants, but there is a new requirement: all candidates must grant access to their social media accounts.

According to the Associated Press, posts and statements deemed unfavorable to the United States, its government, culture, institutions, or foundational values will henceforth be monitored by U.S. consular staff.

The State Department confirmed in a recent statement that student visas, which had been briefly suspended in May, are now being granted again. Candidates risk being rejected, though, if they refuse to allow access to their social media accounts. Officials say that refusing to disclose online behavior could cause transparency issues.

International student visa interviews were halted by the Trump administration last month. But a 27-year-old PhD candidate who lives in Toronto, is a Chinese national, and will start an internship in the United States later this July was scheduled for an interview next week.

As the processing of student visas resumes, U.S. embassies and consulates have been directed to give preference to applicants who are enrolled in American universities where less than 15% of the student body is international.

The percentage of overseas students at more than 200 U.S. universities surpasses this 15% level, according to federal education data.

There are still several reasons why international students are subject to increased scrutiny. Thousands of student visas were revoked by the Trump administration only months ago.

The State Department underlined that social media activity reviews contribute to a comprehensive screening process for those applying for U.S. entry.

Furthermore, the Trump administration has called on 36 nations to enhance their traveler security protocols. If they don't cooperate, their people' ability to enter the United States may be restricted.

All countries received a written warning from the State Department stating that they had sixty days to remedy U.S. security concerns or risk travel bans.