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ISLAMABAD: The Vice-Chancellors of all the five federal and provincial admitting universities have confirmed in writing that there was no paper leak during MDCAT (Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test) 2024.
As per the details, senior officials of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Friday.
The information was given during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee aimed at addressing wider concerns about the integrity of this year’s medical entrance examination.
PMDC’s President Prof. Rizwan Taj and Director Dr. Imdad Ali told the NA’s standing committee on health that in order to address mounting complaints from candidates about the difficulty of the exam, out-of-syllabus questions, and other irregularities, PMDC is going to conduct a post-hoc analysis of the MDCAT 2024.
The review will be conducted by relevant independent experts to ensure an unbiased assessment of the fairness of the examination and to identify any inconsistencies that may affect students.
Regarding the eligibility criteria for the MDCAT exam, the PMDC officials further clarified to the committee that the students who had cleared their first-year intermediate exams and are awaiting the second-year results. were, they were eligible to take the test.
However, only those students who secure 60% in FSC exam and 55% MDCAT for MBBS program, while for BDS program, in FSC exam 60 percent, while 50 percent are eligible to get MDCAT score, he added.
Despite these assurances, the National Assembly Committee expressed dismay at the reported irregularities. In the meeting chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, members expressed their concerns about the emotional damage and confusion caused by the apparent mismanagement.
The committee was alarmed by the revelation that despite the widespread belief among students that they need at least 60% marks in their intermediate examinations to qualify for MDCAT, no minimum The percentage of underqualification is not clearly defined. Members argued that this lack of clarity undermines the credibility of the examination and creates unnecessary stress for candidates.
MDCAT has faced increased scrutiny in recent years due to repeated reports of paper leaks, errors in test papers and logistical problems at test centres. In 2023, social media was abuzz with claims of paper leaks ahead of the exam, leading to widespread protests and an investigation.
Similar allegations have surfaced again this year, fuelling calls for transparency and reform. Online forums and social media platforms are abuzz with claims that the 2024 exam paper was leaked ahead of the exam, causing students to lack confidence in the transparency of the process.
To mitigate these concerns, the Standing Committee recommended significant reforms in the MDCAT process. One of the key suggestions was to adopt smart technology and introduce a standardized paper pattern for all examination centres. The committee argued that this would ensure consistency and make cases of corruption more difficult.
The committee also stressed the importance of providing students with a clear and consistent timeline for the MDCAT examinations, so that they can prepare properly without the uncertainty of recent years.
The issue of excessive fees charged by private medical colleges was also a topic of discussion during the meeting. Several committee members expressed concern about the financial barriers facing students from middle- and low-income families, making medical education an unattainable dream for many.
The committee called for a comprehensive review of the fee structure in public and private medical institutions to ensure that medical education remains accessible to deserving students, irrespective of their financial background.
Apart from the MDCAT controversy, the committee also addressed the delay in the online registration process for doctors. PMDC President Prof. Rizwan Taj explained that the backlog was due to the need for multiple verifications, but assured the committee that steps had been taken to streamline the process.
A focal person has now been assigned to each department to expedite the disposal of pending cases, with the aim of eliminating the delays that have plagued the system in recent months.
The meeting was attended by several key figures, including senior health officials and members of the PMDC. Among those present were Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Federal Secretary Health Nadeem Mahbub as well as MNAs Dr. Shaista Khan, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr. Darshan, and Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi
Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, chairing the meeting, reaffirmed the standing committee’s commitment to continued oversight of the MDCAT process. He emphasised that the credibility of the exam is crucial, and that the future of thousands of aspiring medical professionals depends on a transparent and fair examination process.
“The credibility of the MDCAT examination process is of utmost importance, and we will not allow irregularities to persist at the cost of our students’ futures,” he said.
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