ISLAMABAD: Vice Chancellors of all the five federal and provincial admitting universities have confirmed in writing that no paper leaks occurred during the 2024 MDCAT (Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test), senior officials of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination on Friday.
The information was conveyed during the NA standing committee’s meeting that aimed to address widespread concerns about the integrity of this year’s medical entrance exam.
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 the relevant independent experts to ensure an unbiased assessment of the exam’s fairness and to identify any discrepancies that may have affected students.
Regarding the eligibility criteria for MDCAT exam, the PMDC officials further clarified to the committee that students who had cleared their first-year intermediate exams and were awaiting their second-year results were eligible to take the test.
However, only those students who manage to secure 60 percent marks in the F.Sc exam and 55 percent MDCAT for MBBS programme, while for BDS programme, 60 percent in F.Sc exam, while 50 percent MDCAT score are eligible for the admissions, they added.
Despite these reassurances, the NA committee expressed its displeasure over the reported irregularities. Chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, the meeting saw members voice their concerns about the emotional toll and confusion caused by the apparent mismanagement.
The committee was alarmed by the revelation that no minimum eligibility percentage had been clearly defined, despite a widespread belief among students that they needed at least 60 percent marks in their intermediate exams to qualify for the MDCAT. This lack of clarity, members argued, undermines the exam’s credibility and creates unnecessary stress for candidates.
The MDCAT has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to recurring reports of paper leaks, errors in exam papers, and logistical issues at test centers. In 2023, social media was flooded with claims of a paper leak before the exam, prompting widespread protests and leading to an investigation.
Similar allegations have surfaced again this year, intensifying demands for transparency and reform. Online forums and social media platforms have been rife with claims that the 2024 exam paper was leaked prior to the exam, leading to a lack of confidence among students in the fairness of the process.
To mitigate these concerns, the standing committee recommended significant reforms to the MDCAT process. One of the key proposals was to adopt smart technology and introduce a standardised paper pattern for all testing centers. This, the committee argued, would ensure consistency and make it harder for malpractices to occur.
The committee also stressed the importance of providing students with a clear and consistent timeline for the MDCAT exams, so they could adequately prepare without the uncertainty that has marked recent years.
The issue of high fees charged by private medical colleges was another point of contention during the meeting. Several members of the committee voiced concerns about the financial barriers facing students from middle- and low-income families, making medical education an increasingly unattainable dream for many.
The committee called for a comprehensive review of the fee structures at both public and private medical institutions to ensure that medical education remains accessible to deserving students, irrespective of their financial background.
Beyond the MDCAT controversy, the committee also addressed the delays in the online registration process for doctors. PMDC President Prof. Rizwan Taj explained that the backlog was caused by 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 resolve pending cases more quickly, with the goal 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.