The Federal Ministry of Health has instructed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to abolish the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) following widespread complaints of irregularities.
The decision came after the Senate’s Standing Committee on Health raised concerns about the fairness of the exam. In a meeting, the committee recommended that the current system be replaced with an international IT-based testing model, to be implemented next year.
The proposal was supported by Prime Minister’s Coordinator, Dr. Malik Mukhtar. Dr. Mukhtar highlighted that influential mafias have long tried to manipulate the MDCAT, with private preparation academies benefiting from the system, earning billions of rupees.
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He highlighted that these academies often play a pivotal role in influencing exam outcomes, calling into question the integrity of the admission process. Amir Chishti, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Health, echoed these concerns, urging for the exam’s abolition.
He suggested transitioning to an online testing system, similar to international standards like the U.S. SAT or Cambridge testing format, which could provide more transparency and fairness.
However, during a briefing to the committee, Dr. Mukhtar clarified that an investigation by the Intelligence Bureau found no evidence of this year’s MDCAT paper being leaked, despite rumors.
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