KARACHI: Expressing grave concern over alleged technical glitches, instances of cheating, and inconsistencies in the grading system in the recent Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) seeks re-conduct of the exam in a fair and transparent was to ensure credibility and quality of medical education in Pakistan.
In a press release the PMA says the irregularities, malpractices, and technical hiccups that marred the conduct of MDCAT were genuinely disheartening, causing significant anxiety and perplexity among the aspiring medical students.
In view of these deeply concerning circumstances, PMA calls for a re-conduct of the MDCAT exam, terming it imperative to reinstate the confidence of the students and to ensure that every candidate is provided with an equal and equitable opportunity to showcase their abilities.
PMA hopes that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will consider this demand with seriousness and take appropriate measures to guarantee that the MDCAT examination is conducted in a manner that is both fair and transparent.
It is widely acknowledged that the MDCAT is an essential and highly competitive examination, holding the destiny of thousands of students who aspire careers in medicine or dentistry. However, the present situation has cast a shadow over the reliability and equitability of the examination process, PMA says.
It says there have been reports of incorrect and incomplete question papers, insufficient time allocated for answering questions, instances of online cheating, and other technical irregularities that have led to frustration and eroded students' confidence. Even in the official statement released by the examination administration, it was admitted that issues were encountered during the examination, the association added.