ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) has taken a significant step to enhance the Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) by establishing a seven-member reform committee comprising representatives from all provinces. This initiative aims to ensure greater transparency, minimize errors, and introduce IT-driven solutions for a seamless examination process.
The committee's primary focus includes evaluating options for centralized or university-specific testing, establishing a uniform syllabus, and aligning the exam schedule with intermediate exams to curtail the influence of tuition mafias.
The committee's inaugural meeting, chaired by Prof. Dr. Suhail Amin, was held at the PMDC headquarters. President of PMDC, Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, extended his gratitude to the members for their commitment to this critical task, emphasizing the importance of an equitable and credible examination system.
During the session, the committee reviewed the 2024 MDCAT, which saw 167,772 candidates register from across Pakistan, as well as Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Insights were shared regarding the performance of examining universities, the highest scores, and the successful retake of exams in Sindh and under the Federal Government.
Prof. Dr. Suhail Amin underscored the necessity of a unified syllabus and advanced technology to elevate examination quality. He highlighted challenges such as ensuring uniform difficulty levels across provinces and minimizing human error in the evaluation process. “Developing a robust, tech-driven examination system is a challenging but essential step toward credibility and fairness,” he stated.
He also pointed out a concerning gap between high MDCAT scores and the broader personality development of successful candidates, calling for improvements in cognitive-level assessments to ensure the test better predicts future success in the medical profession.
The meeting also featured a briefing by the IBCC Chairman, who announced the completion of the "Examination Bible," a comprehensive guide for grades 9-12 focusing on exam procedures and question bank development. He advocated for e-examinations, particularly for multiple-choice questions, and praised the successful implementation of a grading system in board exams.
The committee reviewed the existing MDCAT syllabus and question bank, with members agreeing that further revisions are necessary to maintain high standards. Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj assured that PMDC is fully committed to supporting the committee in its mission to transform MDCAT into a transparent, technology-driven, and equitable system for aspiring medical and dental students.