In a significant turn of events, authorities have apprehended several individuals across Pakistan on suspicion of leaking the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) paper, raising concerns about the fairness of one of the nation’s most crucial entrance exams.
Medical hopefuls converged at examination centers throughout the country, from Karachi to Lahore, Quetta to Peshawar, for the eagerly awaited MDCAT examination, a pivotal step in securing admission to medical colleges.
With a substantial number of candidates, these entry tests are paramount in shaping the future of aspiring medical professionals.
Just two days prior, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) had unequivocally confirmed that the nationwide MDCAT examination would proceed as scheduled on September 10, with no provision for an alternative test. Consequently, registered students were strongly advised to make their way to their designated examination centers.
According to a spokesperson for the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the MDCAT was conducted simultaneously in 31 cities across the nation, witnessing an impressive participation of over 180,000 hopeful candidates. Additionally, the spokesperson reported that 382 students undertook the examination at international centers, with 185 candidates in Dubai and 197 in Saudi Arabia.
Offering a regional breakdown, the PMDC spokesperson disclosed that 66,875 candidates appeared in Punjab, 40,528 in Sindh, 46,439 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 9,230 hailed from Balochistan. Furthermore, 926 candidates represented Gilgit-Baltistan, 4,036 were from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and 12,118 were from Islamabad.
The federal higher education department had implemented stringent security arrangements at examination centers for the MDCAT, ensuring the examination process’s integrity. In some test centers, Section 144 was imposed to maintain order and security.
However, amidst these efforts, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) successfully thwarted attempts to leak the MDCAT paper. The Higher Education Secretary disclosed that several candidates who attempted to transmit the test using Bluetooth devices were arrested.
The Secretary elaborated that they had received intelligence about a clandestine group planning to leak the MDCAT paper through Bluetooth devices. “It was reported that this group intended to assist candidates by sending them the paper via Bluetooth, enabling them to solve it within the examination halls,” the Education Secretary explained, highlighting the proactive measures taken to maintain the examination’s integrity.
These unfolding developments regarding the MDCAT underscore the challenges and critical importance of conducting fair and secure entry tests for aspiring medical students across the nation.
