-by Dr Muntaha Tariq
The first-ever Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) exam that will be conducted in the year 2020. The announcement of National MDCAT has created a lot of stress among the FSC candidates. Just because of the sudden announcements from Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) regarding the syllabus and the exam date.
MDCAT 2020: How it all started?
Initially, the PMC announced 15th Nov 2020 as an exam date for MDCAT with a so-called common syllabus for all. That syllabus was favouring some provinces but un-acceptable for the candidates of other provinces, unfortunately. But that was suddenly postponed by Sindh High Court with the order to the PMC to reform the syllabus that will be feasible for all the candidates.
National MDCAT on 29th Nov
Now all of the sudden Pakistan Medical Commission announced 29th Nov 2020 as the MDCAT exam date on 19th Nov 2020. And 15th Dec 2020 as an exam date for the candidates who are unable to appear in the exam due to COVID-19 positive.
While the syllabus is being determined, how is it possible to announce the exam date with the margin of only 10 days? This is the exam on which the future life of FSC candidates will be based. Ideally, PMC should favour the candidates by announcing the exam date timely so that they can prepare themselves in the best possible way. But unfortunately at present students hardly stable themselves at one announcement. In that meantime, the next shocking announcement from PMC is ready for them.
This casual behaviour of PMC is becoming a cause of stress and anxiety among the candidates. Due to which they can’t focus on their studies in this precious time. The time at which even a millisecond is very important can’t be utilized as it should be.
The PMC authority should adopt a well-planned policy and issue the clarification through newspapers about the status of the revised syllabus, allowing the students with sufficient time and emotional adjustment for a very important test of their lives.
Professor Iftikhar from Mardan
Conclusion:
Such unpredictable announcements from PMC on short notice are only becoming the reason for anxiety and nervousness among the candidates. Instead of taking this test light, kindly think about its importance for FSC candidate whose whole life will be dependent on this.
-The author is contributing writer at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at muntahatariq@outlook.com
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
