ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) recently announced that 121,310 out of 126,025 registered students appeared for the National Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). The test was conducted on 29th November 2020 across the country.
According to a recent notification by PMC, 138 students who tested positive for COVID-19, and were absent, would be differed to appear in the Special MDCAT Examination on 13th December 2020.
The PMC arranged 210 centres across the country for the test.
About an incident in which question papers were sold in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the commission claimed that a group was selling fake papers and had been arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
"The papers obtained from their custody are fake. The MDCAT examination remained fully secure," it stated.
An official of the PMC said the exam results would be announced in10 days.
Earlier, the PMC had announced that MDCAT would be held on Nov 15. However, some students approached the Sindh High Court, saying the date of the exam was announced without establishing an academic board.
According to PMC Act, the test had to be held as per recommendations of the academic board, so the court directed to establish the board before holding the exam.
Later, the PMC set up the academic board and again announced the date for the test. Public sector colleges will have to give 50pc weightage to MDCAT and can decide for the remaining marks by their own/provinces. Private colleges can admit students by their own but candidates have to clear MDCAT.
The merit list of all colleges will be issued in January.
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
