Girls outnumber boys threefold in MDCAT 2025
Photo: File
Female candidates overwhelmingly dominated this year's Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT 2025), with three times more girls than boys appearing from Karachi. Out of 10,296 registered candidates, 7,767 were female and 2,529 male.
Education experts said the trend reflected a growing passion among young women for the medical profession and their consistent academic excellence in intermediate examinations.
The exam was held on Sunday at only two centres in Karachi — Dow University's Ojha Campus and NED University — a decision that drew criticism from parents and students who complained of inadequate arrangements.
Candidates were asked to report at 6:30am, but the three-hour paper began at 10am, forcing thousands to stand in long queues for hours under the open sky.
Parents described the situation as disorganised and distressing, especially as traffic congestion caused by the ongoing BRT project near NED University worsened access to the centres. "We left home before dawn but waited for hours just to enter," said a student from Gulshan-e-Hadeed. Parents urged authorities to suspend traffic or designate alternative routes during such major examinations.
Across the country, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) reported that 140,125 candidates appeared in MDCAT 2025 for 22,000 seats in public and private colleges.
In Sindh, 32,917 candidates registered — including 22,098 females and 10,819 males — reaffirming the continued dominance of women in medical education. At NED University, 4,003 girls and 1,197 boys appeared, while Dow University hosted 3,764 girls and 1,332 boys.
The test paper comprised 15% easy, 70% moderate, and 15% difficult questions. There was no negative marking, and candidates were allowed to take question papers home.
Strict security and surveillance were maintained at both centres, including biometric verification, metal detectors, and CCTV monitoring. The question papers were unsealed under a five-step security protocol, with even transport vehicles fitted with cameras.
Medical camps were also set up to assist students suffering from stress, fatigue, or low blood pressure.
According to DHO District East Dr Abeera, 147 candidates — mostly female — were treated for headaches, nausea, and weakness during the exam. Health Secretary Rehan Baloch also visited to review arrangements. Despite these measures, parents and students said that mismanagement overshadowed the entire exercise. Only one entry gate was opened at Dow's Ojha Campus, creating chaos and crowding. Many parents, unfamiliar with the location of the gate, struggled to reach it in time.
Students complained that only two centres for a city of Karachi's size was unreasonable. Those coming from distant localities such as Lyari, Keamari, and Landhi said they faced high transport fares and long waits. "We paid Rs9,000 for the exam but were made to wait for hours," said Fizza from Korangi, who appeared for MDCAT for the second time
At NED, ongoing construction and the absence of pedestrian bridges made it difficult for candidates to cross roads safely. "Students were seen walking through construction sheds just to reach the centre," said another parent.
Despite the logistical issues, many students described the paper as fair and well-balanced. Others, however, said some chemistry questions were tough and the heat inside halls made concentration difficult.
The Sukkur IBA Testing Service provided all stationery and supervised logistics. Mobile phones, smartwatches, and electronic devices were strictly banned. Police, traffic wardens, and emergency teams were deployed outside both centres, but parents said crowd management remained poor.
The PMDC announced that the MDCAT 2025 results will be declared within a week, with a rechecking facility available within three days of result publication. A detailed analytical report will be submitted within 10 days.
The council also clarified that it would not oversee admissions, which will be handled by provincial universities and authorities, assuring that the entire process will remain transparent and merit-based.