Each province gets separate MDCAT paper

For the first time in the country's history, separate question papers were prepared for each province in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) to prevent paper leaks, the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health was informed on Friday.

"This was done so that if a paper leak was reported anywhere, we would not have to repeat the test nationwide," the president of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) told the committee.

The NA panel, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar Malani, lauded the PMDC and provincial universities for conducting the MDCAT with "record efficiency" and minimal complaints.

Members noted that the examination faced only minor management-related issues and "no major paper leaks or irregularities were reported from any province".

Khyber Medical University VC Dr Ziaul Haq said that all complaints related to marks should be addressed, while Punjab's University of Health Sciences pro-vice chancellor said only 160 complaints were received in the province, a significant drop from previous years.