ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to overhaul the MDCAT examination schedule to reduce dependence on coaching academies.
The new policy will be implemented from the next academic cycle.
The PMDC has announced a significant change in the medical college admission policy, with MDCAT exams to be conducted shortly after intermediate exams.
Under the decision, MDCAT tests across the country will begin just six days after the FSc exams.
According to the Federal Health Minister, Mustafa Kamal, the decision was taken on the special instructions of the prime minister.
He further said that the primary objective of the move is to eliminate the influence of the so-called “academy mafia” that thrives on the current system.
Current MDCAT exam system
Earlier, MDCAT exams were conducted four to six months after the FSc exams and the extended gap allowed private academies to charge students large sums of money for preparation during the interim period.
Usually, academies would collect millions of rupees from students during the months between FSc exams and MDCAT test. The new policy is aimed at breaking this cycle and reducing financial pressure on families.
The authorities believed that children from wealthy families could afford expensive tuition and academy preparation. In contrast, students from middle-class backgrounds often missed out on such opportunities, creating inequality in medical admissions.
Students to avoid double preparation
Under the revised system, students will no longer have to prepare separately for MDCAT after completing their FSc exams.
The change is expected to streamline the process and reduce academic stress for students.
The new policy will be enforced after the upcoming intermediate examinations.
