The nationwide Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MD-CAT) is being held today, with stringent security measures in place to prevent cheating and ensure fairness. Over 167,777 candidates are vying for more than 18,000 seats across Pakistan.
Section 144 has been imposed in areas arond testing centres and mobile signals have also been restricted.
The test is being conducted in 26 centers across 12 cities in Punjab, with 82,500 students participating. In Sindh, Dow University of Health Sciences has been entrusted with the responsibility for the third consecutive year, with approximately 38,700 candidates taking the test, including 12,846 from Karachi alone.
Soon after the exam began, rumours began that the MDCAT paper had been leaked. However, a spokesperson for Dow University categorically denied that any such occurrence.
Candidates are strictly prohibited from bringing electronic devices, including mobile phones, calculators, and Bluetooth devices, into the examination center. Watches, water bottles, and bags will also be confiscated.
If any of these items are found on a candidate during the exam, their paper will be cancelled, and they will be removed from the examination center.
Furthermore, the examination centers will be monitored through cameras.
The University of Health Sciences is conducting the MD-CAT (Medical Dental College Admission Test) across twelve cities in Punjab, including Lahore. A total of 26 examination centers have been established in these cities.
A total of 58,380 candidates are participating in the exam, including 40,336 girls and 18,016 boys.
In Lahore, eight examination centers have been set up, with six dedicated to female candidates and two for male candidates. The largest center is located at the Examination Halls of Punjab University on Wahdat Road.
Other examination centers in Lahore include COMSATS University, DPS Model Town, University of Education Township, Government Girls Graduate College Gulberg, Lahore College for Women University, DPS Township, and Government Islamia College for Women.
Over 4,000 teachers are serving as invigilators for the MD-CAT exam, with 1,000 invigilators deployed in Lahore alone.
In Karachi, the exam is being held at NED University and Dow University’s Ojha campus, with 6,000 students taking the test at NED and 6,846 at Dow Ojha. The test is for 858 seats in Karachi’s medical and dental colleges and universities, with 746 open merit seats and 112 self-finance seats.
Dow University has implemented strict measures to prevent paper leaks, a recurring issue in past years. Concerns about irregularities and potential leaks have been raised by doctors’ organizations, adding to the anxiety of the candidates.
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The test will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM, with candidates allowed entry from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Mobile phones, calculators, Bluetooth devices, and even watches and water bottles are prohibited. Any candidate found with these items will be disqualified and removed from the exam center.
The MD-CAT paper comprises 200 questions, with 68 questions from Biology, 54 from Chemistry, 54 from Physics, and 18 from English.
Karachi police have been deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow, and the exam centers are being monitored by CCTV cameras.
In Balochistan, 5,806 students are taking the test for entry into medical colleges in the province.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 42,000 candidates are participating in the test, which is being held at 13 centers across 8 districts.
Candidates are advised to bring their colored printouts of the admit card, CNIC or B-form, and domicile or PRC to the exam center.
