A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Health has recommended major reforms to the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and the medical college admission system.
The panel proposed holding MDCAT twice a year and reducing the test’s weightage in admissions so students do not depend on a single exam to determine their future. It also suggested allowing students a second chance in the same year if they fail one attempt.
The subcommittee recommended reviewing the impact of negative marking, extending the validity of MDCAT results to three years, and announcing the exam date well in advance. It also called for a formal complaint and review system for disputed questions.
The report said MDCAT should be made fair for students from FSc, Cambridge O/A Levels and International Baccalaureate systems. It recommended involving experts from all three systems in syllabus preparation.
The panel also raised concern over the gap between available seats and qualifying candidates. It urged the government to prepare a five-year plan to expand medical college seats, especially in public institutions and underserved regions such as Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The subcommittee noted that thousands of qualified Pakistani doctors have left the country in recent years and called for a broader policy to expand the medical workforce. It also recommended reviewing private medical college fees, providing better financial aid for deserving students, and fully utilising vacant seats.
The report further proposed a permanent relief mechanism for MDCAT candidates affected by floods, natural disasters and security situations.
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