A seven-member committee instituted improving the Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) for greater transparency in the process and enhanced quality.
The committee comprises members from all provinces and takes charge of all activities like tackling problems, ensuring transparency, lessening errors, and so on, apart from IT-based solutions, that may include centralized or university-related tests, same syllabus, and conducting MDCAT just after intermediate examinations to reduce tuition mafia impact.
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At its first meeting, PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj thanked the Chairman and committee members for putting this in place. The Chairman, Prof. Dr. Suhail Amin, discussed the recent developments surrounding the MDCAT and the legal framework within which such proceedings fall under the PMDC Act 2022. Of note is the fact that for 2024, 167,772 candidates registered for the exam in Pakistan, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. Also shared were the results of various universities and updates on the retake tests conducted for two universities under the Sindh and Federal Governments.
A unified syllabus needs to be developed, and technology must be incorporated to enhance the quality of the exams. Setting up an advanced technology-based examination system with minimal human error and greater transparency poses an immense challenge, he said, with regard to maintaining equal difficulty levels across provinces. He emphasized improving the assessments on the cognitive level as a more tangible beginning.
The Completion of the ‘Examination Bible’ for grades 9-12, which now supports e-examinations for MDCAT, was announced by the Chairman IBCC. The committee was also tasked with reviewing the syllabus and question bank, which it acknowledged as insufficient and requiring much-needed revision and improvement.
Members talked about developing a center-based e-assessment system, independent of internet-based assessments, using HEC-supported internet portals to secure these forms of assessments. They also emphasized the higher cognitive abilities, critical thinking, and qualitative and contextual domains incorporated into assessments.
Prof Dr Rizwan Taj supported these views and made the urgent need for an Action Plan for MDCAT reforms by December 2024. He expressed concern over the recent misconduct in the MDCAT exam and stressed the importance of public trust and integrity through a robust and transparent system.
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The meeting officially closed with the creation of the following three sub-committees:
MDCAT Syllabus Committee: Drafting an integrated syllabus and building a sustainable question bank.
E-Assessment Project Committee: Proposing a secure question bank portal and e-assessment plan.
MDCAT Policy Document Committee: Develop a consolidated policy document for the national examination.
Anne of all sub-committees were instructed to get their drafts ready by December for review. The Chairman thanked all members for their worthy contribution as well as precious time.