PESHAWAR: In a significant development for over 40,000 aspiring medical and dental students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, today marks a pivotal day as the eagerly awaited Medical and Dental Colleges Entrance Test (MDCAT) is poised to take place.
The city is bustling with activity as meticulous preparations have been finalized, boasting 11 strategically placed examination centers to ensure the seamless execution of the test. This critical exam will unfold across various cities in the province, including Mardan and Peshawar. MDCAT comprises 200 multiple-choice questions spanning Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English, and logical reasoning.
Although the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) typically conducts MDCAT nationwide, today’s test, following a cheating scandal, will be overseen by the Khyber Medical University (KMU) in KP.
In a bid to uphold the examination’s integrity, the Peshawar District Administration has implemented Section 144 in the vicinity of MDCAT test centers, imposing a ban on the possession of books, solved papers, and electronic devices within a 100-meter radius around examination centers.
This prohibition extends to mobile phones, affecting not only the students but also security personnel and staff. Mobile signals around the test centers have intentionally been blocked, with a substantial deployment of police and security agencies ensuring a secure testing environment.
At the main entrances of the examination halls, additional police personnel will stand guard, adding an extra layer of security. Rigorous measures are in place during the entry process, with students undergoing biometric verification and thorough cloth searches before gaining access to the examination hall.
According to KMU officials, students are only allowed to carry their admission cards into the examination hall. Standardized conditions for all participants are maintained by the administration, providing ballpoint pens and paper boards.
It’s noteworthy that 219 students implicated in cheating during the previous test have been barred from entering the examination hall this time, underscoring the government’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the MDCAT. This stringent approach follows the government’s decision to cancel the test on September 28 due to widespread complaints of cheating.
As the clock inches closer to 10 am, the scheduled commencement of MDCAT, all eyes are on Peshawar. Here, future medical and dental professionals are poised to showcase their knowledge and skills under the vigilant supervision of a meticulously organized examination process.