It is a nerve-wracking day for over 140,000 students and their families across Pakistan as the crucial Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) is being held today. This marks one of the nation’s most competitive exams, deciding the future of aspiring healthcare professionals.
The lead-up to the test was marred by anxiety as rumors of the exam paper being leaked circulated widely on social media, causing distress among candidates. However, Professor Asif Ahmed Shaikh, CEO of the Sindh Testing Service (STS), firmly refuted these claims.
He issued a clear statement confirming that all papers circulating online were “false” and “fake,” urging students to disregard the misinformation.
In a move to facilitate candidates, organizers also addressed concerns for students who did not possess a juvenile ID card. They were advised not to panic and were permitted to enter the exam centers by presenting their original matriculation or intermediate mark sheets.
To accommodate the vast number of applicants, 32 test centers have been set up across the country, along with one center in Saudi Arabia. In Karachi, major centers at Dow and NED universities led to significant traffic congestion on University Road, requiring a heavy deployment of traffic police to manage the situation.
The competition is exceptionally high, as only 22,000 of the 140,000-plus participants will ultimately secure a coveted seat in the MBBS and BDS programs.
