Over 12,000 candidates retake MDCAT

Islamabad:The Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) on Monday conducted the Medical and Dental College Admission Test, 2024, afresh in line with the orders of the Islamabad High Court.

The test was first held on Sept 22 but the high court directed the university to retake the test after receiving complaints from candidates. Complying with the court's orders, the SZABMU simultaneously conducted the test afresh on Monday at 27 centres, including 25 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gilgit-Baltistan, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, as well as in Dubai (UAE) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), accommodating over 12,000 candidates. A total of 10,428 candidates sat the test in Islamabad, 629 in Mirpur, 447 in Muzaffarabad, 400 in Rawalakot, 329 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 211 in Rawalpindi, 64 in Riyadh and 60 in Dubai.

With technical support from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the SZABMU implemented advanced measures such as biometric verification, real-time monitoring, and strict invigilation protocols to maintain the credibility and integrity of the test. PMDC officials closely monitored the process, with President Prof Rizwan Taj visiting test centres in Islamabad. Other PMDC officers were deployed to ensure strict oversight of the procedures.

The PMDC officials assured all stakeholders, including students, parents, and academic institutions, that the MDCAT's results would be processed and announced soon. They said updates regarding the results would be posted on the SZABMU's website.

The officials said the PMDC was committed to starting the medical and dental college admission process to minimise further delays to prevent further lost of students' time. Meanwhile, SZABMU Vice Chancellor Prof Tariq Iqbal said the key for the under-grad medical college entrance test was uploaded on the university's website, while each centre was vigilantly marked by invigilators who had overseen and observed exams ensuring transparency and adherence to standards. He said security measures at the centres were robust, with support from provincial and district authorities, including agencies including police of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“I am specially thankful to Islamabad police and other law enforcement agencies for their support and help extended for ensuring safety of students at all centres in Islamabad and adjoining areas,” he said. Prof Iqbal also appreciated the university's team, especially invigilation team and others those were part of the test, to make the event successful. He said as per the high court's instructions, the MDCAT results were also valid for all those who had appeared in the first MDCAT held on October 2024.