In a move aimed at standardizing the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced the creation of a centralized question bank to eliminate inconsistencies and complaints regarding exam difficulty levels across provinces.
Speaking to a local news outlet, PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj confirmed that the council is developing a question bank comprising 2,000 vetted questions, designed in collaboration with subject matter experts. The initiative follows repeated complaints that MDCAT papers administered in different provinces varied significantly in difficulty.
Dr. Taj emphasized that the objective is to ensure a level playing field for all medical aspirants. Under the new system, provinces and testing bodies will be required to select questions from the centralized bank, rather than sourcing or designing separate questions, thereby improving consistency and transparency in the assessment process.
Dr. Taj also confirmed that the MDCAT exam for this year will be held in October, after the announcement of Intermediate Part II results. This schedule is intended to align the entrance exam with the academic calendar and ensure students have adequate time for preparation.
The PMDC’s move toward a unified question bank marks a significant step in addressing long-standing concerns over regional disparities in MDCAT administration and is expected to streamline the evaluation of candidates for admission to medical and dental colleges nationwide.