Islamabad: As many as 138,158 candidates will sit the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) on September 20 across 35 cities and towns in Pakistan and at an overseas centre in Riyadh, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) said on Thursday.
The council said it had prescribed unified regulatory standards for the examination papers, while responsibility for conducting the test, maintaining secrecy and transparency, and making administrative arrangements would rest with the respective universities and provincial authorities.
PM&DC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj reviewed the preparations at a meeting attended by vice chancellors of universities conducting the test, provincial health secretaries, representatives of health authorities and senior council officials.
The meeting examined security, seating, medical assistance, emergency response and facilitation arrangements at examination centres to ensure candidates could take the test in a safe and orderly environment.
Universities and provincial authorities were directed to ensure adequate seating, essential facilities and security measures at all centres. They were also asked to make suitable arrangements for parents and guardians accompanying candidates.
The council said the arrangements would also cover candidates from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while close coordination would be maintained among universities, provincial administrations and health authorities throughout the examination process.
According to PM&DC, the prime minister has called for the MDCAT to be conducted transparently, fairly and smoothly, with zero tolerance for any compromise on the integrity of the examination.
Prof Taj directed all institutions involved in the test to strictly follow PM&DC policies and guidelines and maintain the confidentiality of examination papers at their respective centres.
The participating vice chancellors and provincial representatives assured the council that the prescribed requirements would be fulfilled and all arrangements completed before the examination.