The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced a rescheduling of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2023, with the new exam date set for September 10. This decision comes as a shift from the initial date of August 23, as conveyed in an official notification issued by the PMDC on August 15.
The MDCAT 2023, a crucial examination for aspiring medical and dental students, will continue to follow the uniform syllabus policy across the country. The syllabus for the entrance exam will remain consistent with that of the previous year.
This rescheduling of the MDCAT exams is expected to provide candidates with additional time to adequately prepare for the examination, allowing them to strive for their best performance.
In a related development, a group of foreign graduates staged a protest outside the PMDC headquarters in Islamabad. Their primary demands included a revision of the scheduled date for MDCAT 2023 and a reduction in the passing percentage required for foreign graduates.
The protestors voiced their concerns about the unusually high passing percentage requirement of 70%, comparing it to global standards and asserting that no other country mandates such a high threshold for medical admission. They emphasized that foreign graduates, who have already fulfilled the admission requirements of medical schools in their home countries, should not be subjected to disparate treatment.
The protesters’ demonstration highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the criteria and standards set for medical education and admissions in Pakistan, particularly concerning foreign graduates seeking to pursue medical careers within the country. As the PMDC addresses these concerns and adjusts the MDCAT schedule, the aspiring medical professionals await further developments and decisions that may impact their future endeavors.
