Sindh High Court Rules for Retake of MDCAT Exam Amid Widespread Security Breaches
Karachi, October 27, 2024 – The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed authorities to hold a fresh Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) within four weeks after a probe committee unanimously found extensive flaws in the administration of the initial exam held on September 22, 2024. The court found that the original test process, managed by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), was significantly compromised, warranting a new exam.
In response to a series of petitions filed by candidates, a two-judge bench of the SHC led by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Amjad Ali Sahito issued the directive for a retake. The court’s ruling emphasized that no additional fees will be charged, and the Sindh government will bear all associated costs for the retake.
Key Findings from the Investigation
An investigative committee, along with input from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), uncovered critical security breaches in the MDCAT process:
- Test Leak on Social Media: According to the FIA’s report, individuals allegedly circulated the exam paper on WhatsApp groups 14 hours before the exam, with 75% of questions leaked.
- Staff Involvement: A reported 42 staff members were involved in the handling, binding, and sorting of the test papers over a 10-day period, severely weakening confidentiality protocols.
- Questionable Scores: The report highlighted an unusual scoring trend, with 1,186 students scoring 187 or higher on MDCAT, yet displaying a negligible correlation (0.06) between these scores and their high school marks.
The SHC ordered that the fresh MDCAT be administered by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi and IBA Sukkur, ensuring centralized testing across the province on the same day. The court also directed that the exam adhere to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) guidelines, with questions based strictly on the Sindh Textbook Board syllabus.
Retake to Address Student Concerns and Ensure Fairness
The court’s decision aims to uphold academic integrity and equal opportunities for all candidates, as highlighted by the following measures:
- Equal Treatment for Repeaters and New Candidates: The SHC clarified that repeat candidates would be treated as fresh applicants, without any penalty, ensuring no disadvantage.
- Standardized Syllabus: The exam will align with the Sindh Textbook Board and PMDC Curriculum 2023 to ensure consistency across public and private institutions.
- Vigilance and Oversight: Provincial and PMDC officials were ordered to establish vigilance committees at all testing sites to ensure a secure retake process.
Broader Implications for Admission Testing Standards
The court’s ruling goes beyond the immediate issue, calling on the PMDC to reevaluate the criteria and laws that currently exempt 18 colleges, including Aga Khan University, from the MDCAT exam, a policy that the SHC deemed contrary to the principles of equality under Pakistan’s Constitution. This decision may prompt further policy reforms to create a uniform standard for admissions in both public and private medical institutions.
Next Steps: Legal and Investigative Follow-up
The SHC directed the FIA and the committee to continue investigating those involved in the paper leak. The FIA is expected to conclude its inquiry within two months, with individuals found responsible facing possible legal consequences.
