The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has approved a request from IBA Sukkur to implement a four-option multiple-choice format in the new Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). This decision aligns with current practices in other provinces, ensuring consistency and clarity for test-takers.
In an official letter sent to IBA Sukkur, the PMDC registrar confirmed the council’s agreement to the proposal. The letter also endorsed the use of a standardized, single version of the test paper throughout the province, while advising the adoption of multiple paper codes to maintain test integrity, a strategy already in use in other regions.
The PMDC letter clarified there were no objections to incorporating four-answer choices per multiple-choice question. This format is designed to align with the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets used in the examination, which are already compatible with this approach in various provinces.
For further adherence to the new format, PMDC recommended that IBA Sukkur consult the MDCAT curriculum and the official PMDC Notification issued on August 4, 2024. This step is intended to ensure that the structure and content of the test remain aligned with national guidelines and educational standards.
The council’s approval signifies a step forward in standardizing medical and dental college entry exams across Pakistan, aiming to provide a uniform testing experience and reduce discrepancies among provinces. This adjustment will help students prepare under a consistent format, contributing to a more equitable assessment process.