The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has approved a major change in the medical admissions process, with the MDCAT exam to be conducted just six days after the announcement of intermediate (FSc) results starting next year.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal announced the decision while speaking to the media at Parliament House on Tuesday.
According to the minister, the revised schedule aims to reduce students’ reliance on expensive private coaching academies, which have grown due to the lengthy gap between FSc results and the MDCAT exam.
Currently, students face a delay of four to six months between the announcement of intermediate results and the entry test. Officials believe this gap has contributed to the expansion of a costly coaching industry, placing financial pressure on families.
Mustafa Kamal stated that the new system would help save students and parents millions of rupees by eliminating the need for prolonged, separate preparation for the entry test.
He added that the policy change is designed to create a more level playing field, ensuring that students from middle-income families are not disadvantaged compared to those who can afford expensive coaching.
The new policy will come into effect from the next academic cycle following the announcement of FSc results.
