Release of answer keys, results of MDCAT 'vague'

PMDC had refrained varsities from releasing question papers Important facts have emerged regarding the decision to release the answer keys and results of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in Sindh without making the question paper available to candidates. Although Sukkur IBA University apparently did not release the MDCAT question paper, it has now emerged that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), through a notification issued on September 10, had barred all universities conducting the test from releasing the question paper. The notification, issued 10 days before the examination, directed the participating universities to collect the question papers from candidates immediately after the test and ensure that no candidate retained a copy. It stated that withholding the question paper from candidates was necessary to ensure a better examination process. The notification was issued by the PMDC's Registration Office, Examination Department, and copies were also sent to the health secretaries of all four provinces. More than 33,000 candidates appeared in the MDCAT in Sindh on September 20, including over 9,000 from Karachi. However, the non-release of the question paper after the examination created uncertainty, with a large number of candidates claiming that the publication of answer keys alone did not allow them to verify whether their responses had been marked correctly. When contacted by The Express Tribune, Sukkur IBA Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Sheikh said the university had released the question paper last year but could not do so this year without PMDC's permission. He added that the university would release the paper if the council granted approval, even now. Meanwhile, PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj disclosed that the notification barring the release of question papers had been issued on the recommendation of the vice chancellors of the universities conducting the test. According to Dr Taj, the vice chancellors had advised against releasing the question paper. The MDCAT consisted of 180 multiple-choice questions, and candidates were provided with carbon copies of their Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets. However, the question papers were collected from them immediately after the examination. Only the answer key was uploaded on the night of September 20, while the question paper remained unavailable. Some candidates alleged that certain answers in the English and Logical Reasoning sections of the published key appeared to be incorrect. They maintained that releasing the question paper would have enabled them to verify the answers and identify any discrepancies. Responding to these concerns, the Sukkur IBA vice chancellor said the university had reviewed the answer keys several times and was confident of their accuracy. However, he reiterated that the university was bound by the PMDC's instructions regarding the release of the question paper.