The 2024 Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in Pakistan was marred by a major scandal as authorities uncovered a sophisticated cheating operation. In Quetta, law enforcement arrested 50 candidates for using Bluetooth devices during the test. These devices were sold for 100,000 PKR each and enabled students to receive answers from accomplices outside the examination halls. The operation reportedly involved facilitators, including a retired official from the Federal Public Service Commission
The issue was not isolated to Quetta. Across the country, additional irregularities were reported, including the identification of over 130 more candidates suspected of cheating. This brought the total number of implicated students to 219. Following these revelations, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), responsible for overseeing the test, announced plans to re-administer the exam. This decision sparked protests from students and parents who had passed the initial test
In Karachi and Sindh, further allegations of paper leaks and mismanagement added to the controversy. The authorities have initiated joint investigations in several provinces to address the widespread malpractice. To ensure integrity in future exams, stricter measures are being planned, including enhanced technology and monitoring systems during test administration
This scandal highlights the challenges of maintaining fairness in highly competitive exams and the critical need for robust preventive mechanisms.
Topics #featured #trending pakistan
