MDCAT results 2023 declared void, KP to hold exams again

PESHAWAR: The caretaker cabinet of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa has decided to declare results of National Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) void..

The decision of Khyber pukhtunkhwa government will be shared in-depth with media during a press briefing according to government sources, but it is clear that Khyber Medical University (KMU) is being asked to conduct the exams once again in a more transparent manner.

Cabinet Decides to Re-Conduct MD CAT Test

In a recent cabinet meeting, a decision has been reached to re-conduct the MD CAT (Medical and Dental College Admission Test) due to alleged irregularities. The test is set to take place once again in six months.

During a press briefing, Caretaker Provincial Information Minister Feroz Jamal informed the media that significant actions have been taken in response to the allegations. The main suspect involved in distributing test copies has been apprehended, along with the arrest of 280 students. The Bluetooth device used for cheating has been forwarded to Islamabad for forensic analysis. Further investigations into the MD CAT scam are ongoing.

The cabinet has established a committee to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the MD CAT scam and provide recommendations to prevent cheating in future instances.

Minister Jamal emphasized that legal actions will not only be taken against the students involved but also against their parents. Khyber Medical University will be responsible for administering the re-conducted MD CAT test.

Peshawar High Court Seeks Clarification on Test Cancellation

Meanwhile, the Peshawar High Court has demanded a response from Khyber Medical University and the Executive Director of the Educational Testing Agency (ETA) by Monday regarding the cancellation of the test. The court has adjourned the hearing until Tuesday.

The Advocate General informed the court that the provincial government has decided to re-conduct the test, scheduling it to take place again in six weeks. Additionally, Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) have been established in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, and Punjab to investigate the matter further, as stated by the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP).

The prosecution lawyer argued that according to the applicable laws and regulations, only the test papers can be canceled, not the entire examination. The petitioner’s lawyer suggested conducting an inquiry and canceling the tests of only those directly involved in the alleged misconduct.

The court has instructed Khyber Medical University and ETA to provide their responses by Monday, and the Peshawar High Court will deliberate on the case and make a decision on Tuesday.

BACKGROUND

On September 10, the exam was simultaneously conducted in 31 cities across the country, with over 180,000 hopeful candidates participating. Additionally, according to a spokesperson for the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC),  382 students took the test at international centres including 185 in Dubai and 197 in Saudi Arabia.

The PMDC spokesperson provided a breakdown of the number of candidates from different provinces with 66,875 appearing in Punjab, 40,528 in Sindh, 46,439 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 9,230 from Balochistan. Furthermore, 926 candidates appeared in Gilgit-Baltistan, 4,036 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and 12,118 in Islamabad.

Nine more arrested in MDCAT test leak case 

Following the MDCAT examination on September 10, complaints surfaced from various cities, including allegations of paper leaks, questions falling outside the prescribed syllabus, and errors in the answer keys.

Use of advanced technology for cheating in the exam sent shockwaves through the medical community after it was found that wireless GSM pens with microphones and micro earpieces, believed to be manufactured in China were used allowing remote communication and guidance for solving the exam paper.

Hi-Tech cheating in MDCAT shocks examiners

Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan expressed his dismay at the use of advanced technology for cheating, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been formed to uncover the culprits, with suspicions pointing towards influential educational academies involved in unethical practices.

Consequently multiple arrests were also made in the case.

COURT CASE

The Peshawar High Court has halted the announcement of the results of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2023 during a case challenging the alleged cheating using Bluetooth devices during the MDCAT. PHC will be hearing the case again on October 3 to deliberate on the fate of the exams. Both KMU and Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) have submitten their written replies at the court.