The MD-CAT entry test paper for Medical and Dental College in Larkana was leaked before the exam, with reports of mafia figures selling answer keys to students for massive amounts between Rs 1 million and Rs 1.2 million each. This scandal surfaced just hours before the scheduled test, exposing a large-scale cheating operation.
Today, around 4,812 candidates are set to appear for the exam, including 2,591 male and 2,211 female students. The Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MD-CAT), which is being overseen by the University of Health Sciences, is happening across 30 cities and two international centers. In Punjab alone, 12 cities are hosting the test in 26 centers, with a total of 82,500 candidates participating.
To prevent further cheating and ensure a fair environment, authorities have suspended mobile and internet services around all 26 exam centers in a 500-meter radius from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. This move aims to block any external help during the exam.
In Karachi, two main centers have been set up at NED University and Dow University Ojha Campus, where 12,846 candidates are expected to take the test, with 6,000 students at NED and 6,846 at Dow University.
The Sindh Home Department has also taken strict steps by imposing Section 144 around the exam centers, banning mobile phones, wallets, and other electronic items. Mobile signals will be jammed to stop any malpractice. Entry into the exam halls is only allowed between 7 am and 9 am, and the exam will run from 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Karachi’s medical and dental colleges have a total of 858 seats available, including 746 for open merit and 112 for self-financed students. Authorities are doing their best to ensure that the exam proceeds smoothly despite the recent paper leak scandal.
