ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has demanded complete transparency and foolproof security for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026, scheduled for Sept. 20, while calling for an independent forensic audit of private medical and dental colleges across Pakistan.
The demand has implications for both medical and dental admissions, as the MDCAT remains a key gateway for students seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes.
The PMA said entrance examinations such as MDCAT remain necessary for assessing prospective medical and dental students but stressed that the process must be transparent, secure and merit-based.
The association's call comes amid concerns over the credibility of previous MDCAT examinations. The PMA said examinations conducted under different testing bodies in the past had faced controversies, administrative problems and allegations of paper leaks.
It urged authorities to ensure that MDCAT 2026 is conducted without compromising security or merit so that students can compete on a level playing field and public confidence in the admission process is maintained.
PMA says medical and dental admissions need stronger foundations
The PMA said reform of medical and dental admissions should not be limited to the entrance examination itself and called for improvements in primary and secondary education.
According to the association, a strong school education system should adequately prepare students for higher education, including professional programmes such as medicine and dentistry.
The PMA argued that bringing primary and secondary education in Pakistan closer to international standards could eventually reduce reliance on centralized, high-stakes entrance examinations.
The association's position places the MDCAT debate within a wider discussion about how students are prepared for professional education before they enter medical and dental colleges.
Private medical and dental colleges face calls for scrutiny
The PMA also expressed concern over what it described as the commercialization of medical education in Pakistan and called for an independent review of private medical and dental colleges.
The association alleged that some private medical colleges operate with inadequate staffing, inefficient faculty structures and part-time teachers while seeking increases in student seats.
It also raised concerns about the quality of undergraduate instruction at some institutions, alleging that non-specialized or inadequately qualified individuals have been involved in teaching medical students.
The PMA said such concerns warrant independent scrutiny, particularly when institutions seek to increase their student intake.
While the association's concerns encompass medical education broadly, an audit of private dental colleges would also bring attention to the academic, clinical and infrastructural capacity available for BDS students.
PMA calls for forensic audit of private dental colleges
The association called for an immediate and independent forensic audit of private medical and dental colleges across the country.
According to the PMA, the review should examine faculty qualifications, clinical facilities and physical infrastructure, as well as compliance with minimum accreditation and educational standards.
The association also called for strict legal and regulatory action against institutions found to be operating below required standards.
The PMA warned that shortcomings in the education and training of medical graduates could have consequences beyond individual institutions. It said poorly trained graduates could pose risks to public safety and result in the loss of valuable national resources invested in medical education.
The proposed audit, therefore, is not limited to determining whether colleges have approval to operate or how many students they admit. The PMA wants scrutiny of whether institutions have the qualified faculty, clinical facilities, infrastructure and educational capacity needed to train future healthcare professionals adequately.
For dental education, such scrutiny could have direct relevance to the availability of appropriate clinical training, teaching faculty and facilities required for BDS students to develop professional competencies.
Public-sector medical and dental education also in focus
The PMA also called on the government to strengthen public-sector medical universities, increase funding and expand the number of medical seats available to talented students from low- and middle-income families.
The association said high tuition fees and other financial barriers have made private medical education inaccessible to many deserving students.
It argued that expanding and strengthening public-sector institutions could provide more affordable opportunities for students while promoting merit-based access to professional education.
Greater investment in public-sector institutions, according to the PMA, could also help address disparities in access and reduce the financial pressure on families seeking medical and dental education for their children.
MDCAT security is only one part of the wider education debate
The PMA's statement connects two stages of professional education: how students are selected for medical and dental colleges and whether those institutions have the capacity to train them properly after admission.
For MDCAT 2026, the association is seeking complete transparency and foolproof security ahead of the Sept. 20 examination, citing controversies and allegations associated with previous tests.
At the institutional level, it is seeking an independent forensic audit of private medical and dental colleges, with particular attention to faculty qualifications, clinical facilities, physical infrastructure and compliance with educational and accreditation standards.
At the policy level, the PMA is advocating stronger primary and secondary education, greater investment in public-sector medical universities and expanded affordable opportunities for talented students.
For aspiring dental students, the issue extends beyond securing a place through MDCAT. The quality of the institution providing BDS education, the qualifications of its faculty, the availability of clinical training facilities and compliance with educational standards can directly shape the training received before graduation and entry into professional practice.
The PMA said its proposed measures are aimed at protecting merit, improving the quality of medical education and ensuring that future doctors and dentists receive adequate training before entering professional practice.
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