Exposing MDCAT: Every year, nearly 200,000 students across Pakistan take the MDCAT (Medical & Dental College Admission Test). This one exam decides their next 5 to 6 years and their entire career. But the big question is, is the MDCAT really a fair exam, or is it just a system designed to capitalize on students’ dreams and parents’ expectations?
Why Was MDCAT Introduced?
Before 2010, every medical university had its own entrance exam. UHS (Punjab), Dow University (Sindh), and Khyber Medical University (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KP) all had separate tests with different dates and patterns.
The result? Paper leaks, favoritism, and corruption were common. To address this, the concept of a centralized admission test was introduced, and the MDCAT was born.
The plan was simple: one exam, one syllabus, one merit system for the whole country. However, over time, the reality turned out to be very different.
The Numbers Don’t Add Up: Students vs. Seats
Here’s the harsh truth:
- Around 200,000 students take the MDCAT every year.
- MBBS seats? Just 18,000 to 19,000.
- BDS seats? Hardly 3,500 to 4,000.
In total, there are approximately 22,000 seats.
This means that only one out of every nine students can succeed. The rest either repeat, switch careers, or fall into depression.
Paper Leaks and Corruption: The Ugly Side ( Exposing MDCAT )
In 2019, when the PMC (Pakistan Medical Commission) took charge, they promised reforms. Even computer-based testing was introduced. But instead of solving problems, things got worse.
- Papers were leaked almost every year.
- Allegations surfaced that marks were altered for money.
- Students who appeared earlier leaked questions to later batches.
Every year, social media is flooded with complaints, leading students to question whether the MDCAT is truly merit-based or merely a corrupt business model.
Mental Pressure on Students
A survey found that nearly 60% of MDCAT aspirants don’t get proper support from their families in handling exam stress.
Many students attempt MDCAT 2–3 times, which creates two big problems:
- Fresh candidates lose chances to repeaters.
- Students waste years and fall into depression.
Sadly, there have even been cases where students under extreme pressure took their own lives.
The Academy Mafia, A Business of Dreams
Perhaps the biggest industry around MDCAT is the private academies.
- They charge 60,000 to 70,000 PKR (or more) in fees.
- Every year, they publish flashy ads claiming their students “topped” the exam.
- In reality, only a handful succeed – the rest just become another batch of paying customers.
The harsh truth: the more students fail, the more academies earn. It’s a cycle that feeds on disappointment.
A National Exam, But Not Really
On paper, MDCAT is supposed to be a national-level standardized test. But in reality, each province conducts it differently.
- Punjab’s paper is often considered easier.
- Sindh’s paper is reportedly more challenging with stricter marking.
- Students from A-Level or Federal Board backgrounds often score higher compared to those from local boards.
So, the same “national exam” ends up producing unequal opportunities depending on where you come from.
Doctor: A Dream or a Trap?
In Pakistani society, becoming a doctor is seen as a badge of honor.
- Parents push their kids into it for “status”.
- Students themselves believe MBBS is the only path to success.
But the reality after graduation?
- Long working hours.
- Low starting salaries.
- No guaranteed jobs.
So why is MDCAT treated as a “life or death” exam? It’s society’s obsession, not the profession itself.
There ARE Other Options
Failing MDCAT doesn’t mean life is over. There are plenty of other rewarding careers, such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacy
- Computer Science, IT, and Artificial Intelligence
- Research & Teaching
But neither the academies nor society highlight these options. Because if everyone had alternatives, the MDCAT “business” would collapse.
ALSO READ: Why Pakistan’s Education System Will Never Make You Rich
The Real Question
So, is MDCAT really a fair test? Or is it a scam where every year:
- Students’ hard work goes to waste,
- Parents’ money gets drained,
- And only the exam authorities and academies profit?
If you are preparing for MDCAT, here’s the truth you need to know:
- Yes, it’s tough. But it does NOT define your whole life.
- Becoming a doctor is not the only path to success.
- With the right mindset, guidance, and skills, you can succeed in many other fields.
When we talk about the future of thousands of students, we cannot ignore the reality behind this exam. Every year, debates spark on whether MDCAT is fair or flawed, but only a few voices are brave enough to call out the truth. Exposing MDCAT is not just about criticizing an exam; it is about questioning a whole system that profits from students’ dreams and parents’ savings.
For years, we have seen question paper leaks, irregular marking systems, and unfair provincial differences. Students prepare day and night, yet their success often depends on luck rather than merit. By exposing MDCAT, we highlight that an exam meant to bring standardization has actually created more confusion and division in the education system.
The role of academies cannot be ignored either. They charge heavy fees, sell guidebooks, and advertise fake success rates. For them, MDCAT is less about education and more about running a profitable business. Exposing MDCAT also means exposing this academy mafia, which survives only because of the exam’s flaws. If the test were truly transparent, most academies would lose their market overnight.
Another reason for exposing MDCAT is the mental health crisis it creates. Students spend years repeating the same cycle, sacrificing their youth, and in some tragic cases, their lives. No exam should have the power to destroy confidence and hope on such a massive scale.
By exposing MDCAT, we are not saying medical education should have no entry test. Rather, the demand is for a fair, transparent, and uniform system that values hard work above all else, regardless of background or luck. Students deserve equal opportunities, no matter which province or education board they belong to.
In the end, Exposing MDCAT is not just a slogan; it is a movement. It is about protecting students’ futures, questioning corruption, and breaking the cycle of exploitation. If real reforms are not made, the next generation will continue to suffer in the name of merit. The time has come for policymakers, parents, and students to stand together, because only through exposing MDCAT can we hope to bring real change.
Remember: your worth is not decided by a 3-hour exam.
My name is Farhad Dawar and I am graduate of the Institute of Media and Communication Studies Bahaddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan. I’m passionate about journalism and media, and I believe in journalism of courage, uncovering the truth, and shaping the future.
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
