ISLAMABAD: As the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) approaches, fraudulent schemes offering fake question papers have emerged. These schemes falsely claim to have 100pc (210) questions slated to appear in the upcoming MDCAT-2024 set to be held next month.

Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has advised students to avoid fraudulent exam preparation services and misleading information regarding the examination process.

It has further warned that it will involve relevant authorities, including the Cyber Security Cell, to take stringent action against those involved.

“The PMDC warns those responsible to cease such activities immediately. PMDC will involve the relevant authorities, including the Cyber Security Cell, to take stringent action against these individuals and platforms.

“MDCAT examination is solely administered by the respective provincial public sector universities under the standards approved by the provincial and federal governments, while PMDC’s role is limited to student registration through its official portal,” it stated.

According to evidence, available with Dawn, a number of individuals on social media are claiming to possess the multiple choice questions (MCQs) of the upcoming exam.

An example is a message circulating on social media that states, “2024 MDCAT test available (Federal) PMDC official material (210 MCQs confirmed test 1) (210 MCQs confirmed test 2). Source: Director Rizwan from PMC. Pay for those who really want to score 85 percent and above in MDCAT. Inbox for more details.”

“These are fraudulent schemes aiming to swindle money from students,” a PMDC official said.

The PMDC has announced that the MDCAT-2024 exam will take place on 22 September, 2024 (Sunday). Last year, 180,534 students appeared in the exam with the number expected to rise to 200,000 students this year.

The council has decided to conduct the exam simultaneously in Pakistan and abroad.

The MDCAT syllabus has been uploaded on the council’s website and the registration portal has also been opened.

The syllabus remains unchanged from the previous year. All provincial secretaries have been directed to commence preparations for the exam.

PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj said that MDCAT-2024 will be a paper-based exam, conducted in a single day through provincial public admitting universities under PMDC supervision.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2024