THIS refers to the report ‘Stretching MDCAT test duration violation of law: PMA’ (Aug 24). Normally, examinations like matriculation, intermediate etc., are conducted by provincial boards, while degree-level exams are conducted by universities. Similarly, the Central Superior Services (CSS) and judicial examinations are conducted at federal and provincial levels. These examinations are based on one principle; for one particular subject, a question paper should be the same for all students.

This means all the provincial boards, universities and other institutions set papers for their respective batches, sessions or levels for a subject. So in one class, all students of the same batch have the same question paper. On the basis of this, the evaluators, and, consequently, the boards and the universities, can compare the merit of students and positions. This system of examination is rational and logical.

I wonder how the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) would declare positions or compare the level of intellect and merit when all the students will get unique and different question papers. This will be no reflection of true evaluation of the candidates.

This system of examinations is seriously debatable as some students may get easy or moderate questions, while others may get moderate to difficult questions. To me, this is a biased criterion.

There are some other puzzling factors, such as students will not be provided the question papers and their keys after appearing in medical and dental college admission test (MDCAT). I do not understand why the respective provincial authorities are tight-lipped in this regard when the future of students is in the hands of the PMC.

I have seen many parents, students and teachers complaining about this system being imposed by the PMC. Why is not this pattern of examinations, as suggested by the PMC, first applied to competitive examinations, such as the CSS, etc.

This is a fundamentally flawed system. How can a single teacher in a class assess the students when all are asked to attempt different question papers at any level?

During the last two years of the Covid pandemic, most of the provincial boards reduced the topics/chapters of the syllabus in all subjects. This means different provincial boards have different syllabus, different books and have reduced the topics and chapters in their own respective areas of jurisdiction. This practice has been rampant.

Now which syllabus does the PMC intend to follow? If it intends to follow the provincial syllabus, then which province will it follow? Students of different provinces follow their books and will prepare according to their reduced syllabus. This would create further confusion and chaos.

In order to avoid such ambiguities, I would advise the PMC to consult the provincial boards to prepare one question paper for all students in at least one province so that we may better evaluate the students at the national level without creating ambiguities and chaos for the aspirants and their parents.

Dr Badaruddin Memon
Rohri

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2021