Confusion prevails about syllabus of test for medical college admissions.

PESHAWAR -- The syllabus of the upcoming test has left students confused following abolition of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) under which national merit list used to be prepared for admission to medical and dental colleges.

The government has restored Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), which will conduct tests through five public sector medical universities across the country as they did before formation of PMC, according to students.

In September 2020, the federal government enforced the PMC Act to provide for the regulation and control of the medical profession and a uniform minimum standard of basic and higher education as well as training and recognition of the qualification in medicines and dentistry.

After the passage of the law, Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) was conducted in 2020. However, the PMC Act was replaced by National Assembly in June last year and PMDC was restored.

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PMC had introduced MDCAT syllabus for the entire country. A centralised test was conducted in 2021 but next year it was given back to the provinces. Khyber Medical University (KMU) conducted written examination through Education Testing and Evaluation Agency (Etea).

Other four admitting universities in the country also conducted MDCAT for their respective provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory.

However, confusion over the test prevails among the students as they don't know if the syllabus will be central or provincial.

Students said that they were confused if the test would be held in accordance with PMC's syllabus, which was for all candidates appearing in any province of the country, or it would be conducted by PMDC through provincial syllabus.

The PMC's test was applicable to the whole country and students could get admission to any province in accordance with national merit list, they said.

According to PMDC law, the test will be provincial. The syllabus for PMC test was central. 'First council, which is not in place will be constituted to take decision,' said students.

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