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The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has declined the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s appeal to lower the fee for the upcoming Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) scheduled for September 22. The PMDC cited high operational costs as the primary reason for maintaining the current fee structure.
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PMDC registrar Dr Shaista Faisal explained to Dawn that the fee charged from candidates is essential to cover expenses, particularly when the test is conducted at the district level to minimize travel costs for students.
On August 6, KP higher education minister Meena Khan Afridi had written to PMDC president Dr Rizwan Taj, requesting a fee reduction to assist economically disadvantaged candidates in pursuing medical education. The minister highlighted that the PMDC had increased the entrance exam fee from Rs6,000 to Rs8,000.
Afridi emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been affected by prolonged conflict and instability, resulting in a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line. He argued that the fee increase placed an undue financial burden on students and might discourage talented individuals from poor backgrounds from pursuing medical careers.
Dr Shaista Faisal clarified that the PMDC conducts MDCAT through six public sector universities at the district level across all provinces. She noted that last year, universities were reluctant to participate at the previous fee of Rs6,000 per student due to higher costs.
The PMDC registrar detailed various expenses involved in the test administration, including purchasing question papers from the National University of Medical Sciences, stationery costs, travel expenses for PMDC staff, and arrangements to ensure transparency.
Dr Faisal stressed that the MDCAT does not generate income for the PMDC and that the current fee represents the minimum charges necessary to cover costs. She added that holding the test in candidates’ home districts is a measure to reduce their travel expenses.
The PMDC maintains its focus on ensuring quality education by conducting the test transparently for admissions to medical and dental colleges based on merit.
