KARACHI:
Female candidates overwhelmingly dominated this year’s Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT 2025), with three times more girls than boys from Karachi. Out of 10,296 registered candidates, 7,767 were women and 2,529 were men.
Education experts said the trend reflected a growing passion among young women for the medical profession and their consistent academic excellence in intermediate exams.
The exam was held on Sunday at only two centers in Karachi – Dow University’s Ojha Campus and NED University – a decision that drew criticism from parents and students who complained of inadequate arrangements.
Candidates were asked to report at 6:30 a.m., but the three-hour paper began at 10 a.m., forcing thousands to stand in long lines for hours under the open sky.
Parents described the situation as disorganized and disturbing, especially as traffic jams caused by the ongoing BRT project near NED University worsened access to the centres. “We left home before dawn but waited for hours just to enter,” said a student from Gulshan-e-Hadeed. Parents urged the authorities to suspend traffic or designate alternative routes during such major investigations.
Across the country, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) reported that 140,125 candidates appeared in MDCAT 2025 for 22,000 seats in public and private colleges.
In Sindh, 32,917 graduates registered – including 22,098 women and 10,819 men – confirming the continued dominance of women in medical education. NED University featured 4,003 girls and 1,197 boys, while Dow University hosted 3,764 girls and 1,332 boys.
The test task consisted of 15% easy, 70% moderate and 15% difficult questions. There was no negative marking and candidates were allowed to take questions home.
Strict security and surveillance was maintained at both centers, including biometric verification, metal detectors and CCTV surveillance. The question papers were opened under a five-step security protocol, with even transport vehicles equipped with cameras.
Medical camps were also established to help students suffering from stress, fatigue or low blood pressure.
According to DHO District East Dr Abeera, 147 candidates – mostly women – were treated for headache, nausea and weakness during the exam. Health Minister Rehan Baloch also visited to review arrangements. Despite these measures, parents and students said mismanagement overshadowed the entire exercise. Only one entry gate was opened at Dow’s Ojha Campus, creating chaos and congestion. Many parents, not familiar with the location of the gate, struggled to reach it in time.
Students complained that only two centers for a city of Karachi’s size was unreasonable. Those who come from distant localities like Lyari, Keamari and Landhi said they faced high transport fares and long waiting times. “We paid Rs. 9,000 for the exam but were made to wait for hours,” said Fizza of Korangi, who was appearing for MDCAT for the second time
At NED, ongoing construction and the absence of footbridges made it difficult for candidates to cross roads safely. “Students were seen walking through construction sheds just to reach the centre,” said another parent.
Despite the logistical problems, many students described the paper as fair and well-balanced. However, others said that some chemistry questions were difficult and the heat inside the halls made concentration difficult.
Sukkur IBA Testing Service provided all paperwork and monitored logistics. Mobile phones, smartwatches and electronic devices were strictly prohibited. Police, traffic wardens and emergency teams were deployed outside both centres, but parents said crowd management remained poor.
The PMDC announced that the MDCAT 2025 results will be declared within a week, with a recheck facility available within three days of the declaration of the result. A detailed analysis report will be submitted within 10 days.
The council also clarified that it would not oversee admissions, which will be handled by provincial universities and authorities, ensuring that the entire process remains transparent and merit-based.
