A recent resolution aimed at restricting dishonest practices during the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) has decided to stop mobile phone services for a few hours. The decision was made in a meeting led by Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mahsud. Several high-ranking officials, including the Deputy Commissioner Peshawar, Registrar Khyber Medical University, SP Security, SP Special Branch, and other administrative officers, were present to finalize the security and management strategies for the forthcoming MDCAT examination. The mobile signals will only be deactivated near the MDCAT 2024 examination venue on the test day.

Mobile Phone Services Suspension

In order to maintain the credibility of the MDCAT 2024 examination it was decided in the meeting to deactivate the cell phone towers in the vicinity of the MDCAT test centers. Mobile signals will be blocked for a period of 4 hours on the exam day. Furthermore, signal jammers will be set up within the exam halls to block mobile signals entirely. This measure is intended to prevent candidates from using mobile phones to cheat during examinations. A formal letter has been dispatched to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to enforce the suspension of mobile services around the 2024 MDCAT test centers.

Section 144 Enforced Near Test Centers

To enhance the security of the examination environment and deter cheating, Section 144 will be enforced on the MDCAT test day, prohibiting the congregation of individuals near the test centers. This action is designed to eliminate any outside help to candidates trying to cheat and will also aid in the security procedures during the MDCAT exam. The MDCAT 2024 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is set to occur on 22nd September 2024.

Traffic and Security Plans Underway

Besides suspending mobile services, a detailed traffic strategy has been formulated to guarantee uninterrupted traffic movement around the examination centers during the MDCAT test 2024. SP Security has been instructed to station both male and female police officers and organize a robust security plan to protect the examination personnel and the candidates taking the test.

Duties of Local Authorities

The Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar is responsible for creating the comprehensive management plan. At the same time, the Assistant Commissioners will be given distinct responsibilities for each test center to guarantee a smooth operation. In addition, the Peshawar district administration has been directed to set up CCTV cameras within and around the exam centers to oversee activities and discourage inappropriate behavior during the MDCAT 2024 examination.

MDCAT and Exam Centers in Peshawar

This year, approximately 19,000 students are going to attempt MDACT in Peshawar alone. There will be 6 centers in Peshawar to accommodate these aspiring candidates. The MDCAT test is scheduled to take place on 22nd September 2024 in KPK. The PMDC has set the MDCAT syllabus the same for all candidates from any province. It has also instructed the provincial secretaries to prepare medical and dental college admission tests.

The MDCAT 2024 is set to be conducted by public universities across Pakistan. UHS will monitor the MDCAT examination in Punjab. DOW University of Health Sciences, Ojha campus, is responsible for conducting MDCAT in Sindh. Khyber Medical University in Peshawar will administer the MDCAT 2024 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Bolan University of Medical & Health Sciences, located in Quetta, will take charge of the MDCAT in Balochistan. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad and Karakoram International University in Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir have been tasked with all the managing processes to conduct the MDCAT exam 2024.