More than 38,000 students across Sindh province retook the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) 2024 on Sunday, following a Sindh High Court directive to address allegations of widespread cheating during the original examination.
Administered by IBA Sukkur, the re-exam involved 200 multiple-choice questions and lasted 3.5 hours. Candidates were required to arrive at testing centers by 8:30 AM, with strict security measures, including Section 144 enforcement, in place around key centers like the University of Karachi and NED University. Digital devices were banned, and candidates had to present admit cards, CNICs, or domicile documents alongside a picture-bearing mark sheet.
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Vice Chancellor Asif Sheikh of IBA Sukkur assured participants that the re-exam was secure, dismissing concerns about a purported paper leak on social media. Testing centers were set up across Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, and Shaheed Benazirabad, with separate entrances for male and female candidates at NED University. A waiting area for parents was also arranged.
Logistical issues marred the event as heavy traffic congestion on University Road left many students walking to their centers. Long vehicle queues were reported from Safari Park to Karachi University.
The re-exam followed a Sindh High Court order on October 4th after candidates alleged irregularities and paper leaks during the original exam, which saw over 50 students accused of cheating. The court mandated the re-exam to be conducted transparently within four weeks, with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah extending the timeline to six weeks.
Today’s re-exam reflects efforts by the court and the Sindh government to uphold fairness in medical and dental college admissions.
