Sindh Conducts MDCAT 2024 Retake for Over 38,000 Candidates
Strict Security Measures Were in Place
The MDCAT 2024 retake was conducted across Sindh on Sunday, December 8, 2024, amid strict security measures. This decision followed a ruling by the Sindh High Court, which annulled the original exam due to allegations of widespread cheating and irregularities during the initial test held in September 2024.
The court mandated that the exam be reconducted within a month under the supervision of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Sukkur.
Over 38,600 candidates registered to retake the exam across six cities: Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jamshoro, and Shaheed Benazirabad.
The retake consisted of 200 multiple-choice questions and lasted approximately 3.5 hours. Candidates were required to arrive at their testing centres by 8:30 AM.
To ensure a secure environment, Section 144 was imposed around examination centres, prohibiting gatherings. Candidates were not allowed to bring digital devices or mobile phones into the exam halls. They had to present their admit cards along with identification documents such as CNICs or mark sheets.
The test was administered at several designated centres:
- Karachi: NED University and Karachi University (12,849 candidates)
- Hyderabad: Public School (6,404 candidates)
- Sukkur: IBA Public School (5,586 candidates)
- Jamshoro: Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (6,254 candidates)
- Larkana: Public Training School (4,802 candidates)
- Shaheed Benazirabad: Quaid-Awam University of Engineering and Technology (2,786 candidates)
The original MDCAT held on September 22 saw about 160,000 candidates participate, but it faced serious allegations of cheating, leading to arrests and petitions for a re-examination.
The Sindh High Court’s decision came after an investigative committee found that the integrity of the test had been compromised.
The retake is part of ongoing efforts by the Sindh government and educational authorities to ensure a fair admission process for medical and dental colleges in the province.
