MCAT AND ECAT ENTRY TEST IS NOT GOING TO END, WILL BE HELD IN 2015

PMA, YDA favour entry tests 

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) are opposed to the abolition of entry tests for admission to universities. PMA general secretary Mirza Ali Azhar said on Saturday such entry tests were given across the world.

“An entry test is a good tool to ensure that admissions to medical colleges are granted on merit. There is need to make the system more transparent,” he said. YDA secretary general Salman Kazmi told The Express Tribune, “An entry test is not an odd thing. Medical councils not only recommend such a test but also an aptitude test for admission to medical schools. In the UK and US, you also have to take a test before starting post graduation.”

“The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) decided in favour of entry tests after thorough deliberation, and is following the example of leading medical councils.”

 Kazmi urged the chief minister to reject the recommendation. “If the aim of such a recommendation is to benefit some private institutions, they should be told that national institutions are too strong for that.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2014.