The MDCAT (Medical and Dental College Admission Test) is a crucial examination for students aspiring to enroll in MBBS and BDS programs in Punjab. With each passing year, the competition has intensified, as reflected in the increasing number of applications and the rising merit thresholds.
In 2017 alone, over 48,000 applications were submitted for UHS (University of Health Sciences) MDCAT, marking a substantial growth in interest for medical education. This surge in applications has driven the merit thresholds significantly higher. For instance, the merit for public sector universities in Punjab closed at an impressive 89.1% in 2017, with expectations of a further increase of 3-4 percentage points or more in 2018.
MBBS Merit 2017-18: Merit Trends
Below are the merit details for open seats across various public sector medical colleges and universities in Punjab during the 2017-18 admission cycle:
1. King Edward Medical University (KEMU), Lahore
- Highest Merit: 96.5455
- Lowest Merit: 92.5455
2. Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore
- Highest Merit: 94.3909
- Lowest Merit: 91.4403
3. Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore
- Highest Merit: 95.1364
- Lowest Merit: 90.9416
4. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical & Dental College, Lahore
- Highest Merit: 91.4000
- Lowest Merit: 90.6455
5. Ameer ud Din Medical College, Lahore
Merit details were not explicitly mentioned but align closely with other institutes in terms of competitive thresholds.
Implications for Aspiring Students
The consistently rising merit underscores the importance of securing exceptional marks in both intermediate examinations and the MDCAT. For students aiming to secure a seat in one of these prestigious institutions:
- Rigorous Preparation: Focused study plans and mock tests are crucial for excelling in MDCAT.
- Consistent Academic Performance: High scores in FSc Pre-Medical are indispensable for achieving competitive merit.
- Early Planning: Understanding merit trends and preparing accordingly can give students a competitive edge.
The increasing competitiveness reflects the quality of education and the demand for medical professions in Pakistan. For aspiring doctors, it is both a challenge and an opportunity to strive for excellence and secure their place in these top-tier institutions.
