A fresh probe into MDCAT 2026 test complaints was ordered on an urgent basis by the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, giving the health ministry one week to complete the task.
Representatives from the PMDC stated during the meeting that their internal review detected zero irregularities or anomalies during the testing process.
Senators voiced strong worries about the PMDC rule requiring test-takers to surrender question booklets upon completion, which prevents participants from keeping personal copies.
Lawmakers raised concerns about the failure to release the test publicly, emphasizing that open access to the question bank and testing procedures remains vital to protect academic fairness.
PMDC representatives explained that taking back the test booklets safeguards the question bank and stops future test-takers from obtaining an unfair benefit in later years, but committee members dismissed this argument.
Senators also challenged a newly enacted PMDC policy mandating the MDCAT for students planning to study medicine overseas, a rule that was canceled following committee intervention.
Due to widespread unhappiness with the previous findings, the panel instructed the Ministry of National Health Services to execute a brand-new investigation addressing all grievances and present the results in seven days.
