Entrance test is the basis for attaining an admission in any of the private or public sector university but this year it became difficult to conduct it owing to the fast spread disease of covid-19. However, HEC along with the joint decision of government worked on various alternatives, such as, online classes, promotion without exams etc. Likewise, UET announced the conduction of entry tests using online medium but on a physical place with strict internet controls for maintain transparency and fairness. The dates of entrance test have been announced and more importantly, University of Health Sciences (UHS) is planning to follow a similar model.
UET has been brought on board by the management of UHS for jointly conducting the entry tests in medical institutes across the province of Punjab. Earlier, it was decided by UHS to give admissions based on merits and no entrance test shall be conducted amid the pandemic. But now UHS is planning to suspend that decision and conduct an entrance test. A meeting on the same plan has already taken place between the Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Controllers of Examination and some senior faculty members of both the institutes.
VC of UET said that ECAT tests have been arranged online for the very first time and such a massive task is supported with the partnership of Virtual University. As entrance test will be conducted first time in such manner, therefore, mock exams are also planned in the last week of July, 2020. Mock Test will then be followed with Entrance Tests, which will be conducted from 3rd of August to 6th of August this year. Approximately 33,000 students will appear for the entrance tests during the course of 4 days in different computer labs and multiple shifts across Punjab. These tests are conducted with the approval of Government, therefore, all SOPs will be followed religiously including face masks, hand sanitizers, social distancing and inspecting each and every student’s temperature. UHS has now started planning to conduct MDCAT in a same manner but final decision is yet to be made by all the stakeholders. It is expected that approximately 80,000 students will appear for the MDCAT if it takes place.
