MDCAT candidates endure heat, traffic woes

Heat, traffic and an early-morning reporting call tested thousands of MDCAT candidates in Karachi on Sunday, with many reaching examination centres after navigating congestion and construction-hit University Road, only to face complaints of inadequate ventilation inside some examination halls. A total of 10,964 candidates appeared for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 at NED University and Dow University Ojha Campus, including 8,410 female and 2,554 male candidates - with women accounting for nearly three-fourths of the candidates. The three-hour test began at 10am, but for many candidates the ordeal started hours earlier. With reporting time set at 6:30am, those travelling from distant areas said they had to leave home as early as two hours ahead of schedule, while construction work and traffic congestion on University Road added to their commute. Some candidates told The Express Tribune that they had to leave up to two hours earlier than usual. The journey was further complicated by traffic congestion and ongoing construction work on University Road. Candidates said they had to make their way through dust and dirt to reach the examination centres, while traffic police personnel were deployed to facilitate the flow of traffic. Some candidates questioned the early reporting time, saying a slightly later reporting schedule would have allowed them to travel with less difficulty and revise briefly before the examination. At NED University, candidates also complained about inadequate ventilation in some blocks, with some saying that fans were either not working or were unable to provide sufficient air. "Because of the intense heat, we had to fan ourselves with paper fans," one candidate said, adding that some students also felt unwell during the examination. A female candidate who travelled from Saddar said the heat caused her hands to sweat, making it difficult to hold her pen while attempting the paper. Candidates said adequate ventilation and basic facilities should have been ensured at examination centres, particularly given the pressure associated with an entrance test. Some candidates also complained that the speakers used for announcements were excessively loud. Medical teams were present at the examination centres and checked candidates' blood pressure. ORS and juice were also provided to those who required them.