The Punjab government has sought a review of the equivalence criteria applied to Cambridge O and A Level qualifications for admission to medical colleges.
In a letter to the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) Executive Director, the Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department has raised concerns that the existing equivalence mechanism could disadvantage students who complete their secondary and higher secondary education through the Cambridge system.
Under the prevailing equivalence formula, it is really tough for candidates who completed O/A level to compete with those from the Matriculation and FSc streams.
Medical college merit is currently determined by combining candidates’ marks in Matriculation, FSc or equivalent qualifications with their performance in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).
The Punjab government pointed out that differences between the grading structures of Cambridge qualifications and the local examination system can create disparities in the marks awarded for equivalence. This may affect the overall merit position of Cambridge students despite their achieving top grades in O and A Levels.
Given the intense competition for medical college seats, the department has urged the IBCC to reassess the existing equivalence framework and consider measures to ensure a fairer comparison between Cambridge and local qualifications in medical admissions.
