For the first time, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, will conduct the Punjab Pre-Medical Entrance Test (PMET) online, on May 15. The move is aimed at ensuring there are minimum hassles unlike last year.
More than 15,000 candidates are likely to appear for the test that covers nearly 2,000 seats in Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) courses in government and private medical colleges in the state. The registration process will begin in the next 10 days, said officials.
BFUHS vice-chancellor Dr Raj Bahadur, said, “By virtue of the experience gained from the successful online entrance test for post-graduate courses in January, we have now decided to conduct the PMET online too. It will not only ensure transparency but also lead to smoother conduct.”
While with the online test there will be multiple examination centres across the state and even in periphery areas, last year was a management and traffic mess as there was only one exam centre near Jalandhar. A large number of candidates could not reach the centre on time that forced the authorities to postpone it by 45 minutes. Even then angry candidates and parents protested outside the centre and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway for nearly two hours.
“We are looking at around 20 examination centres, selection of which will depend on the availability of computers. One centre will have only around 500 candidates,” the V-C said, adding that the exam will be held in a single shift.
{{/usCountry}}“We are looking at around 20 examination centres, selection of which will depend on the availability of computers. One centre will have only around 500 candidates,” the V-C said, adding that the exam will be held in a single shift.
{{/usCountry}}“Online examination is beneficial also in terms of faster results as evaluation is easier. It also curbs chances of any leaks as the paper can be opened only 30 minutes before the scheduled start,” he added.
On the uploading of answer keys after the exam for transparency, he said modalities of that would be worked out at a later stage.