UHS to Replace Traditional Essay Exams with MCQ Format from 2026

In a major reform to standardize medical education, the University of Health Sciences (UHS) has announced that all theory examinations will now be conducted in a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format starting from 2026. This decision officially marks the end of traditional essay-based assessments across undergraduate and postgraduate medical programs, including MBBS.

The reform was approved during the 40th meeting of the UHS Academic Council, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore. Under the new policy, students must secure at least 65 percent marks separately in both theory and practical components to qualify for passing.

UHS Exam Reform 2026: Key Highlights

The UHS Vice Chancellor stated that the new system aims to ensure objectivity, consistency, and fairness in medical assessments. He added that essay-based exams often lacked standardization, which affected evaluation reliability and delayed result processing.

The MCQ-based format will bring greater transparency and align UHS assessments with global academic standards. To support the transition, UHS has developed a quality assurance framework that includes:

• Structured question blueprinting for balanced coverage of topics
• Examiner training workshops for consistency
• Post-exam moderation and review to maintain fairness

Practical Exams and Internal Assessments

Alongside the theory exam overhaul, practical assessments will now adopt the Objective Structured Practical/Clinical Examination (OSPE/OSCE) model. This shift will evaluate students through standardized clinical and practical stations instead of traditional subjective formats.

Additionally, internal evaluations will retain a 20 percent weightage, ensuring continuous academic assessment throughout the course.

Pilot Implementation in 2025

Before full implementation, UHS will launch a pilot phase of the MCQ-only system in nursing programs in 2025. The complete rollout across all medical and dental programs will take place in 2026.

Prof Rathore highlighted that the decision was finalized after extensive consultations with faculty members across Punjab and complies with guidelines set by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

Reaction from Academic Circles

Principals and senior faculty from UHS-affiliated colleges have welcomed the reform, calling it a milestone in the modernization of medical education in Pakistan. Many praised the initiative for its emphasis on fairness, structured evaluation, and international alignment.