The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has approved sweeping changes to its medical examination policy, announcing that from next year, all written exams will consist entirely of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

The reform applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate programs across medical and allied health sciences.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the UHS administration, which also raised the passing marks threshold to 65 percent, marking one of the most significant examination reforms in the university’s history.

Written exams to move completely to MCQs

According to the UHS spokesperson, the university has decided to eliminate short-answer questions in all written examinations, including MBBS, starting in 2026. From that year, only multiple-choice questions will be used to assess students’ knowledge and analytical skills.

As part of the policy overhaul, students will now be required to secure at least 65% marks to pass. Importantly, candidates must achieve this score separately in both theory and practical components of their exams.

UHS officials said the change is designed to enhance academic rigour and ensure that graduates meet the competency requirements expected in professional medical practice.

Policy to apply to all programs from 2026

The new examination system will be implemented uniformly across all undergraduate and postgraduate programs under UHS starting in 2026. This includes fields such as MBBS, BDS, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Allied Health Sciences.

The university said the policy would create a standardized testing framework across disciplines, improving comparability and fairness in assessment outcomes.

Pilot test, staff training this year

To prepare for the transition, a pilot test of the new MCQ-based format will be conducted for nursing examinations later this year. The university has also announced plans for staff training programs to ensure that faculty members are well-equipped to design and evaluate multiple-choice questions effectively.

According to the spokesperson, these training sessions will help maintain question quality, reliability, and academic integrity during the shift to the new examination model.