University of Health Sciences (UHS) has approved major changes to its assessment policy: beginning in 2026, all theory exams for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes — including MBBS — will be conducted entirely in multiple-choice question (MCQ) format, with short-essay questions (SEQs) being eliminated.
The decision was made at the 40th meeting of the UHS Academic Council, chaired by Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore, the Vice Chancellor. Under the new framework, students must secure at least 65 percent separately in theory and practical components to pass.
The policy reform also introduces standardised objective assessments, a quality assurance framework (including examiner training, question blueprinting and post-exam moderation), and formal formats such as OSPE/OSCE for practicals. Internal assessment weightage will remain at 20 percent. The university plans to pilot the MCQ-only system in nursing exams in 2025 before full rollout in 2026.
Officials say the change is meant to enhance fairness, transparency and alignment with global standards, citing that essay-based exams often lacked consistency. Widespread consultation with faculty from medical and dental colleges across Punjab has preceded the reform, which is said to reflect a consensus for modernising assessment practices.
