LAHORE: The Punjab Medical Faculty (PMF) has announced a major change to its examination system, with all annual examinations set to move to a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format from December 2026.
Under the new system, examination papers will consist entirely of MCQs, while candidates’ answer sheets will be evaluated through Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines. The change is expected to replace the existing examination format with a more automated assessment process.
According to PMF officials, the new system is being introduced to make examinations faster, more transparent and more efficient. Automated checking through OMR technology is expected to reduce the time required to evaluate answer sheets and help the faculty announce results more quickly.
The use of machine-based checking could also minimise human errors during the marking process. Since OMR machines can automatically read candidates’ selected answers, the system is expected to make result preparation more consistent and organised.
The new format will apply to all annual examinations conducted by the Punjab Medical Faculty from December onward. Students appearing in these examinations will therefore need to prepare according to the revised MCQ-based assessment method.
The reform is aimed at improving convenience for students while strengthening transparency in the examination process. PMF officials believe that faster assessment and result compilation could reduce delays that students have previously faced after completing their examinations.
The Punjab Medical Faculty oversees examinations and certification for various medical and allied health-related training programmes in the province. Its official examination system currently includes annual and supplementary examinations.
The shift to MCQs and OMR-based checking represents a significant move toward technology-driven assessment in Punjab’s medical education system. Students and affiliated institutions will now need to adapt to the new examination pattern before the revised system takes effect in December.
