1. Preamble

  1. This policy describes rules and regulations that oversee the MS and MD examination processes at SIMS, Karachi.
  2. The Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies developed this policy in consultation with the SIMS, Karachi and SIUT faculty.
  3. The policy aligns with the requirements of HEC Pakistan and other professional regulatory bodies.

2. Aims

  1. Provide clear guidelines to the students preparing to take an exam.
  2. Provide a comprehensive framework for the administrators and examiners with clear guidelines for conducting MS and MD exams at SIMS, Karachi.
  3. Ensure that the candidates, faculty, and all officers involved in this process clearly understand their roles and responsibilities.

3. Scope

  1. This policy applies to all MS and MD candidates under training at SIUT and registered as students at SIMS, Karachi. It also applies to faculty members and officers who are associated with the conduct of exams in any manner.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

  1. Controller of Examinations: He/she is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the examination process run smoothly and fairly, with a focus on upholding academic integrity and supporting student success through fair assessment practices. This commitment to fairness is a cornerstone of our examination process.
  2. Convener: The senior most of the examiners in the clinical examiners’ panel is appointed by the Controller of Examinations to supervise and ensure the smooth conduct of the exam.
  3. Paper Setters: Subject experts are given the task of developing exam questions and setting the final exam papers. They are responsible for ensuring that the questions developed align with the program syllabus and meet the required standards. The Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the relevant Associate Dean and Head of Department, recommends a list of three to five experienced subject experts from SIUT faculty to the Controller of Examinations. Controller of Examinations with the Provost’s consent officially appoints the committee of paper setters.
  4. Examiners: SIMS Karachi ensures the fairness of its exam processes by appointing only External Examiners. These examiners are selected based on their academic and professional experience in the relevant field of study, their experience in assessing graduate exams and their reputation for impartiality and professional integrity. Selected individuals should have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in an academic/ professional institution. The experience-duration requirement may be relaxed if necessary.
  5. The following procedure governs the appointment of examiners:
    1. Thesis Reviewers: The Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the relevant Associate Dean and Head of Department, recommends a list of three to five national and international experienced subject experts and forwards it to the BASR. BASR officially obtains consent, appoints them as reviewers and sends them the internally approved thesis for review.
    2. Clinical Examiners: The Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the relevant Associate Dean and Head of the Department, provides a list of professional subject experts to the BASR for approval and appointment as External Examiners. Once approved by the BASR, the Controller of Examinations officially notifies the appointments.
      Note: If there is a deficit in the number of examiners required for the conduct of the TOACS, the Convener may induct internal examiners, provided that the number of internal examiners does not exceed 30% of the total number of examiners required.
  6. Invigilators: The Controller of Examinations in consultation with the Dean and the concerned Associate Dean will appoint the invigilators for the theory examination.

5. Examination Process

The MS and MD Examinations have two main components:
  1. Theory Exam
  2. Clinical Exams
  1. Theory Exam
      Paper I: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
    • Number of Questions: 100 (One Hundred)
    • Total marks 100 (One Hundred), each MCQ carries one mark.
    • Time Allocated: Two hours and 30 minutes
      Paper II: Short Answer Questions (SAQs)
    • Number of Questions: 10 (Ten)
    • Total marks 100 (One Hundred), each SAQ carries 10 marks.
    • Time Allocated: Three hours
    • Passing Marks Required: Candidate must score at least 60% in each theory paper to attain passing status and be eligible to take the Clinical Examination.
  2. Clinical Examinations The MS and MD clinical and oral exams are held once a year, i.e., in the last trimester (October to December) of the academic year. The exact dates vary every year. Every effort is made to provide the confirmed exam dates at least four months in advance.
    Clinical Examination Component:
    1. Task-Oriented Assessment of Clinical Skills (TOACS)
    2. Long case
    3. Short cases
      3. i TOACS: TOACS are held on the first day of the Clinical Examination.
    • Number of Stations: 12 to 15 (varies for different programs).
    • Total Duration: Varies 72-90 minutes depending on the number of stations for a specific program. Six minutes are allocated to each station (5-min exam, 1-min change over time)
    • All stations are interactive.
    • Each station has one examiner.
      ii Long Case Format:
    • Total Duration: 60 minutes
    • History taking and Clinical Examination: 30 minutes
    • Oral Exam (Viva): 30 minutes
    • Two examiners independently assess each candidate for 15 minutes each. Both examiners are present during the assessment. Note: During case discussions, candidates may request laboratory or radiological investigations from the examiners. Candidates will receive these if available; even if they are not available but are relevant, they will receive credit for the request.
      iii Short Cases Format:
    • Total Duration: 40 minutes
    • Candidates are examined jointly by two examiners on four short cases at four different stations.
    • Each station has a different pair of examiners.
    • Ten minutes are allocated to each case.
    • Five minutes allotted for clinical examination, five minutes to discussion.
    c. Thesis Submission and Approval
    1. The candidate should submit the thesis approved by the supervisor/supervisory committee and the Departmental BoS to the Dean of Graduate Studies at least six months before the expected examination date for onward submission to the BASR.
    2. Approval of thesis by the reviewers qualifies the candidate to take the clinical exam. If corrections are required, candidate makes them and submits the corrected final version of thesis to the Supervisor for final review and approval for submission to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

6. Passing the Exam

The MS and MD exams consist of multiple components that include theory and clinical performance evaluations. Qualifying for the award of degree requires the candidates to pass all components.

7. Announcement of Results

Office of the Controller of Examinations communicates results to the candidates via email on the same day.

8. Oral Presentation

After announcement of final results, a candidate declared Pass is required to give an oral presentation focused on his/her thesis research work. This presentation is open to public.

9. Retake Examinations:

  • A candidate who passes the theory component but fails the clinical exam will only retake the clinical exam (all components).
  • Clinical exams are offered every six-months.
  • A candidate who fails one or more components of the clinical exam can retake the exam two times in three years.
  • Total attempts allowed are three. A candidate who avails the three chances in three years and does not clear the clinical exam shall take the theory exam again.

10. Use of Unfair Means and Misbehavior

According to SIMS Karachi policies, using unfair means or misbehavior during an exam is a punishable offense. The Controller of Examinations will forward all reports of alleged use of unfair means and misbehavior to the Unfair Means Cases Committee (UMCC) notified by the Provost. The Committee will make decisions based on established rules that govern the candidate’s behavior during an exam. Prohibited means and behaviors include the following but are not restricted to:

  1. Seeking and/or obtaining unauthorized access to exam resources.
  2. Giving, receiving, or obtaining unauthorized assistance during the exam or attempting to do so (for example, copying from another examinee).
  3. Communicating with another examinee during the exam.
  4. Making notes of any kind during an exam except on the examination booklet or materials provided by the Invigilator.
  5. Failing to adhere to any SIMS, Karachi policy, procedure, or rule, including instructions from examination officers prior to, during, and after the examination.
  6. Displaying behavior that disrupts the exam processes.
  7. Possessing prohibited materials and equipment.
  8. Demonstrating any other behavior, which is deemed as inappropriate by the examination rules.

    9. You can find more information about the SIMS, Karachi UMCC processes on our website.