Abstract
Background: Entry test preparation for medical colleges in Pakistan, particularly the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), is associated with intense academic demands. Pre-medical students in Hyderabad, Sindh face significant psychological pressure during this phase, yet this population remains understudied.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of academic burden and stress among pre-medical students preparing for medical entry tests in Hyderabad, Sindh and to examine the relationship between these two variables.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 250 pre-medical students recruited through convenience sampling from coaching academies in Hyderabad. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire comprising demographic information, an Academic Burden Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and Pearson correlation were applied.
Results: The majority of participants were female (56.8%) and first-time MDCAT candidates (53.6%). A significant proportion studied 7 to 9 hours daily (38.4%) and slept fewer than 7 hours per night (86.0%). Most students reported feeling that the syllabus was too vast (62.4%) and experienced peer competitive pressure (60.0%). The PSS-10 revealed that 55.2% had moderate stress and 32.0% had high stress. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between academic burden and stress scores (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). Female students showed slightly higher stress levels than males (p = 0.042).
Conclusion: Pre-medical students in Hyderabad experience considerable academic burden that is strongly associated with high psychological stress. Institutional interventions including stress management programs and guided academic counseling are urgently needed