Fraud in residency exam: today, 117 doctors are being reevaluated under extreme surveillance

This Thursday, 117 doctors are once again taking the Single Medical Residency Exam at Palacio Libertad, in an operation reinforced by the Ministry of Health of the Nation. The evaluation is being carried out after serious irregularities were detected in the previous test, held on July 1 at Parque Roca.

The call includes applicants who obtained high results, but whose grades did not match their academic backgrounds. The process, now under strict surveillance, seeks to confirm whether the scores were legitimate or the result of cheating.

Among those present is the Ecuadorian doctor accused of using glasses with a hidden camera to cheat during the previous exam.  Although he was criminally charged, there is currently no court order removing him from the process, so he is taking the exam without any type of device.

Reinforced controls and a race against the clock

The new stage was formalized through Provision 61/2025 and Resolution 2274/25. Of the 141 summoned, 83% appeared today. The 17 absentees will automatically be excluded from the merit ranking to access medical residencies this year.

The written exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions on child health, women's health, adult health, and public health. It lasts four hours, from 9 to 13, and is taken under exceptional control measures: entry with cell phones, smartwatches, calculators, or electronic glasses is not allowed.

Leaving the classroom is only allowed in extreme cases, under supervision. Entrances are thoroughly checked and the Ministry is not responsible for items retained at entry.

Results under scrutiny: which grade is considered valid

Grading is carried out exclusively on the answer sheet submitted by each doctor. If the new grade differs by more than 10% from the previous one, the first result will be invalidated. If the difference is less, the new grade will be applied, although it can never exceed the original score.

The Ministry clarified that the questions used in this test are completely different from those on July 1.  "With 117 people it's almost impossible to cheat, everything is under control," said the Secretary of Health Management, Alejandro Vilches.

The exposed cheating and the criminal case

The scandal broke after a video circulated on social media showing a candidate recording the exam with glasses with a camera. The perpetrator was identified thanks to visible data in the images.

The scheme, according to the investigation, consisted of recording the questions, leaving the classroom with an excuse, sending the images to an external person, and returning with the answers.  The accused obtained 92 points, when in a similar evaluation he had reached only 69.

The Ministry also reported the existence of paid groups on Telegram and WhatsApp where answers were offered. In addition, the use of devices such as earpieces to receive assistance during the test was detected.

The criminal case is progressing in the National Chamber of Appeals in Criminal and Federal Correctional Matters and involves both the material perpetrators and possible accomplices.

Official reactions and defense of academic merit

The Minister of Health, Mario Lugones, stated on social media: "Defending merit means ensuring quality, commitment, and responsibility in health care."

Meanwhile, the Undersecretary of University Policies, Alejandro Álvarez, revealed that about 45% of the 268 cases initially investigated correspond to graduates of foreign universities.

"Eighty-three percent appeared today. Not everyone cheated. Many are good professionals who will revalidate their grade," Vilches concluded.