Note: the following information relates to the HPAT-Ireland.
If you are sitting the HPAT-Ulster, please click here for a summary and information on how MedEntry can help.

What is the HPAT-Ireland?
Do I need to sit the HPAT-Ireland?
What is the format of the HPAT?
How do I register for the HPAT?
I have missed the HPAT registration closing date. Can I still sit the HPAT?
When does the HPAT take place?
Where can I get more information about the HPAT?

What is the HPAT-Ireland?

The HPAT-Ireland (Health Professions Admission Test-Ireland) is an admissions test used by Irish medical schools for undergraduate entry into medicine. It is administered by ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research).

HPAT-Ireland measures a candidate’s logical reasoning and problem solving skills, non-verbal reasoning aptitude and the ability to understand the thoughts, behaviour and/or intentions of people.  The test results complement the Leaving Certificate Examination in selecting applicants for admission into an undergraduate medical school programme.

In 2010, undergraduate entry into medicine for school leavers will be based on:

• achieving a minimum of 480 points and meeting the minimum entry requirements for the programme in the same sitting of the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination and;

• completing the required admissions test (HPAT-Ireland) within the 2 year period immediately preceding admission to the medicine programme.

Note: HPAT-Ireland results can be used for application to a medical school for 2 years, therefore if a candidate takes the test in 2010, the result can be used for admission in 2010 and 2011.

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Do I need to sit the HPAT-Ireland?

You will need to sit the HPAT-Ireland if you are interested in Medicine at any of the following universities:

• National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI GALWAY)
  
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
  
• Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
  
• University College Cork (UCC)
  
• University College Dublin (UCD)

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Format of the HPAT-Ireland

The HPAT-Ireland test is a 2½ hour paper-based test consisting of three modules or sections:

• Section 1 tests your logical reasoning and problem solving skills. Some questions test your logical and critical thinking skills. Other questions test your ability to solve problems and interpret data. Overall, this section is designed to test how fast you can interpret information and your ability to think in various ways.
  
  
• Section 2 tests your ability to understand people. You will be given various passages or scenarios describing people and interactions between people. You will need to empathise (put yourself in another person’s shoes), and understand what they might be thinking or feeling. You may also be asked to explain why a person behaves the way they do.
  
• Section 3 tests your non-verbal reasoning. This involves finding patterns and trends in a sequence or block of pictures. It tests your ability to think non-verbally.

The three sections of the test are each given equal weight and the maximum overall score a candidate can receive is 300. An overall percentile rank is also given.  This indicates how well a student has performed against other HPAT-Ireland candidates.

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How do I register for the HPAT-Ireland?

You can register for the HPAT-Ireland online at ACER’s website: www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au  Registrations for HPAT-Ireland will open on the 4th November 2009, and must be submitted online by Monday 18th January 2010. The application fee is €95.00 (reduced application fee may be available).

Note: In addition to an application to ACER, students must first apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) www.cao.ie to complete the HPAT-Ireland test.

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You can still sit the HPAT-Ireland as long as you register by 23:59hrs on 1st February, however you will need to pay a supplementary fee of €50.00.

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The HPAT-Ireland will be held on Saturday 27 February 2010.

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If you have a question, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page on the HPAT-Ireland

More information on HPAT-Ireland can be found at www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au