13th November 2025
Managing HPAT With Other Commitments
As many of you would have noticed, HPAT preparation takes time. And I mean a LOT of time! It’s often overwhelming trying to get those HPAT practice exams you’d promised yourself to get done as well as study for that first chemistry quiz if you’re in 6th year, or keep up with your GAA training. In many cases, students often lose time, confidence and their interest i ...
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13th November 2025
HPAT 2026 Update: New Timed Break Between Sections
ACER has introduced an important update to the HPAT testing platform that all candidates should be aware of before sitting their exam. Here's everything you need to know about the new timed break policy and how to prepare for it. Background: HPAT's Evolution to Online Testing HPAT moved from in-person to an online testing format following the COVID pandemic, with the firs ...
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10th November 2025
Alternative Admissions Schemes for School Leavers: HEAR and DARE
Applying for a place in medicine is difficult enough for most students. If you have a disability or are from a low socioeconomic background, it can make the process even more challenging. For this reason, alternative admissions schemes are available which help students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to study. Examples of these third level alternative schemes are DARE (Disa ...
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6th November 2025
HPAT 2026 Test Session Bookings Now Open! Here Are 3 Tips
Test session bookings for HPAT 2026 are now available! Full instructions on how to register and book a HPAT 2026 test session are available in the 2026 HPAT Information Booklet. HPAT 2026 will take place online from Friday 13 February to Sunday 22 February, over various timeslots. Sessions on 17, 18, 21 and 22 February are only available to those&n ...
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6th November 2025
HPAT 2026 Registrations Now Open!
Registrations to sit HPAT in 2026 are now open. You can register for HPAT by visiting the ACER website. Detailed information regarding HPAT 2026, including how to register, book your test and sit HPAT, are available in the HPAT 2026 Information Booklet. Here’s a summary of what you need to know. 1. Registrations close in January Registrations to sit HPAT in ...
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3rd November 2025
HPAT 2026 Will Run Online! Here’s What You Need to Know
HPAT historically took place in paper and pencil format. However, due to the COVID pandemic, HPAT ran online for the first time ever in 2021. In following years, HPAT also ran online, and ACER has confirmed that HPAT 2026 will continue in the online format. This blog summarises what you need to know. HPAT 2026 will take place online HPAT 2026 will take place online. Th ...
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31st October 2025
Timeline for Medical Entry 2025-2026
Getting into medicine is a complex process. It’s not just about your academic performance, you also need to succeed in HPAT. There are many important deadlines that you must not miss if you are to enter your dream course. This blog outlines the key dates and tasks so you can ensure you keep on track! Early Preparation Timeline Action Details ...
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23rd October 2025
4 Steps to Balancing the HPAT – the Extra Subject
We are all too aware of how busy sixth year can be. However many don’t consider just how much busier it gets when you decide to sit the HPAT on top of that. Suddenly you have a whole lot more study on top of your expected workload and it can really be like taking on a whole other subject (or two!). Think of HPAT as a subject for which you have no teacher, no homework, and no deadlin ...
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20th October 2025
How I Scored 100th Percentile in the HPAT
I am now a medical student at university, but I remember being in exactly your position, desperate for tips that would help me perform well in the HPAT. So, here you are – the five most important practices that helped me score 100th percentile in the HPAT. Found my ‘Zone of Excellence’ Finding my ‘zone of excellence’ was life changing for me. I found t ...
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17th October 2025
4 Ways to Prepare for HPAT Online
As you may be aware, the HPAT exam next year will proceed as it has in recent years, taking place online. This means that you will take the HPAT exam in your own, predetermined environment at a time chosen by you (within the given window). You will have a proctor overlooking your activities as you complete the HPAT exam, which you will be taking on your own laptop or computer. Having sat th ...
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