Top 10 HPAT Tips for the Last 24 Hours
6 months ago by Tom
So, your HPAT testing day is nearly here and you’ve been working up to it consistently. Now it’s time to put your HPAT strategies into practice.
Here’s some advice to help you be at your prime in the last 24 hours leading up to the HPAT:
Relax the Day Before
Spend the day before doing something you enjoy, something relaxing, something fun and something that will keep your mind off the HPAT. You NEED some time to let your brain and body relax the day before so that you are in perfect condition for HPAT. It can be anything so long as it’s not too mentally exerting. For me it was a day of mindless shopping but you could go to the cinema, go to the beach, take your dog for a walk, bake a cake, or anything else you enjoy.
Surround Yourself With Support
Try and spend the day before with someone who understands the stress you’re facing. For me I spent the day with my Mam who knew the stakes and spent the whole day doing her utmost to keep my mind off the HPAT, knowing this would help me.
Prepare Your Equipment
Have all your equipment ready the day before the HPAT. This includes a small erasable whiteboard and pen, or 2 pieces of A4 paper / pencil / eraser / sharpener, acceptable current photo ID, and a clear water bottle. You should not have any other items on your desk during the HPAT testing session – the proctor will check.
Review HPAT Instructions
If you haven’t already done so, read through the ACER Information booklet and review all emails from ACER that have been sent in the lead up to HPAT. Ensure you follow all instructions carefully. This may involve downloading Apps and performing technical checks.
Eat Well and Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water the night before and some in the morning but not too much that you’ll want to go to the bathroom during HPAT. It’s also important you have a good dinner the night before. There’s nothing nicer than a big fat pizza but not if it’s going to wreak havoc with your stomach the following day so save the treats for when you’ve finished HPAT. A good breakfast is vital - I could never start a normal day let alone a big exam like HPAT without some fuel and any of my friends who said they were too nervous to eat said they regretted it the moment they sat down to the two-and-a-half-hour HPAT test and a rumbling stomach.
Avoid Last-Minute Cramming
Don’t stress over what you have and haven’t covered in your HPAT preparation - you’ve done all you can now and there’s no point trying to cram anything else into your brain. Doing so will leave you frazzled and confused and it will put you off focus.
Boost Your Confidence
A smidgen of cortisol is good before an important exam like HPAT, but too much can leave you overwhelmed. For me I always struggle with stress and nerves before exams. I wrote down, the night before, all the reasons I had to be confident going into the HPAT the next day and re-read them the following morning, and this made me feel much better.
Don’t oversleep!
You might be a night owl or you may have stressed, not slept much and then finally fallen asleep in the early morning. You don’t want to wake up in a panic with only a small window of preparation prior to the HPAT. Set an alarm to wake up at a time where you can eat breakfast, do a final check of your desk and internet connection, do some deep breathing and get prepared for HPAT without rushing.
Warm Up with Reading
Read something before your HPAT testing session begins. I did this before I sat the HPAT and found it really helped me. Reading before your HPAT test helps to warm up your brain and get you in the zone.
Manage Your Time Wisely
Keep your eye on the HPAT timer. The most important thing you can prepare for in HPAT is timing. Know how long each HPAT section and each block of questions should take you so that you’re not stuck for time during the HPAT exam. Having your timings planned will not only prevent you from wasting time in HPAT, but also help you keep your cool in the test.
Be positive and be prepared – and good luck!
Written by Anna, who achieved 100th percentile in HPAT and is currently studying medicine.
