What is the HPAT Ireland exam?
If you are considering undergraduate medicine in Ireland, you will probably come across HPAT-Ireland as part of the admissions process. But what exactly is HPAT, what does it assess and who needs to sit it?
What is HPAT-Ireland?
The HPAT-Ireland is an admissions test used to assist with the selection of students into medicine. This exam measures several things in candidates including logical reasoning, problem solving skills and non-verbal reasoning as well as the ability to understand the thoughts, behaviours and/or intentions of people.
Why is HPAT used?
There are several reasons that this undergraduate entry test to Medicine was introduced. It was aimed at curtailing the ‘points race’ and the need to attain a near perfect Leaving Cert Exam score. Since the HPAT®-Ireland exam was introduced, students require a reduced number of points from their Leaving Certificate Exam.
Another reason is that Universities felt that certain qualities such as problem solving, interpersonal understanding and analytical skills, which are deemed necessary for the medical profession to carry out their duties, were not adequately assessed in the Leaving Cert Exam. As a result, the HPAT-Ireland exam was designed by ACER to help assess these skills.
Important change from 2027: the way Leaving Certificate and HPAT results are combined for undergraduate medicine is changing. Leaving Certificate scores above 550 will no longer be moderated, while the HPAT contribution will be weighted to a maximum of 150 points. Read more about the changes to medicine entry from 2027 here
Which courses require HPAT-Ireland?
ACER currently lists HPAT-Ireland as a requirement for:
- University of Galway – Undergraduate Medicine
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences – Undergraduate Medicine
- Trinity College Dublin – Undergraduate Medicine
- University College Cork – Undergraduate Medicine
- University College Dublin – Undergraduate Medicine
- University of Limerick – Undergraduate Medicine
- University of Limerick – MSc Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification)
- University of Limerick – MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification)
Students should always check the relevant university’s current admission requirements before applying.
How are the entry points to medicine calculated?
For students entering undergraduate medicine from 2027 onwards, Leaving Certificate results and HPAT results will continue to be combined.
The key changes are:
- full Leaving Certificate points up to 625 can count
- the HPAT contribution will be weighted to a maximum of 150 points
- the maximum combined score will therefore be 775 points
- students must continue to sit HPAT in the year of admission
Applicants must also satisfy the individual academic entry requirements for their chosen medical programme.
How long is the HPAT exam and who can sit it?
HPAT-Ireland is approximately 2.5 hours long.
It is available to applicants who are applying to a course for which HPAT-Ireland is required and who can meet the academic entry requirements set by the relevant university.
Medicine applicants need to obtain
HPAT-Ireland is approximately 2.5 hours long.
It is available to applicants who are applying to a course for which HPAT-Ireland is required and who can meet the academic entry requirements set by the relevant university.
Medicine applicants need to obtain a CAO number before registering for HPAT-Ireland. Applicants to the University of Limerick MSc Occupational Therapy and MSc Speech and Language Therapy programmes do not require a CAO number and apply directly to UL.
What does the HPAT exam consist of?
The HPAT-Ireland is an online, computer-based multiple-choice assessment administered through remote proctoring. The test currently contains 114 questions across three sections. ACER
Section 1: Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
Assesses your ability to understand and analyse information, reason logically and arrive at appropriate conclusions or solutions.
Section 2: Interpersonal Understanding
Assesses your ability to identify and understand the thoughts, feelings, behaviours and intentions of other people.
Section 3: Non-Verbal Reasoning
Assesses abstract reasoning and your ability to recognise patterns and relationships in visual information.
Applicants to the University of Limerick MSc Occupational Therapy and MSc Speech and Language Therapy programmes also complete an additional Written English component.
How do I prepare for the HPAT?
Preparation is important for this exam. See how you can be best prepared here with our dedicated HPAT section.
