The Hpat Ireland examination is an additional exam which students hoping to gain entry to undergraduate medicine in Ireland must sit. Universities in the Republic of Ireland combine your Hpat Ireland score with your Leaving Cert points, and the total determines whether you are successful in your application to study medicine.
The following table equates the old points system with the new, following the introduction of the Hpat exam. The maximum score in the Leaving Cert is 625 (including 25 extra points for higher lever maths); this is adjusted to a maximum score of 565 for medicine entry.
| Leaving Cert points | Adjusted points for medicine |
|---|---|
| 550 | 550 |
| 555 | 551 |
| 560 | 552 |
| 565 | 553 |
| 570 | 554 |
| 575 | 555 |
| 580 | 556 |
| 585 | 557 |
| 590 | 558 |
| 595 | 559 |
| 600 | 560 |
| 605 | 561 |
| 610 | 562 |
| 615 | 563 |
| 620 | 564 |
| 625 | 565 |
Understanding the Hpat: The Hpat examination is a test of general reasoning ability. The test is designed to provide a measure of your aptitude for the study of medicine and your suitability to work as a doctor. Hpat Ireland is not based on learned material, on curriculum content or on the study of particular subjects. It tests your ability to understand and respond to a set of questions and scenarios, as well as your capacity to handle stressful situations.
Preparing for the exam: The style and format of Hpat questions will be alien to the vast majority of students. It is therefore essential that you practise and familiarise yourself with Hpat exams before you sit the actual exam. It is important that you are as well-prepared as possible and develop your thinking style and test-taking strategies in the lead up in order to perform to your potential on the day. It is equally important, however, to remember that while 565 points are available from the Leaving Cert, only 300 points are theoretically available from the Hpat exam. In reality, those candidates who scored 200 and above in the 2011 and 2012 Hpat exams were placed in the top 1-2 per cent of all candidates in the country. The Leaving Cert therefore effectively represents over 70 per cent of the marks available for entry to medicine. For this reason the Leaving Cert remains the cornerstone of any application to study undergraduate medicine.
It is also important to note that the Hpat does not benefit from hours of continuous study. Practice materials should only be studied for short periods of time when you are feeling fresh and attentive. Spending more than two hours studying Hpat materials in one sitting will have a reduced effect, and ultimately waste study time.
Most students can enhance their Hpat Ireland test score to a certain extent with effective preparation, but the level of improvement will be limited by their inherent abilities. This is due to some Hpat questions having an intuitive aspect which does not benefit from study in the same way geography or maths would benefit. In contrast, there really is no substitution for consistent, structured study throughout the Leaving Cert cycle to maximise your points tally. For this reason, it is vital that the Leaving Cert remains your top priority, and that you do not allow your Hpat Ireland preparations jeopardise your Leaving Cert performance.
Here we'll introduce you to some of the question styles you may expect to be confronted with in the exam, and provide you with practical tips on how to approach each type.
Changes on the Hpat exam: This year saw the introduction of two changes in the Hpat exam.
Hpat exam results can now only be used to gain entry to medicine in the same year that you sit the exam. That is, if you sit the Hpat in March 2014, you can use the score to get into medicine in 2014, but not in 2015.
Prior to the 2014 exam, sections one, two and three each counted for one third of the marks available. This year the weighting has changed. Section one and two are now worth 40 per cent each, while section three has been reduced to 20 per cent. The structure of the exam will remain the same, as will the time allowances.
How the Hpat is structured and what each area measures:
- Section 1 – Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
- 44 questions to be answered in 65 minutes.
- Section 2 – Interpersonal Understanding 36 questions to be answered in 45 minutes.
- Section 3 – Non-Verbal Reasoning
- 30 questions to be answered in 40 minutes.
All questions are in multiple choice format with four or five possible responses. There is only one correct answer for each question. Do not leave any questions blank. There is no negative marking in the Hpat, so if you don't know the answer make an educated guess. In most questions you should be able to narrow your options by identifying some answers as obviously wrong. If a question is taking too long, try and rule out one or two wrong answers, guess, and move on.
Timing tips: Timing is key to success in the Hpat. The exam is designed to put you under pressure and see how you react to stressful situations. The key to timing is to know how long 10 questions in each section should take. This allows you to check your progression every 10 questions, without having to check your watch at every question. With practice the timing will become easier.