If you hope to study a medical degree in Ireland, you may need to sit the HPAT exam. This computer-based admissions test is used by all medical schools in Ireland, and has been designed to ensure applicants have the correct skillset for a medical career.
In this article, we provide all the details you need to understand and prepare for the HPAT exam.
Table of contents:
- What is the HPAT?
- Who needs to take the HPAT?
- What is the HPAT exam format?
- Required HPAT scores for admission
- When are HPAT scores released?
- How to register for the HPAT
- Preparing for the HPAT exam
What is the HPAT?
The Health Professions Admissions Test, commonly known as HPAT, is used for admissions purposes by all Irish medical schools. It is created by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and administered by ProctorU. The test is accessible online from anywhere in the world.
The HPAT evaluates non-academic skills, with a focus on those most valued in medical professionals, including logical reasoning, problem-solving, interpersonal skills and nonverbal reasoning.
An HPAT score is a prerequisite for admission onto all undergraduate medicine courses in Ireland and a small number of closely related professional qualifications. It is considered alongside academic grades and gives the university a broader picture of an applicant’s full skillset.
Who needs to take the HPAT?
An HPAT score is a compulsory prerequisite for all EU/EEA students applying to medicine courses at the following universities:
- University of Galway (undergraduate medicine)
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) (undergraduate medicine)
- Trinity College Dublin (undergraduate medicine)
- University College Cork (undergraduate medicine)
- University of Limerick (MSc Occupational Therapy and MSc Speech and Language Therapy)
In most cases, non-EU international students are exempt from taking the HPAT and are assessed on alternative qualifications. Exact criteria vary between universities and applicants are advised to contact their preferred university or the Central Applications Office (CAO) to understand whether they are exempt from the HPAT.
What is the HPAT exam format?
For all medical schools except the University of Limerick, the HPAT lasts for two and a half hours. There are 114 questions in total and the exam is divided into three sections:
Section one: Logical reasoning and problem solving
This first section of the test is 60 minutes long and contains 42 multiple-choice questions. It forms 40 percent of your overall HPAT point score.
Questions in this section of the test fall into three core categories: problem solving, data interpretation and logical reasoning.
Section two: Understanding people
This section of the test is 50 minutes long and contains 42 multiple-choice questions. It forms 40 percent of your overall HPAT point score.
The focus here is on interpersonal skills, and your ability to understand emotions and show compassion. You will be provided with a dialogue, scenario or other text that reflects various interpersonal situations.
The questions ask about how characters might be feeling, why they act a certain way, or the way they speak. There is one correct answer out of the four options.
Section three: Non-verbal reasoning
This section of the test is 40 minutes long and contains 30 multiple-choice questions. It forms 20 percent of your overall HPAT point score.
You will be tested on your nonverbal reasoning, visuospatial skills and problem solving. Candidates must be able to identify logical patterns within figures to answer questions.
University of Limerick: Written English component
University of Limerick applicants must also complete a one-hour written English test. This component comprises two essay prompts and assesses your ability to craft a fluent, creative and organised piece of writing.
The first essay task is about a formal public issue that requires you to make an argument, while the second task is more informal and asks for personal thoughts. Both tasks are marked by two separate graders based on three areas:
- Thought and content: the quality of the ideas
- Structure and organisation: how well the writing is organised
- Expression, style and mechanics: how well the language is used to communicate ideas clearly
Required HPAT scores for admission
The maximum HPAT score achievable is 300 points. However, anyone who achieves over 200 points will find themselves in the top one percent of HPAT candidates.
On results day, you will receive a breakdown of your HPAT score by section, as well as your overall score, which takes section-weighting into account. You will also receive an overall percentile comparing your performance to that of other test takers, which can be an easier way to understand your score.
Every university sets its own entry requirements. These are known as total point scores or CAO points, and are created by combining your final HPAT score with your adjusted Leaving Certificate points (or the points from an equivalent international school-leaver’s qualification).
Entry requirements vary between universities, courses and years. In 2024, the minimum points for admission onto an undergraduate medicine course were as follows:
- University of Galway: 728
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland: 732
- Trinity College Dublin: 738
- University College Cork: 730
Since universities combine HPAT scores with academic results to create their minimum entry requirements, the HPAT is as important as high school qualifications when it comes to being accepted onto a medicine course in Ireland.
When are HPAT scores released?
For most test takers, HPAT scores are released in late June. However, mature students and University of Limerick applicants receive their results in late April. Access to exam results is sent via email from ACER.
How to register for the HPAT
To make sure you can sit the HPAT and receive your score in time, it is important to familiarise yourself with the registration process, deadlines and fees. Prior to registering, you must apply for a CAO number online.
In 2025, the standard HPAT registration fee is EUR 160.80.
Precise dates change each year, but broadly speaking, the process is as follows:
November: Registrations open
- Register for an ACER account on the registration portal
- Register to sit the HPAT exam via your ACER account
- Book a test session with ProctorU, selecting a date and time that suits you within in the test window
January: Registrations close
- Test takers should take care to observe the registration deadline
- Late registrations may be permitted for a short period of time after the deadline, but will incur an additional fee
February: Test window
- Dates vary year-on-year but, generally speaking, the test window runs for two weeks.
- Rescheduling is possible for test takers who experience technical difficulties.
Preparing for the HPAT exam
The HPAT is known for being a challenging exam, so thorough preparation is key to succeeding. MedEntry (2025) recommends dedicating at least 10 percent of your study time to preparing for the HPAT exam, increasing this time closer to the date of your exam.
Time limits make the HPAT exam even more difficult. If you're stuck on a question, it's better to make an educated guess and move on rather than wasting time. You can often get closer to the right answer by eliminating obviously wrong options.
Each section of the test has its unique challenges. Here are some strategies you can employ to overcome them:
Section one strategies:
- Read the question first before finding supporting information in the text.
- Highlight key points or use diagrams to better understand and remember information.
- Try to spend around 86 seconds per question.
Section two strategies:
- Ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of key emotion words.
- Focus on emotions mentioned and conveyed by characters in the text.
- Find evidence for your answers in the text.
- Aim to spend 72 seconds per question.
Section three strategies:
- Start by finding the simplest pattern before moving onto more complicated ones. The simplest pattern is correct.
- Only work out what you have to. If you can work out one element, you may be able to eliminate some incorrect options.
- Aim to spend 80 seconds per question.
Students can access official study materials through ACER. You can also make use of free unofficial HPAT study resources, including practice exams, from reputable organisations such as MedEntry. It is worth sitting practice tests under exam conditions to familiarise yourself with the unique time pressures of the HPAT.
Aside from making use of practice papers and study materials, the best thing you can do to prepare for your exam is to read widely and regularly in English. Practice reading at speed and focus on improving your critical reading skills.
Finally, try to manage your stress levels. This will help your focus and stamina. Strategies include calming breathing exercises or simple steps of self-care like making sure you get a good night’s sleep.
Final thoughts
An HPAT score is an essential entry requirement for EU and EEA students who want to enrol on an undergraduate medicine programme in Ireland.
The HPAT is a challenging exam, but with the right preparation and a clear understanding of what to expect, you can achieve a high score. Combined with your Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), this can help you secure a place at a top Irish medical school and set you on the path to a rewarding career in healthcare.
Use the search tool at the bottom of this page to explore universities offering medicine degrees in Ireland.
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