What is HPAT

The HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test) is a compulsory entry requirement for students applying to undergraduate medicine in Ireland, and for two postgraduate professional programmes at the University of Limerick. If you’re hoping to study medicine in Ireland, your HPAT score, alongside your Leaving Certificate points, plays a central role in whether you secure a place.

HPAT-Ireland is developed and administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), an independent, not-for-profit organisation with decades of experience designing admissions assessments for medical and health-related courses internationally.

Which Courses Require the HPAT?
A HPAT score is required to apply for all undergraduate medicine courses in the Republic of Ireland, and for MSc Occupational Therapy, and MSc Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Limerick (UL)

HPAT Exam Format
The HPAT is a 2.5-hour, computer-based, multiple-choice test, sat remotely via secure online proctoring. It consists of 114 questions across three sections:

Section 1: Logical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
This section tests your ability to interpret and analyse information, then use logical thinking to work through problems and form sound conclusions. Strong performance here relies on careful, methodical reading and practice with a wide range of question styles, not on subject knowledge.

Section 2: Interpersonal Understanding
This section assesses your ability to recognise and understand other people’s thoughts, feelings, motivations, and likely behaviour, an essential skill for a future career in medicine and patient care. Questions are scenario-based and reward genuine, careful reasoning about human behaviour rather than guesswork.

Section 3: Non-Verbal Reasoning
This section measures your ability to identify patterns and solve problems presented visually or abstractly, rather than through text. It tests logical thinking independent of language or specific academic knowledge.

Students applying to UL’s Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy programmes must also complete an additional Written English component, assessing your ability to produce a clear, well-organised piece of writing.

How is the HPAT Scored?
Each of the three sections is scored on a scale of 0 to 100. These aren’t percentage marks, they reflect how you performed relative to other candidates. You’ll receive an individual score for each section, an overall score, and an overall percentile ranking showing how you performed compared to everyone who sat the HPAT that year.

Do I Need to Study for the HPAT?
There’s no fixed syllabus for the HPAT, and no content to memorise. Unlike your Leaving Certificate subjects, the HPAT tests reasoning skills and ways of thinking rather than facts. That means the single most effective way to improve your score is consistent, structured practice, working through a wide variety of question types, learning to manage time pressure, and building familiarity with how each section is structured.

When is the HPAT Held?
HPAT-Ireland runs once a year, in February, with all three sections sat over a short testing window. Registration typically opens several months in advance, and a standard registration fee applies (currently €164), with additional fees for late registration or rescheduling.

How Ace the HPAT Can Help
Preparing well for the HPAT means building genuine skill and exam technique over time, not last-minute cramming. Ace the HPAT, led by Dr John Gannon, has helped hundreds of students prepare for this exam since 2013, combining live, interactive teaching with a substantial bank of original practice questions and mock exams, so students walk into test day prepared, confident, and ready to perform at their best.

The next HPAT exam will be held in February 2027. More information is available at hpat-ireland.acer.org

Ace the HPAT10

How Does the Points System Work?

Your HPAT score is combined with your Leaving Cert points to determine whether you’re offered a place in undergraduate medicine at one of the six participating Irish universities.

From 2027, the points system has changed significantly: the HPAT is now weighted to a maximum of 150 (down from 300 previously), and Leaving Cert points are no longer moderated, meaning your full Leaving Cert score, up to the maximum of 625, counts directly. The new maximum combined score is 775 (625 from the Leaving Cert, 150 from the HPAT). This shift puts more weight on your Leaving Cert performance than in previous years, but the HPAT remains a genuine, meaningful differentiator, particularly for students competing at the very top of the points range.

As always, the HPAT is marked by ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research), and because scoring is percentile-based, the best approach is to focus on consistently improving your own performance across practice tests, rather than trying to predict exact points outcomes.

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What People are Saying

“These classes helped so much when studying for the HPAT. I would 100% recommend them for anyone sitting the exam"
AOIFE, 99TH CENTILE2024
“The HPAT classes were massively beneficial to me. They helped me to develop a strategy for dealing with the exam and gave me a whole pile of new techniques for dealing with specific types of questions. Definitely one of the main reasons I got into medicine.”
CONOR, 99TH CENTILE2015
“I learned so much from going to this class and listening to other people work through questions in ways I never would have thought of.I found it really helpful to learn from different approaches that I could then use to answer future questions.
KATIE, 100TH CENTILE2016
“The classes are great, they’re relaxed and useful for getting you into the mindset of how the questions work and what the exam is looking for. Lots of memes incorporated to keep things going.
JACK, 99TH CENTILE2017
“John’s HPAT (Ace The HPAT) classes were the most helpful HPAT related classes I did. He made the exam seem more interesting and accessible as opposed to the scary impossible exam it is often made out to be.
ROISIN, 99TH CENTILE2017
“I really enjoyed the Ace The HPAT classes and found them extremely helpful. John taught us lots of skills and techniques which definitely helped me boost my HPAT score.
HANNA – 100TH CENTILE2021
The Ace The HPAT classes carried me through my HPAT study this year. The individual analysis of answer options in class, along with time-pressured, competitive practice questions helped me learn how to remain calm during the exam.
SEAN, 99TH CENTILE2022
“Having questions explained and especially being able to talk through some of the more challenging questions was really helpful. I found section 2 especially difficult and hearing other student’s opinions
ALANA, 98TH CENTILE2019
“I felt that John’s classes were a really important part of my HPAT preparation as they kept me on track and instilled confidence in my ability. John gave excellent tips and advice on just about everything to do with the HPAT and I’m very grateful for this.
SORCHA, 98TH CENTILE2017
“I found the classes to be very helpful, particularly with regard to sections 2 and 3. They provided an excellent avenue as to how one should tackle the problems they present.
CONOR, 97TH CENTILE2019
“These classes honestly saved my life when it came to HPAT. John really knows what he’s doing. He gave us tips for practicing and prep and strategies for when we’re actually sitting the exam. I did the HPAT twice, both times with John’s help, and I credit my 96th percentile and 94th percentile to these classes.”
EMMA, 97TH CENTILE2017
“John’s classes were great. They gave us a new way of looking at questions using set methods so I had a clear starting point for each one. It was also great working with a group and seeing how different people approached the questions.
SARAH, 97TH CENTILE2015
“I found the classes were a huge help as they made it easy to put in place a consistent routine as I prepared for the HPAT. Having classes that were 2.5 hours long meant that on the day of my exam I was used to concentrating over long periods of time.
DEARBHLA, 97TH CENTILE2019
The Ace The HPAT classes were a massive help to me in my preparation for the Hpat. Learning from someone who has gone through the Hpat and learning alongside others was so helpful.
ELLA, 96TH CENTILE2020
“The course was so helpful. It was really good to hear how other people approached the questions. John had loads of good advice for all three sections and how to prepare for exam day. Thanks again!”
AOIFE – 95TH CENTILE2021
“These classes helped me prepare massively for the HPAT by simply showing me different ways to approach and think about the various sections in the HPAT exam through listening and interacting with others in the class.
CAMILE, 95TH CENTILE2018
“John’s classes really helped break down one of the most daunting exams I’ve ever taken. He pointed out the ways the HPAT tries to catch you out and provided methods of tackling harder questions.
KATE, 94TH CENTILE2018
“It was very helpful to discuss different techniques for different problems and to compare answers with other students. I thought that the classes were invaluable, enjoyable and would recommend them to anyone studying for the HPAT!”
FREYA, 94TH CENTILE2014
I repeated the hpat this year and decided to attend these classes after hearing great things about them from a friend who scored very well last year. Safe to say I’m very glad I did.
GRACE, 93RD CENTILE2020
I found the classes extremely helpful, especially as a student who had previously sat the HPAT. Connor promoted a relaxed and comfortable environment in class to discuss questions, which for me was the key to doing well in the HPAT.
CAOILFHINN, 91ST CENTILE2020
The Ace The HPAT classes were very helpful in my preparation to sit the HPAT. I initially found section 1 and 3 particularly challenging but the classes gave me the skills and strategies I needed to approach these more difficult questions.
LAURA, 90TH CENTILE2020
“The HPAT preparation classes at Ace The HPAT were amazing. John has a way of explaining questions and solutions that make the exam feel natural and straightforward.
FREYA – 87TH CENTILE2021
Critical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Section

The critical reasoning and problem-solving section of the HPAT assesses the candidate's ability to analyze information, draw conclusions, and solve problems. This section is designed to test the candidate's ability to think critically and logically. The questions in this section are multiple-choice, and the candidate must choose the best answer from a selection of options.

Interpersonal Understanding Section

The interpersonal understanding section of the HPAT assesses the candidate's ability to understand and interpret the emotions, feelings, and behaviors of other people. This section is designed to test the candidate's ability to empathize with others, communicate effectively, and work well in a team. The questions in this section are based on scenarios, and the candidate must choose the best response from a selection of options.

Non-Verbal Reasoning Section

The non-verbal reasoning section of the HPAT assesses the candidate's ability to understand and manipulate visual information. This section is designed to test the candidate's ability to reason using images and diagrams. The questions in this section are based on visual patterns, and the candidate must choose the next pattern in the sequence or the missing piece in the puzzle.