HPAT Practice Test

HPAT Exam at a Glance

What changed for HPAT in 2026

• Oct 22, 2026: Eligibility changed to Current or past school-leavers applying to HPAT-required courses (previously Applicants to HPAT-required courses who are in their final school year or have finished school).^[3]
• Oct 22, 2026: Registration opens changed to Early November 2026 for the 2027 test (previously November 2025 for the 2026 test).^[3]
• Oct 22, 2026: Exam fee changed to €167 standard registration for 2027 (previously €164 standard registration for 2026).^[3]
• Oct 22, 2026: Exam fee (Written English) changed to €22 additional (2026 cycle) (previously €22 additional fee).^[4]
• Oct 22, 2026: Time limit changed to 150 minutes (2.5 hours) (previously 150 minutes).^[2]
• Oct 22, 2026: Score release changed to Late June 2027 (standard); mid-to-late April 2027 (mature applicants) (previously Late June 2026; mid-to-late April for UL OT/SLT and mature applicants).^[3]
• Oct 22, 2026: Retake policy changed to Offered once a year, in February (previously One annual testing cycle in February).^[4]
• Oct 22, 2026: Validity changed to One year; valid only for entry in the year of the test (previously One year; same admission year only).^[3]
• Oct 22, 2026: Delivery changed to Remote online proctoring through ProctorU (test centre only for approved cases) (previously Remote computer-based testing through ProctorU).^[1]
• Oct 22, 2026: Number of questions changed to 114 multiple-choice questions (previously 114 questions).^[1]
• Oct 22, 2026: Late registration deadline changed to Late: 25 January 2027 (€245 total); exceptional late: 1 February 2027 (€281 total) (previously 5:15pm GMT, 26 January 2026 (+€75 late fee)).^[3]
• Oct 22, 2026: Registration deadline changed to 15 January 2027, 5:15pm GMT (previously 5:15pm GMT, 16 January 2026).^[3]

HPAT Score Interpretation

Understanding your HPAT result is crucial for medical school applications. Scores are scaled and percentile-based. Practice with the free HPAT - Health Professions Admissions practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (96 questions with answer explanations).

According to Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) — HPAT-Ireland Office, “2.5 hour computer-based test 114 multiple choice questions Written English can also be added”^[1]

HPAT content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official HPAT content outline published by Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) — HPAT-Ireland Office. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through HPAT questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What role does critical thinking play in the problem-solving section of the HPAT?

1. Memorizing medical terminology
2. Applying logical reasoning to evaluate information
3. Recalling historical medical cases
4. Performing routine medical procedures

Answer: B. Applying logical reasoning to evaluate information

Explanation:

B is correct. Problem-solving items give you all the information you need, whether as text, a table or a scenario. Your job is to evaluate that information and reason your way to the answer it supports, which is what critical thinking means here.

• A is wrong because none of the official content areas tests medical vocabulary. The test does not assume any medical knowledge.
• C is wrong because recalling historical cases is a memory task. The answers come from the material in front of you, not from what you have studied.
• D is wrong because clinical procedures are practical skills, and a computer-based multiple-choice test cannot assess them.

Rule to remember: the HPAT measures how you reason with the information you are given, not what you already know.

Example 2

Question: What is the purpose of assessing logical reasoning in the context of healthcare admissions?

1. To evaluate creative thinking skills
2. To assess problem-solving abilities
3. To measure musical talents
4. To test physical endurance

Answer: B. To assess problem-solving abilities

Explanation:

B is correct. Admissions tests assess logical reasoning because it shows how well you can solve problems. Health work regularly involves weighing incomplete information and choosing a sensible course of action.

• A is wrong because creative thinking means generating new ideas, while logical reasoning is about judging whether a conclusion follows from evidence. The two are different skills.
• C is wrong because musical ability has nothing to do with reasoning and is not part of any official content area.
• D is wrong because physical endurance cannot be measured by a screen-based multiple-choice test.

Rule to remember: when a question asks why something is assessed, pick the option that links the skill to how it is used in practice. Options that name unrelated abilities can be ruled out quickly.

Example 3

Question: Which logical reasoning skill involves drawing valid conclusions based on given premises?

1. Inductive reasoning
2. Deductive reasoning
3. Abductive reasoning
4. Analogical reasoning

Answer: B. Deductive reasoning

Explanation:

B is correct. Deductive reasoning goes from general premises to a specific conclusion. If the premises are true and the argument is valid, the conclusion must be true.

• A is wrong because inductive reasoning goes the other way, from specific observations to a general pattern. Its conclusions are probable, not certain.
• C is wrong because abductive reasoning looks for the most likely explanation of an observation. It is educated guessing, not a valid derivation.
• D is wrong because analogical reasoning concludes that something true of one case is true of a similar case. That depends on how alike the cases are, not on the premises.

Rule to remember: if the question mentions conclusions that must follow from given premises, the answer is deduction.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the HPAT-Ireland Information Booklet and the preparation page on the ACER site so you know the question styles, the on-screen timer and the ProctorU rules before you practise. Do a ProctorU system check on the computer and room you will use on test day.

Find your weakest area. Take one set from each content area in the table above without a time limit. Note which area gives you the most trouble and why: misreading the question, reasoning beyond what the information supports, or missing a pattern rule.

Practise by area. Spend most of your time on your weakest area, working through the related sets (for example, the non-verbal sequences set or the interpersonal scenarios set). After each set, read every explanation, including those for questions you got right.

Add timing. Once your accuracy holds steady, work under time pressure. The full test gives you 150 minutes for 114 questions, so practise moving on from a hard item rather than getting stuck on it.

Finish with official practice. Save ACER's official practice material for last, and take it in one sitting under test conditions.

Free HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test Study Tools

Interactive HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• Free HPAT Logical Reasoning Question and Answers — 11 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
• HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

HPAT Registration Process

Follow this timeline to ensure you complete your HPAT registration and are ready for the exam. This applies specifically to HPAT Ireland candidates.

1. Create CAO Application - Apply to the Central Applications Office to get your CAO number.
2. Register with ACER - Create an account on the ACER HPAT website using your CAO number.
3. Pay Exam Fee - Complete payment for the HPAT cost (approx. €152).
4. Schedule Exam - Book your remote proctoring session via ProctorU.
5. Download Admission Ticket - Available approx. 1 week before the HPAT dates.
6. Complete Equipment Check - Ensure your computer meets technical requirements for the online test.
7. Sit the Exam - Take the test during the designated window in late February.

Ready to Ace the HPAT?

Get instant access to our complete HPAT study materials, including full-length mock tests and detailed explanations for every question.

HPAT Sample Questions

The most reliable HPAT sample questions come from ACER, the organisation that writes HPAT-Ireland. ACER states that it produces the only official HPAT-Ireland preparation materials and that every question in its practice booklets has been used in a past test, which makes them the closest guide to the real exam. The booklets are sold as e-books only (no hard copies) through an ACER account, and you do not need to be registered for the test to buy them.

Sample questions reflect the three skills HPAT-Ireland assesses: logical reasoning and problem solving, understanding the thoughts, behaviour and intentions of others (interpersonal understanding), and non-verbal reasoning with patterns and sequences. Questions are multiple choice and are often grouped into units that share one passage or scenario. HPAT does not test subject knowledge, so practice is about recognising question types rather than memorising content.

When working through any practice set, follow ACER's own scoring rules: every question has one correct answer, all questions carry the same value, and no marks are deducted for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank. Time yourself, because the real test runs for 2.5 hours (150 minutes) with each section timed separately. Our free HPAT logical reasoning practice test and the examples below are a good way to warm up before moving on to ACER's official material.

Sample HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. Which problem-solving strategy is particularly important in emergency medical situations, as evaluated in the HPAT?

   • A. Consensus-building
   • B. Time management
   • C. Situational awareness
   • D. Budget planning

Answer: C. Situational awareness

Situational awareness involves being alert and responsive to changing circumstances, crucial in emergency medical scenarios.

Answer: A. Respect for patient confidentiality

Problem-solving scenarios on the HPAT may include ethical dilemmas related to patient privacy and confidentiality.

Answer: B. By improving patient outcomes and safety

Strong problem-solving skills enhance healthcare quality by facilitating effective diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, ultimately improving outcomes and safety.

Answer: B. Sorting patients based on urgency of care

Triage involves prioritizing patient care based on the severity of their condition, a critical skill in healthcare settings.

Take the full HPAT - Health Professions Admissions Test practice test

Official Resources

• HPAT Ireland (ACER) — the official HPAT Ireland website run by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), where candidates register for the exam, download their admission ticket, and view official test information.
• Central Applications Office (CAO) — Medicine — the official Irish body that processes undergraduate medicine applications and combines your Leaving Certificate points with your HPAT score.
• ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) — the organization that develops and administers the HPAT exam internationally, including the HPAT Ireland and other HPAT variants.

Sources & last verified

1. Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) — HPAT-Ireland Office — number of questions, delivery (official source). “2.5 hour computer-based test 114 multiple choice questions Written English can also be added” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 27, 2026.
2. Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) — HPAT-Ireland Office — time limit (official source). “The testing time runs for 2.5 hours (150 minutes) and there is a timer in the top right-hand screen.” Verified Oct 22, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
3. www2.cao.ie — exam fee, validity, eligibility, registration opens (official source). “The cost of applying to the HPAT-Ireland test in 2027 is €167.00 per candidate.” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
4. Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) — HPAT-Ireland Office — exam fee, retake policy, other (official source). “An additional fee of €22 applies to all UL MSc Occupational Therapy & MSc Speech and Language Therapy applicants required to complete the Written English…” Verified Oct 29, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.