For Leaving Cert students hoping to study medicine, February means one thing: the HPAT.
But the 2027 sitting is different. It is the first under a revamped points system, and the test is now scored out of a maximum of 150, half the old figure.
Whether you have your eye on the University of Galway or any of the country's other medical schools, here is what is changing and how to give yourself the best chance.
What's changing in 2027
ACER, the Australian body that runs the test, confirms in its 2027 handbook that the maximum HPAT score is now 150. Under the new CAO system, Leaving Cert points are also no longer moderated, so the combined maximum falls from 865 to 775.
The universities made the change amid concerns that expensive HPAT grinds gave some students an unfair edge. In short, your Leaving Cert now carries more weight, and the HPAT less.
Key dates and costs
Registration opens in November 2026 and closes at 5.15pm on January 15, 2027.
Late registration runs to January 25 (€78 extra ). An exceptional late window runs to February 1 (€114 extra ) for those who applied to the CAO by January 31.
The test window runs from February 12 to 21, 2027.
Results are released in late June 2027.
The standard fee is €167, which includes an official practice test. You need a CAO number before you register, and your score only counts for courses starting in 2027.
Five tips from the official handbook
Know the format. The test lasts two and a half hours across three separately timed sections, with no breaks in between. Section 1, logical reasoning and problem solving, has 42 questions in 60 minutes. Section 2, interpersonal understanding, has 42 in 50 minutes. Section 3, non-verbal reasoning, has 30 in 40 minutes and counts for half as much as the others.
Use the official materials. ACER says its e-books hold the only real past questions available. Work through them several times, study the worked solutions, then practise under real timings.
Answer every question. All questions carry equal marks and nothing is deducted for a wrong answer. Don't get stuck: pick your best answer, move on and come back if time allows.
Read widely. The test draws on no curriculum, and last-minute cramming has little benefit. Wide, critical reading is the best preparation for Sections 1 and 2.
Try the demo. Registered candidates get free access to an online demo of the test platform. Use it so nothing on screen surprises you on the day.
On the day
The test is sat at home under a live online proctor. Beforehand, install the ACER Test App and the Guardian Browser, and run the equipment check on the computer and home internet you will actually use. You need a desktop or laptop; tablets and phones are not supported.
Have valid photo ID ready, such as a passport, driving licence or learner permit, Public Services Card or EU ID card. Student cards and digital ID are not accepted. You may also have a label-free clear water bottle, a mirror and a whiteboard no bigger than A4. Paper is no longer allowed, phones and smartwatches are banned, and using AI counts as misconduct.
Allow up to half an hour for identity checks and a room scan before the clock starts. If you lack the equipment or a quiet space, you can request a place at ACER's Dublin test centre on February 20 or 21. Requests must be made by February 4.
Finally, keep it in perspective. From 2027 the HPAT is a smaller piece of the puzzle than ever. Prepare well, then put your energy where it now counts most: the Leaving Cert.
