HPAT and Medicine 2016

Mr Murphy · 03-09-2015 7:46am

Cob9 wrote: »

Hi there I'm in 5th year and am dead set on medicine for 2017 I was just wondering since I'm going to start the hpat revision now and get a head start on it is there any real need for me to do the any of the courses at this stage or should I wait until next year my current subjects are chemistry physics and engineering but I'm hoping to swap engineering for biology just for the sake of med if anyone has any tips for these subjects there greatly appreciated Thanks

I'd hold out for another year and concentrate on getting good grades now because if you study the HPATs now you'll be worn out by 6th year, study them at the start of 6th year you should be fine once you keep on top of your Leaving Cert study, as it's the most important aspect of getting into medicine.You would want to be getting at least 525-530 plus a good score in the HPATs to be safe for medicine.

Cob9 · 03-09-2015 8:10pm

Mr Murphy wrote: »

I'd hold out for another year and concentrate on getting good grades now because if you study the HPATs now you'll be worn out by 6th year, study them at the start of 6th year you should be fine once you keep on top of your Leaving Cert study, as it's the most important aspect of getting into medicine.You would want to be getting at least 525-530 plus a good score in the HPATs to be safe for medicine.

Thanks for the advice hoping for 550 points fingers crossed.i will more than likely get the free acer tests and give them a go during the weekends and bits and bobs like that.

Thanks again

Mr Murphy · 04-09-2015 10:44am

Cob9 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice hoping for 550 points fingers crossed.i will more than likely get the free acer tests and give them a go during the weekends and bits and bobs like that.

Thanks again

No problems. Yeah definitely give them a bash whenever your feeling up to it as you will gradually see yourself getting better. Print if the test paper online and test yourself. Beware of the time as time is essential to have mastered in the exam, the more you test yourself the faster you'll get. Good luck!

Omega28 · 07-09-2015 8:44pm

Any tips /advice for someone taking the HPAT for the first time? Any useful study aids? Mature student applying for college.

Beca19 · 07-09-2015 11:19pm

Omega28 wrote: »

Any tips /advice for someone taking the HPAT for the first time? Any useful study aids? Mature student applying for college.

HPAT 2015 thread will probably be able to give you better advice!

L.c notz · 26-09-2015 3:39pm

Hi guys,
I'm here to ask for advice on hpat and basically because I don't know what to do. I really want to do medicine and my parents would allow it only if I get the points no alternative route so I have to plan everything carefully as I'm getting one chance only.. and since hpat is a 1/3 of the points towards medicine..I want it planned. So getting on to the point .I want advice on the best way to prepare for hpat if there is or any info on hpat prep course . I have some info on med entry and the one held by school of grinds and they are expensive according to me..in the basis of chance (since I don't know if I get high precentile score or high L.C points). Also if do convince my parents they want guaranteed place in medicine... I don't know what to do? Anyone with suggestions? Please...

Robbiert · 04-10-2015 8:31pm

What is you guys' cao preference for medicine? Is there any point putting trinity above ucd because of the pints difference?
Also what's up with the points for ucd med rising so much recently, I'd expect it to be less popular due to the 6-year course but it seems like it's having the opposite effect.
Can someone give me some insight to why ucd has surpassed trinity in terms of points? Maybe the lower entry requirements have something to do with it but it doesn't really explain it.

OMGeary · 04-10-2015 8:35pm

Robbiert wrote:

What is you guys' cao preference for medicine? Is there any point putting trinity above ucd because of the pints difference? Also what's up with the points for ucd med rising so much recently, I'd expect it to be less popular due to the 6-year course but it seems like it's having the opposite effect. Can someone give me some insight to why ucd has surpassed trinity in terms of points? Maybe the lower entry requirements have something to do with it but it doesn't really explain it.

Put them order of preference!!!!
Also trinity may be higher than ucd next year

Doctorhopeful · 04-10-2015 11:17pm

Robbiert wrote: »

What is you guys' cao preference for medicine? Is there any point putting trinity above ucd because of the pints difference?
Also what's up with the points for ucd med rising so much recently, I'd expect it to be less popular due to the 6-year course but it seems like it's having the opposite effect.
Can someone give me some insight to why ucd has surpassed trinity in terms of points? Maybe the lower entry requirements have something to do with it but it doesn't really explain it.

in ucd premed right now and i can only assume the points rise is due to the incredible attraction of the ad astra scholarship - i heard that this year over half the people in the country who got 625 points applied for a course in ucd, of which inevitably a large amount went for medicine. in my direct friend group of ~15 only two didn't get 625 (and they both got over 600 regardless). combined with the hpat being normally distributed it's only logical that ucd's points have risen higher than trinity! however, it's now considerably harder to get the scholarship, it's not just handed to you anymore (am i still a bit bitter? of course not! :rolleyes:) so i think we could expect trinity to narrow the gap or equal ucd next year. that being said, the chance for a free 3k a year is mighty attractive.... (also premed has it's ups and downs for being worthwhile, it's a great time to socialise and have a break, but not so great academically ie bored as sh1t)

iamwanitta · 15-10-2015 8:08am

Hey guys im applying for med in uk with just chemistry and maths as sciences. Anyone know any unis who will take them on their own ? Tried contacting them, but no help given

Thanks a mill

Bazinga_N · 20-10-2015 8:31pm

iamwanitta wrote: »

Hey guys im applying for med in uk with just chemistry and maths as sciences. Anyone know any unis who will take them on their own ? Tried contacting them, but no help given

Thanks a mill

Hate to be the one telling you but applications to Med ended on the 15th of October (the day you posted that)! I'm afraid you're probably too late!

Consonata · 21-10-2015 10:27pm

How is everybody balancing school study with HPAT study?

Mobot · 01-11-2015 11:25pm

Hey guys! hope you are all well! I have messaged some of you with regards to HPAT advice.

I am looking to complete all of the paper material that I can get my hands on!

I previously wasn't looking to complete any Med--Entry material, but have recently got several exams in paper form! so about 8 exams, this includes 1 mock from one of their courses and some sample questions. Funnily enough, I bought those exams and came to find, that they are from
Med--entry! I have a preference for material that simulates the conditions of the actual HPAT.

I also have 8 exams from the Institute of Education. 4 from Acer, 3 from Career Services and a few more from another company, about five more. As well as these exams, I have a lot of questions with solutions from all of these companies.

I was wondering, would this material be enough to achieve a great score?

also, do you have any advice with regards to the Leaving Cert? I am doing Maths, the three businesses, Chemistry, Biology, German, pass English and Irish.

Thanks a million guys, would really appreciate all the help that I can get

.

Take Your Pants Off · 03-11-2015 5:35pm

Sorry of this is considered advertising, my school guidance counselor was telling us about this:
http://www.introtomed.com/?utm_campaign=7ccf9e5de8-HPAT_Prep_DublinCork14&utm_medium=email&utm_source=All%2BSchools%2Bin%2BRepublic%2Bof%2BIreland&utm_term=0_76be54ef40-7ccf9e5de8-#!booking/c24i2
It might be interest in some of ye.

Do you think its worth going ?
I was planning to do a hpat prep course, not med entry seeing as it be too expensive for me, those 2 day workshops that are run by tutorial schools.
They are around 230E but would they be similar to this one I just posted ?

I have done no study at all for the Hpat, I'll prob just do one of the courses and then 1 or 2 weeks prior to the exam work off the acer papers online from my account that you get.

2nd question is directed to ********:
How do ******** differ from the courses offered by tutorial colleges ?
Has anyone tried both ?

Healium · 08-11-2015 9:20pm

Registration is open now. I've just learned that the practice materials are only valid for 12 months, and I bought mine on the 5th November last year. I'll be damned if I'm paying €56 again to access the same prep materials I paid for last year.

TheBiz · 08-11-2015 11:14pm

Healium wrote: »

Registration is open now. I've just learned that the practice materials are only valid for 12 months, and I bought mine on the 5th November last year. I'll be damned if I'm paying €56 again to access the same prep materials I paid for last year.

Do you think it's necessary? I'm more worried/focused on knowing the layout, timing etc.

person78 · 09-11-2015 5:14pm

Hi, I'm new to this whole process but just wondering if I have HPAT practice papers from 2013 (my sisters) will they be the same questions as this years practice tests? Or should I buy the new ones?

Keher123 · 09-11-2015 11:25pm

Hey guys! Resitting the HPAT this year so does anyone have any advice on studying while at college? Also does anyone recommend any books etc that they found helpful because I don't feel like forking out loads of money for M******y? And finally could someone give me any advice on section 1?,it's by far my worst section! Thanks in advance for any help!

LaurenG · 14-11-2015 3:06am

Hey guys, so I took a year out after the LC to figure out what I want to do and I've decided it's either Medicine or Veterinary Medicine. Sitting the hpat for the first time and doing a prep course, I'm wondering is there anyway to get an actual hpat score out of any of these practice exams? How is it calculated?

Theboybang · 16-11-2015 4:52pm

OK so basically I'm repeating the HPAT this year and I'm not sure that I'm improving that much. I got 60th percentile last year so I only barely missed out. I'm doing the ME course and my scores aren't improving that much on the LMS. I'm really struggling with the middle of sequence questions, problem solving and the reflective scenarios in section 2. I only want to study medicine and I'm taking the year out so I really want to get it this time around. What advice do you have and what can I do to improve?

Thanks

Dublad93 · 06-12-2015 1:04am

Hey guys, if you're looking for more info on studying Medicine in NUI Galway, like the NUIG Medical Society FB page, message us if yee like, or visit our website nuigmedicalsociety. com

L.c notz · 20-12-2015 4:35pm

<snip>

Mod: Read the first post.

L.c notz · 20-12-2015 4:47pm

alaskayoung wrote: »

I'm sorry but doing 2 hours a night of hpat prep is absolute insanity. Hpat prep companies have sold this idea that everyone is capable of getting a good enough hpat score if they practise enough which is simply not true. I know it sucks that it's not but that's just the way an APTITUDE test works. Why would they support this idea when it earns them no money? Familiarize yourself with the layout, download the official acer practise exams to get your timing right and spend some time looking at lots of different section 3 examples. That's the only section that a bit of practice has been proven to improve your score which is why they decreased its % value of the exam. That said your potential score and the amount of time you spend studying it is not linear. Your ability will still peak at a certain point regardless.
There are people who did the hpat with a lot of prep who got excellent scores but they more than likely would have gotten those scores anyway. People who repeat the hpat do better probably because they have been through it before and know exactly what to expect on the day. What about the people who put a lot of time into prep and get poor scores on the day? They're more numerous but funny enough they're not spoken about because they don't sell prep courses. They're not stupid and the people who do well with no prep aren't genii, the latter simply have a better natural aptitude for the exam.
I don't know why I'm even wasting my time writing this. No one is going to take it on board because no one wants to believe that it's true. Don't psych yourself out on the day, don't obsess about it for months beforehand. If it's meant to happen for you, it will. That is how an aptitude test works. Work hard and focus on the leaving cert. That is a result that is completely in your control.
(And I'm sorry but I don't know why the quoted user is advising you to do what he/she did, to spend a huge amount of your study time preparing for the hpat, when his method didn't even yield a good enough result? Not being rude but that doesn't make sense to me). This is what worked for me. I got 91st % with no prep. It's not a popular idea for obvious reasons, everyone wants to believe that they can make it happen for themselves, but in my opinion it's the truth. To give yourself the best chance of success, focus on the exams you can control.

HI, thanks for the advice and all , i believe you are right to say that. at the moment i am in a dilemma . i don’t know what to do . I want medicine desperately and can do anything for it.I have the few exam papers provided by acer and I’m not sure if i should do ******** prep course , they are worth a lot and i don’t want my parents paying for me , since i belong to a large family they can’t afford. Please give me any advice or anyone else who is reading this post. What should I do?. I see you have got high percentile with no prep, can you give me advice how you approached or studied for the test

SDAVID136 · 27-12-2015 8:24pm

Hi,
I was just wondering which hpat prep course is better - ME's course or the institute of education's course.

yoyojc · 04-01-2016 7:27pm

Do ye think it matters if I sign up for the HPAT on the same Acer account I used last year (this is my second attempt). They wouldn't look at that negatively would they?

15MrC · 05-01-2016 5:30pm

yoyojc wrote: »

Do ye think it matters if I sign up for the HPAT on the same Acer account I used last year (this is my second attempt). They wouldn't look at that negatively would they?

No, the HPAT merely provides a score from taking the test, which is passed onto CAO. Nobody will be looking at the account you used, and certainly should not be changing/altering any test scores just because you sat it before with that account.

MedHead1995 · 05-01-2016 10:52pm

Is 56 considered an above average or below average score in Section 2? Or should I say, did many of you score below/above this? (Repeat student here btw!)

WorthlessPeon · 09-01-2016 6:26pm

How's everyone's HPAT prep getting along considering it's in a month? I'm feeling a tad disheartened lately as my online scores have been a little disappointing. At this stage it feels like Medicine just won't happen for me

OMGeary · 10-01-2016 3:00am

WorthlessPeon wrote:

How's everyone's HPAT prep getting along considering it's in a month? I'm feeling a tad disheartened lately as my online scores have been a little disappointing. At this stage it feels like Medicine just won't happen for me

Don't be disheartened and power through. Is it that your scores aren't great or just not great compared to others? Also try to stay positive and don't panic because that will just make section 2 worse.

WorthlessPeon · 10-01-2016 2:37pm

OMGeary wrote: »

Don't be disheartened and power through. Is it that your scores aren't great or just not great compared to others? Also try to stay positive and don't panic because that will just make section 2 worse.

I'd say they aren't great in general but the later exams online seem to be ridiculously hard. Are you doing the HPAT too?

OMGeary · 11-01-2016 1:14am

WorthlessPeon wrote:

I'd say they aren't great in general but the later exams online seem to be ridiculously hard. Are you doing the HPAT too?

Did it last year, try to figure out where you're going wrong and keep working on that. You still have a lot of time before the exam

Wanderer41 · 11-01-2016 11:47pm

Don't worry too much about your online scores. Make sure you read the guides and look at the different tactics for the sections. Go over your mistakes from practice exams and drills. If you haven't been doing exams to time, start now, but don't burn yourself out. Make sure you get enough exercise and sleep - even a short walk after school is beneficial, and don't forget about extracurricular activities!

Take Your Pants Off · 13-01-2016 5:38pm

I know I asked this before, but like a month away for the exam. I just want a bit of assurance and what people think, again!. I was planning to ask this to the grind school in which I was gonna take the hpat course, but theyr obviously going to be biased. Because in the end, theyd have 240€.

I plan to sit the hpat, but I have not studied for it, I plan to study it, the week its on it. Reason being, cuz I really just want to focus on the LC. I originally planned to take a course, with the study, the week of the hpat. But do you think it be a waste of money ?!. If I am not taking the hpat seriously, or would I do really bad, If I do not take the course, cuz I don't want to do that bad either, I want to have a go at it and try to get it, if not ill most likely use the popular med courses (you know which one im talking about) and really get down to it the next year.

But for now .. any other users going in with no course ?. Or have went ?.
My friend did the same last year and he said if your not gonna take med##try than do not bother applying. As he got it this year, with continous study with med##try.

Really appreciate any advice.

Doctorhopeful · 13-01-2016 6:31pm

I did no course last year and got 98th percentile. do what you feel like you need to do.

Take Your Pants Off · 16-01-2016 1:42pm

I just registered for the Hpat now, I choose Cork, to sit the exam.
But, where in Cork is it held?, I know its given to you 2 weeks before the exam, but I just want to know beforehand so I can arrange transportation.

Manutd_4life · 16-01-2016 7:57pm

Since this thread has most medicine destined students, I think this question would be best based here:

What are people's thoughts on doing medicine outside of Ireland particularly in Eastern Europe. Recently it seems that going to the likes of Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria etc is growing in popularity due to easier entry and cheaper living expenses.

I know 2 people who are studying in Budapest and both say that at the end of the day, the degree you get is the same and isn't in any way inferior to an Irish or UK one.

Is anyone considering this route if it doesn't work out here in Ireland?

WorthlessPeon · 16-01-2016 8:09pm

I would definitely consider it, but what have you heard about the quality of these colleges? I presume the courses are taught through English

Manutd_4life · 16-01-2016 8:14pm

WorthlessPeon wrote: »

I would definitely consider it, but what have you heard about the quality of these colleges? I presume the courses are taught through English

I honestly don't know too much about the colleges. The medicine course is taught in English of course and there are plenty of foreign students.

Anyone know anything about the colleges in Eastern Europe?

Gallagher1 · 16-01-2016 11:57pm

Manutd_4life wrote: »

Since this thread has most medicine destined students, I think this question would be best based here:

What are people's thoughts on doing medicine outside of Ireland particularly in Eastern Europe. Recently it seems that going to the likes of Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria etc is growing in popularity due to easier entry and cheaper living expenses.

I know 2 people who are studying in Budapest and both say that at the end of the day, the degree you get is the same and isn't in any way inferior to an Irish or UK one.

Is anyone considering this route if it doesn't work out here in Ireland?

Take a year out/do another year of a course and just repeat the HPAT. At this stage a majority of Medicine entrants are HPAT repeats. I hate to break it but the majority of you first timers will not reach the required percentile in the HPAT because repeats most of the time know their **** and are a year older, which helps a lot.

Also if you are going move across the continent and dish out the fees for some foreign countries ( Bydgoszcz in Poland being 10k/ Charles in Prague being 12k PLUS living expenses) would you not be better off doing a Biomed course here which would ideally prepare you for gamsat and do Grad entry?

Each to their own but thinking on going to eastern Europe on the basis that you don't nail an exam on the first attempt seems a bit rash to me.

Manutd_4life · 17-01-2016 12:09am

Gallagher1 wrote: »

Take a year out/do another year of a course and just repeat the HPAT. At this stage a majority of Medicine entrants are HPAT repeats. I hate to break it but the majority of you first timers will not reach the required percentile in the HPAT because repeats most of the time know their **** and are a year older, which helps a lot.

Also if you are going move across the continent and dish out the fees for some foreign countries ( Bydgoszcz in Poland being 10k/ Charles in Prague being 12k PLUS living expenses) would you not be better off doing a Biomed course here which would ideally prepare you for gamsat and do Grad entry?

Each to their own but thinking on going to eastern Europe on the basis that you don't nail an exam on the first attempt seems a bit rash to me.

You make a fair point and can completely understand your logic. It was just something I noticed becoming more popular recently.

WorthlessPeon · 17-01-2016 1:55am

Gallagher1 wrote: »

Take a year out/do another year of a course and just repeat the HPAT. At this stage a majority of Medicine entrants are HPAT repeats. I hate to break it but the majority of you first timers will not reach the required percentile in the HPAT because repeats most of the time know their **** and are a year older, which helps a lot.

Also if you are going move across the continent and dish out the fees for some foreign countries ( Bydgoszcz in Poland being 10k/ Charles in Prague being 12k PLUS living expenses) would you not be better off doing a Biomed course here which would ideally prepare you for gamsat and do Grad entry?

Each to their own but thinking on going to eastern Europe on the basis that you don't nail an exam on the first attempt seems a bit rash to me.

I understand completely where you're coming from but what about if it doesn't go right the second time either? I've heard of repeats going down in scores

Take Your Pants Off · 17-01-2016 2:00pm

In regards to filling out your cao, am I right in saying you cannot add medicine during the ''change of mind facilities'', but you can remove it.
As currently I only have 1 medicine course on my cao.
If your not allowed to add them during the change of mind facility then, I was thinking of putting medicine in all the college as my top 4, if I see after my hpat results, I have no hope, ill just take 3 of them away, and put in my desired choices.

15MrC · 17-01-2016 2:28pm

Take Your Pants Off wrote: »

In regards to filling out your cao, am I right in saying you cannot add medicine during the ''change of mind facilities'', but you can remove it.
As currently I only have 1 medicine course on my cao.
If your not allowed to add them during the change of mind facility then, I was thinking of putting medicine in all the college as my top 4, if I see after my hpat results, I have no hope, ill just take 3 of them away, and put in my desired choices.

CAO Handbook:

Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 5:15pm on 1st February 2016 if
you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices
list by that date, or added to your application using the ‘Change of Course Choices’ facility before
1st March at 5:15pm.
Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, e.g. the submission of a
portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment – restricted courses are identified in
the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3)” on the same line as the restricted course’s title.
Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted
course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 11 for more information about interviews and
assessments.
Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had
applied for by 1st February 2016, you may be permitted to introduce it on a ‘Change of Mind’. You
should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.

Take Your Pants Off · 17-01-2016 2:58pm

15MrC wrote: »

CAO Handbook:

So I take that as a yes?. I can just leave one restricted course and add others later one if they share the same assessment.
Thanks

Consonata · 17-01-2016 5:26pm

Im just looking at alternate routes just incase the HPAT doesnt go my way, do people often opt for dentistry, retake the HPAT and then transfer into med

15MrC · 17-01-2016 9:00pm

Take Your Pants Off wrote: »

So I take that as a yes?. I can just leave one restricted course and add others later one if they share the same assessment.
Thanks

I'd assume so, but I'd check just to be sure. If you're not applying for another restricted course like music, your safest option would be, as you say, add all the Medicine courses you were considering, then remove them afterwards if you change your mind.

Consonata · 22-01-2016 1:22am

How are people doing percentile wise for the HPAT, considering there is now 37 days till the exam

spurious · 22-01-2016 8:27am

WorthlessPeon wrote:

I understand completely where you're coming from but what about if it doesn't go right the second time either? I've heard of repeats going down in scores

There are few certainties in life and yes, sometimes people go down in the repeats, but if someone has the money and the inclination, I think the European courses are a great option. I would just double check whether any additional course is needed to register in Ireland.

I don't think that is the case though. The main issue Polish-trained people have here is a language one, not anything to do with the quality of their degrees, which they have been at a lot longer than Ireland.

Any of the Polish run clinics I have attended both in Ireland and Poland would put all but a very few places here to shame. I wouldn't worry about it.

IrishLassie26 · 24-01-2016 9:38pm

I've been practicing the career services HPAT questions and have also tried the ******** free sample paper. Does anyone else find the ******** questions way harder than other practice questions or is the ******** standard what the real HPAT is like? ðŸ˜±

15MrC · 25-01-2016 12:20am

IrishLassie26 wrote: »

I've been practicing the career services HPAT questions and have also tried the ******** free sample paper. Does anyone else find the ******** questions way harder than other practice questions or is the ******** standard what the real HPAT is like? ðŸ˜±

Speaking as someone who did the HPAT last year, the CS papers are considerably easier than the real thing. I did the M******y free paper too, and as far as I remember, while it was challenging, it was definitely more like the real thing.

**HPAT and Medicine 2016**

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HPAT and Medicine 2016