Everything HPAT and Medicine 2012

kellogscoffey · 20-02-2012 10:28am

CookieMonster.x wrote: »

I read it. I don't belies in what he says at all. He says that the Hpat is keeping "talented young people" who get 600 points from becoming GPs. Just because someone gets 600 points it doesn't mean they will make a good doctor. While I agree that the system now is faulty, I believe it was even more faulty before. The Hpat gives a chance to those who may not get 600 points to get into medicine. I do think that the whole system (leaving cert and Hpat) should be changed. I think interviews would be so much better. It would really separate those who really want to do medicine from those who want it for money, the status or because they are being pushed into it.

Just because someone gets 200+ in a multiple choice exam doesn't mean they'll make a great doctor either! With HPAT, a single 2 1/2 hour (or thereabouts) exam is weighted as over half of the 2 year LC course. That's totally disproportional.

There seems to be a myth perpetuated that a 600-pointer is a socially-inept recluse, incapable of human contact, (which is probably true in a very small number of cases) but for the most part, what it means is that they are bright students who worked very hard to get good results. (btw, I didn't get 600 points myself, so that's not why I'm getting defensive :P)

Why shouldn't there be a HPAT for other courses? (no pedants arguing that its "health professions" aptitude test please, you know what I mean :P) Fair enough, one could argue that med is a high demand course, but so are dentistry, veterinary, pharmacy, law. Many of these require very high points also, yet don't require a further exam. It's not consistent at all at all :rolleyes:

Pugzilla · 20-02-2012 10:50am

kellogscoffey wrote: »

Just because someone gets 200+ in a multiple choice exam doesn't mean they'll make a great doctor either! With HPAT, a single 2 1/2 hour (or thereabouts) exam is weighted as over half of the 2 year LC course. That's totally disproportional.

There seems to be a myth perpetuated that a 600-pointer is a socially-inept recluse, incapable of human contact, (which is probably true in a very small number of cases) but for the most part, what it means is that they are bright students who worked very hard to get good results. (btw, I didn't get 600 points myself, so that's not why I'm getting defensive :P)

Why shouldn't there be a HPAT for other courses? (no pedants arguing that its "health professions" aptitude test please, you know what I mean :P) Fair enough, one could argue that med is a high demand course, but so are dentistry, veterinary, pharmacy, law. Many of these require very high points also, yet don't require a further exam. It's not consistent at all at all :rolleyes:

You forget that the majority of subjects in the LC have absolutely no relevance to medicine. The only subjects that reflect an applicant's academic aptitude for medicine are biology, chemistry and physics. Maths might have some merit when it comes to analysing research papers and doing a higher degree (all but mandatory if you want to become a consultant). This is reflected in the admission requirements for medicine in the UK.

Absolutely ridiculous that a med applicant gets more points for an A1 in French than an A2 in Chemistry. Subjects should be weighted for each course.

Crush525 · 20-02-2012 9:45pm

I was also wondering, if I'm repeating A-Levels, and somehow do worse, can I keep my highest grades from the year before?

ivanh · 21-02-2012 11:12am

Hi guys, I'm sitting the HPAT on Saturday, and I was wondering if rough work paper is permitted/provided in the exam?

Also if anyone has those notes from Clartharlear could they please send them on to me?

Thanks a mill

fleeflyfloflum · 21-02-2012 1:23pm

ivanh wrote: »

Hi guys, I'm sitting the HPAT on Saturday, and I was wondering if rough work paper is permitted/provided in the exam?

Also if anyone has those notes from Clartharlear could they please send them on to me?

Thanks a mill

Nope, no rough work paper.

You can write on the paper though

Eva2012 · 21-02-2012 4:38pm

Hey, so I'm sitting the HPAT in Trinity on Saturday :L just wondering if the actual test is like the practice papers or is it much harder/easier?? It's just I found the UKCAT practice papers far easier, possibly to boost your confidence and I'm curious about the HPAT, also anyone got any last minute tips

I've been really sick recently with the flu and didn't get to do as much work as I'd like for it, so anything at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you!!

ivanh · 21-02-2012 6:27pm

fleeflyfloflum wrote: »

Nope, no rough work paper.

You can write on the paper though

Oh that's sound, cheers!

Panic E · 22-02-2012 10:54am

Hi all. I noticed most of you seem well prepared for the HPAT this weekend, and best of luck with it. I wish I could say the same...

I naively took for granted the info on HPAT's website, that not much preparation would be needed, and decided against ordering the testbook.

The more I read into it, the more I realise that I am brutally underprepared for this test. I cannot find any sample tests online to practice.

I notice there was some info going around, would someone be so kind as to send me links to a sample test or two??? Pretty please

I have looked everywhere.

ECM2012 · 22-02-2012 3:14pm

Does anyone know how the percentiles on the med entry practice exams would compare to the real percentiles one would get?

Panic E · 23-02-2012 12:36am

ECM2012 wrote: »

Does anyone know how the percentiles on the med entry practice exams would compare to the real percentiles one would get?

No idea mate. I'm applying as a mature student just thought I'd post here.

reznov · 23-02-2012 1:16pm

ECM2012 wrote: »

Does anyone know how the percentiles on the med entry practice exams would compare to the real percentiles one would get?

They don't compare whatsoever. Med entry practice exam percentile are versus Australian candidates, not only Irish.

UnholyGregor · 23-02-2012 7:21pm

Hi guys, could someone please tell me if age cards are acceptable forms of id for the hpat?
As i dont have any other one..... if not im totally f**ked...

Derick990 · 23-02-2012 8:05pm

UnholyGregor wrote: »

Hi guys, could someone please tell me if age cards are acceptable forms of id for the hpat?:(

Unfortunately no they are not. This is from one of the hpat reminders.
The only acceptable photo-bearing identification documents for the test are:

1. Current passport, or
2. Current driver’s licence (photo-bearing), or
3. Certified letter of identification from your school or workplace.

But don't worry, if you can get some passport photos done, or if you have some handy, bring them into school and ask for a letter of identification, put your photo on it and get the school's stamp over that. That's what I had to do, they should be able to do it in a few seconds.

karkarpops · 23-02-2012 9:54pm

Right, lads. The day's approaching and I'm TERRIFIED. Any advice on what to do the day before the exam? I think I just need to be more confident in myself. Whenever I imagine the other "HPATers", I think of all of these incredibley intelligent people that I wouldnt stand a chance against...not the best way to go into any exam

Wish everyone here all the luck in the world!

reznov · 23-02-2012 10:35pm

You don't know whether you are an HPATer unless you sit the exam

Random_Person · 23-02-2012 11:16pm

karkarpops wrote: »

Right, lads. The day's approaching and I'm TERRIFIED. Any advice on what to do the day before the exam? I think I just need to be more confident in myself. Whenever I imagine the other "HPATers", I think of all of these incredibley intelligent people that I wouldnt stand a chance against...not the best way to go into any exam Wish everyone here all the luck in the world!

I'm just gonna paste something I posted earlier in the thread.. Good Luck to you

Don't stress yourselves out over it, that is the one thing you cannot afford to do. Do a bit of practice with whatever you can but don't go overboard. Have a good sleep the night before, a good breakfast on the morning, get to your test venue with time to spare and take your seat. Relax and be calm, everyone is in the exact same position as you. When you're finished do not overanalyse the paper, you CANNOT and WILL NOT know how you've faired until the results come out so forget about it the second you put your pencil down.

TLDR; Don't get stressed over the HPAT and the key thing is to be confident.

daithioc · 24-02-2012 10:26am

Does anybody know how to get an idea of what looks like a good score on the acer practice tests?

Orange juice · 24-02-2012 3:20pm

Does anybody know how you can check if acer have your CAO number? I remember putting it in when I registered but I just want to double check! Can't seem to find it anywhere, is it supposed to be on the admission ticket? Slightly freaking out now!! :eek:

QueenOfLeon · 24-02-2012 3:27pm

Orange juice wrote: »

Does anybody know how you can check if acer have your CAO number? I remember putting it in when I registered but I just want to double check! Can't seem to find it anywhere, is it supposed to be on the admission ticket? Slightly freaking out now!! :eek:

I just checked my admission ticket from when I did it (somehow I can still access it after 3 years! :P) and it didn't have my CAO number on it. It should have a candidate number on it though, and you wouldn't have been able to register without the CAO number so I think you can assume that they have it!

Orange juice · 24-02-2012 3:30pm

Oh ok!

Ya it has a candidate number! I put the CAO in so I suppose it's there somewhere, I think I just need to chill!
Thanks!!

QueenOfLeon · 24-02-2012 3:32pm

Orange juice wrote: »

Oh ok! Ya it has a candidate number! I put the CAO in so I suppose it's there somewhere, I think I just need to chill!
Thanks!!

Don't worry about it, they'll have to check candidate numbers against CAO numbers and names before they release the results anyway. Best of luck!

drbtrenier · 24-02-2012 3:38pm

Orange juice wrote: »

Does anybody know how you can check if acer have your CAO number? I remember putting it in when I registered but I just want to double check! Can't seem to find it anywhere, is it supposed to be on the admission ticket? Slightly freaking out now!! :eek:

yes, i had a mini panic attack there too! if you go to the very first email you got from "HPAT-Ireland Online Registration", it contains your details, including your CAO number, which indicates that ACER have your correct number, and all will be fine!

raindrop · 24-02-2012 4:07pm

Tomorrow is The day! Good luck to everybody!

BL1993 · 24-02-2012 7:11pm

Hey, I got a letter from CAO.

Our records show that you have applied for at least one Undergraduate
Medicine course for entry in September 2012.

If you are due to undertake the current year HPAT test, I wish to remind you
of the importance of submitting to ACER of your correct CAO Application Number.

ACER will supply to CAO your current year Irish HPAT results based on your
2012 CAO Application Number.

If this number is incorrect, we will not receive your results.

Please log onto your ACER - HPAT account and ensure that they have your correct
CAO Number.

Where can I do this? Also, on the admission ticket, it says I have to write a number down? What number?

degausserxo · 24-02-2012 7:18pm

Hey guys, just wanted to say good luck to everyone (especially my co-UCD oratory people

) I'm surprisingly calm as I'm not in a good state health wise at the minute.

Anyway, future doctors, best of luck!!

BL1993 · 24-02-2012 7:27pm

Could someone please answer its urgent!

Ambaiste · 24-02-2012 7:32pm

As someone else said above, just check your initial email from HPAT to see if the CAO number they have is correct.

BL1993 · 24-02-2012 7:38pm

Ambaiste wrote: »

As someone else said above, just check your initial email from HPAT to see if the CAO number they have is correct.

What about the number you have to put on the admission ticket?

Ambaiste · 24-02-2012 7:41pm

BL1993 wrote: »

What about the number you have to put on the admission ticket?

That's just the number on your form of identification.

BL1993 · 24-02-2012 7:56pm

The only number on my form of Idenifcation is my PPS number which I got the secretary to put on my letter of certification.

NoHarm1994 · 24-02-2012 8:11pm

Tomorrow will be grand

I actually cant wait to just do it now at this stage

After having answered about 700 HPAT style questions already I think its time to get it over with and get back to only studying for 7 subjects rather than 8

FaoiSin · 24-02-2012 9:11pm

What number do we put on the HPAT admission ticket? just above "Issuing Country"?

Ajireland95 · 24-02-2012 9:16pm

I also would like to know what number to put on the answer form . I assume its the CAO number but the space in the past papers is too short to put it in *panics slightly* :pac:

Edit: Derp, i read the above post wrong, different numbers

FaoiSin · 24-02-2012 9:17pm

Hello I was wondering if anyone knew what Number to put on the HPAT admission ticket just above "Issuing Country"?

isiris · 24-02-2012 9:17pm

do they accept a learner permit as form of id? i know it says that a driver's licence is accepted ,but still not sure.

SorchaJane · 24-02-2012 9:27pm

BL1993 wrote: »

What about the number you have to put on the admission ticket?

Thats the number on the i.d you're using, your passport etc

Ally7 · 24-02-2012 9:29pm

But I'm using a letter, i've no ID, what am I supposed to write there?

partyatmygaff · 24-02-2012 9:33pm

Leave it blank. If there's a number you can put in, they'll allow you to fill it in tomorrow.

isiris · 24-02-2012 10:23pm

isiris wrote: »

do they accept a learner permit as form of id? i know it says that a driver's licence is accepted ,but still not sure.

i emailed them and they said "A Learner Permit is fine if it contains your name, date of birth and photograph" . just in case anybody else has the same question.

Beckyy · 24-02-2012 10:44pm

I'm using my provisional, and theres two numbers; stock number and driver number :P Which one do i put down??

Oween · 24-02-2012 11:56pm

Does anyone know if we're allowed to write on the HPAT test booklet this year?
Because I've heard that you're only allowed do rough work on your test booklet, is this true?

Ajireland95 · 24-02-2012 11:57pm

Just another quick, last minute panic-based question here if you don't mind answering. Roughly what percentage (roughly- i know its weighted oddly) would you need to get 190-210 points? If that's not possible to answer then no bother

leavingcert. · 25-02-2012 12:07am

Hey can I bring my phone in if it's off because I have to be able to ring my parents to collect me after like? Is tere a place to put them? And also, you know the admission ticket... Do you print it all on one page ya? Because the email I got said to fill in the details on the "back" of it!

QueenOfLeon · 25-02-2012 12:12am

Oween wrote: »

Does anyone know if we're allowed to write on the HPAT test booklet this year?
Because I've heard that you're only allowed do rough work on your test booklet, is this true?

You get 2 pieces of paper, the test booklet with all the questions on it, and the computer read answer sheet with all the little boxes. You can't write anything on the answer sheet other than your answers, but you can do as much rough work on the question booklet as you want. There's loads of space around the questions.

Ajireland95 wrote: »

Just another quick, last minute panic-based question here if you don't mind answering. Roughly what percentage (roughly- i know its weighted oddly) would you need to get 190-210 points? If that's not possible to answer then no bother

It really isn't possible to answer. It depends on a lot of factors and as ACER have never released a marking scheme trying to predict it is pointless. Give your best shot at every question, there's nothing more you can do

leavingcert. wrote: »

Hey can I bring my phone in if it's off because I have to be able to ring my parents to collect me after like? Is tere a place to put them? And also, you know the admission ticket... Do you print it all on one page ya? Because the email I got said to fill in the details on the "back" of it!

In my test centre someone went around at the start with a box for everyone's phones, I think this happened in all of the test centres so you should be ok. My admission ticket was all on one page, but honestly, don't worry about small admin details like that, they're really very minor and if you're confused about details just wait until tomorrow and ask the people at registration.

leavingcert. · 25-02-2012 9:31am

good luck everyone

partyatmygaff · 25-02-2012 2:33pm

Section 1 and 2 were great. Section 3 was quite a bit harder than last year but I think I managed alright. How did it go?

degausserxo · 25-02-2012 2:40pm

Meh. Questions were either really hard or really easy, no middle ground imo.

DepoProvera · 25-02-2012 2:51pm

Section 1 was amazing.. Section 2 was pretty good.. I felt I got some of the harder section 3s but overall it was quite hard.. Seems to be the consensus at least...

leavingcert. · 25-02-2012 3:32pm

500thbpost!

was okay I guess .. Hard to know!

michaelm82803 · 25-02-2012 3:35pm

DepoProvera wrote: »

Section 1 was amazing.. Section 2 was pretty good.. I felt I got some of the harder section 3s but overall it was quite hard.. Seems to be the consensus at least...

Section 1.. quite good although ended up guessing around 5 at the end.
Section 2 was a disaster.. literally guessed half the section!
Section 3 was a dream, honestly feel like i only got 2 or 3 wrong!
Overall, i doubt ill get medicine! Went in pretty confident having completed all of the Medntry practice exams with particularly good results in the latter 2 exams. Very disappointed and regret repeating now...
good luck to everyone else though

*Everything HPAT and Medicine 2012*

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Everything HPAT and Medicine 2012