Quo Vadis Opinions

It’s all change on the CAO  entry system to medicine this year.
For the first time, instead of just undergraduate entry by leaving cert points only, applicants now have to do a separate admission test on Saturday the 14th of February  which is  Valentine’s day.
Points over 550 are now worth less as well.
Overall these changes are a step in the right direction as it means you don’t have to be the perfect  exam genius to do medicine and it might mean in the future that more doctors actually have an ability to communicate effectively.

The psychometric test  used is  HPAT which looks at
           logical reasoning and problem solving
           interpersonal understanding
           non-verbal reasoning

If interested you’ll have to apply by the 20th January or pay an additional supplementary fee to register by the 1st February. This now means medicine is a restricted course, so you cannot apply to medicine after the CAO first closing date of 1st February.

To apply for the test see this link which also provides more details and how to maximise your marks.
Apply early to get your test centre of choice as they make it very clear that once centres are full, applicants will have to go to another test centre.

There’s a limited selection of test questions but you have to pay  €27.50 for a full set of sample questions and these are delivered by snail mail, which can take up to two weeks!  Check with your school career guidance counsellor, if they have a copy you can borrow before paying for these tests. I know some career guidance counsellors already have copies.

Some enterprising companies have already set up weekend training courses for these tests. I’m not sure how much value these add. Psychometric tests are not like the leaving certificate where practise makes perfect.
Psychometric test developers are adamant that trying  sample test questions is enough to help you achieve your natural performance level.
Additionally taking a full weekend out when most students are already working long hours for the Leaving Certificate can be counter productive.

Most students at this stage will have completed ability tests such as DAT’s  etc  as part of the career guidance in schools so will have experience of doing tests under pressure. If you have absolutely no experience of psychometric tests then use this link,   and select these free tests  to practise and receive some free feedback on your test performance. This is the website of SHL one of  the world’s leading test developers.(Disclaimer, I am licensed to use SHL products)
Until the 20th of January 2009, you’ll also have the opportunity to win an IPOD for completing these questions.
I stress these questions as not the same as the HPAT questions, they just give you experience of psychometric tests!

For most students though, a good night’s rest beforehand and making sure you arrive on time so that you are  relaxed and calm is all that’s required. If you wear glasses for reading make sure to bring them along.

Other posts you might find interesting
Pick right CAO course for you
Look beneath surface - CAO trends
CAO under attack

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