Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
146. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills the consideration that has been given to the HPAT exam and the way in which this may adversely affect their predicted grades; if the HPAT score can be carried forward to the following year for those who choose to avail of written exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7211/20]
View answerThe HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department has a function in the administration of the HPAT, including the issuing of results.
Students who choose to sit the 2020 Leaving Certificate exams when it is safe to do so and who receive an improved CAO offer on foot of these results will receive a deferred offer to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. However such offers are part of the 2020 application cycle, and will use the results of the 2020 HPAT sitting.
