The yearly HPAT timeline
HPAT-Ireland runs on the same pattern every year: registration opens in November and closes in mid-January, you sit the test in February, and most applicants get their results in late June. These were the dates for the 2026 test:
| Stage | 2026 test |
|---|---|
| Standard registration deadline | 16 January 2026 (5:15pm GMT) |
| Late registration (€75 extra) | Up to 26 January 2026, then exceptional late registration to 1 February |
| Test window, Sections 1 to 3 | Mid-February 2026 |
| Written English (UL applicants only) | 13 to 14 February 2026 |
| Results, mature and UL MSc applicants | Mid to late April 2026 |
| Results, all other applicants | Late June 2026 |
What about the 2027 test?
ACER has not yet published the dates for the 2027 test. If the usual pattern holds, expect registration to close in mid-January 2027 and the test to run in February 2027. Check hpat-ireland.acer.org for the confirmed dates, and register early: you need your CAO number first.
A preparation timeline
- Autumn: learn the format and try each section untimed, so you understand the question types.
- November to December: apply to the CAO and register for the HPAT. Start timed practice, one section at a time.
- January: sit full timed practice under test conditions and review every mistake. Test your computer and set up the ACER Test App.
- Test week: keep practice light, check your room and equipment, and try ACER’s demo platform once more.
Your result only counts for courses starting in the same year as the test, so plan to sit the HPAT in the year you apply.
Facts on this page are taken from the official HPAT-Ireland website and the ACER Test Taker Information Booklet for the 2026 test, checked in October 2026. Always confirm dates and rules at hpat-ireland.acer.org before you register.