Weeks before: your computer
You sit HPAT-Ireland on your own computer, supervised by an online proctor from ProctorU through your webcam. You will use the ACER Test App and the Guardian browser. ACER’s minimum requirements for 2026 were:
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later, or macOS 11.0 or later |
|---|---|
| Processor and memory | 4 cores at 2.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM |
| Internet | 3 Mbps upload and download. Mobile hotspots and tethering are not supported. |
| Webcam | At least 640 × 480 |
| Screen | One monitor, at least 1366 × 768. Dual monitors are not allowed. |
| Not allowed | Tablets and phones as the test device, and microphones built into headphones |
- Run ProctorU’s “Test Your Equipment” check on the exact computer, network and room you will use.
- Install the ACER Test App well before test day, and update it if asked.
- Use ACER’s free online demo to get used to the test screens.
The day before: ID and room
- Photo ID: a current passport, driving licence (learner, probationary or full), Irish Public Services Card, EU/EEA national identity card, or a certified letter of identification. Digital IDs, student cards, expired documents and photocopies are not accepted.
- Your desk: clear everything except what is allowed. The proctor will ask you to show all four walls of the room and your desk with the webcam.
- Allowed on the desk: a small erasable whiteboard and pen, or 4 sheets of A4 scratch paper with a pencil, eraser and sharpener; a clear water bottle with no label; and a mirror.
- Not allowed: pencil cases, rulers, calculators, food, earplugs and watches.
- Dictionaries: only if English is not your first language, you may use an unmarked, non-electronic bilingual dictionary in Sections 1 and 2. Standard English dictionaries are not allowed.
On the day
- Log in 2–3 minutes before your appointment. Start-up checks usually take 10–30 minutes, and ACER says to allow an extra 30 minutes on top of the test time.
- Your appointment is held for 30 minutes after its start time.
- The test then runs for two and a half hours: Section 1 (60 minutes), Section 2 (50 minutes) and Section 3 (40 minutes), with a 1-minute countdown between sections.
- There are no rest breaks between sections. You can take a toilet break during a section, but the timer keeps running and the room is checked again when you return.
If something goes wrong
If you have a technical problem, the proctor will pass you to technical support. If it cannot be fixed, the test can be stopped and rescheduled. For 2026, ACER set re-sit dates of 17–18 February (remote) and 21–22 February (test centre only). A technical failure is not treated as a no-show; missing your appointment without good reason can cost a €90 re-booking fee.
Practise in the same conditions
Do at least one full practice test at the same time of day, at the same desk, with only the items you will be allowed. Our HPAT mocks run the three sections back to back with ACER’s published timings, so the pacing on the day feels familiar.
Common questions
Is the HPAT sat at home?
What can I have on my desk during the HPAT?
Are there breaks in the HPAT?
What ID do I need for the HPAT?
Can I use a calculator in the HPAT?
Last checked: October 2026. 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.