How Should You Prepare for the HPAT?

How Should I Prepare for the HPAT?

We get asked this all the time — when to start, how much to study, and how to balance it all with school. So here’s my take, based on what worked for me and for the students I’ve worked with.

When Should I Start Studying?

Most students begin in between the summer time and September of 6th year. That’s a good time — not too early to burn out, not too late to panic.

If you’re starting in December or January, it’s still not too late. In fact, many students do extremely well starting then. As the old saying goes:

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

What’s most important? Timed practice. Try to complete as many full HPAT exams under realistic conditions as you can. Exposure is key!

It's hard to find practice exams but ACER have 4 exams available. The second time I sat the HPAT, I used MedEntry for more practice exams (we’re not affiliated).

I saw a huge difference thanks to the volume of practice material and feedback.

TL;DR: Start between Summer and September, but starting later is fine. Just as many timed full length exams as possible.

How Many Hours Per Week Should I Study?

It depends — but here’s a rough framework that worked for me:

• Saturday mornings: One full HPAT exam (timed, no cheating) - 2.5 hours

• Later that day: Review and correct it - 1 or 2 hours

• During the week: 1–2 hours of drills or targeted practice

• Sundays: A weekly 1-to-1 grind

That added up to about 7 hours per week, and I increased it to 2 exams per week as the exam approached.

🧠 Pro tip: In the final week, do very little. You’re better off feeling fresh and focused — like an athlete tapering before a race — than burned out from cramming.

Which is More Important — the HPAT or My Mocks?

Mocks = 0 CAO points. HPAT = up to 300 CAO points.

It’s wild how many people prioritise mocks over the HPAT. Your focus in February should be on the test that actually gets you CAO points.

If your mocks fall close to the HPAT, explain to your teachers that you’re prioritising HPAT prep — in my experience, they’re almost always understanding.

TL;DR: HPAT matters more. Let your teachers know and focus your energy accordingly.

✅ Want Help With Your Prep?

If you found this helpful, check out the site to:

• Book a free HPAT course (Aug 24th,2025)

• Email us about availability for 1-1 grinds (hpatteacher@gmail.com)

  
  

I hope this helped!

P.S. If you're looking for additional structure and guidance to your study, you can join our weekly group masterclass - every Saturday at 10a.m. (The class is live and you can watch back the recordings anytime!). Book here: https://www.hpatteacher.com/challenges