Sir, – In addition to the ridiculous notion that a written test done at 18 years can measure your future ability to communicate and empathise with a patient at the toughest time in their life, the concerns regarding a private coaching company apparently predicting HPAT questions ("Medical entry test under investigation", Front Page, March 10th) further expose the flawed thinking behind the test, ie that one can test potential solely and not rote learning, or "examsmanship".
One can be coached to do better at any type of test and it would seem that, while the company in question did not have access to the paper in advance, it certainly has the formula for constructing and answering HPAT questions down to a fine art, which they will share with students fortunate enough to have €595 to hand.
The Leaving Cert-based entry system had its flaws, with private grind schools teaching to a predictable exam. However, at least each school was following the same curriculum – and even if it was not a level playing field at least all the students were playing the same game. In that sense, the HPAT is a new ball game – the rules of which are only available at a price.
How many State schools have the time and resources to cater for the handful of students wishing to take HPAT each year and prepare them for this exam in addition to their Leaving Cert? I have not seen statistics looking at the change in backgrounds of those entering medicine pre- and post-HPAT. However, would anyone doubt that even the perceived advantage of these expensive courses puts talented students of lower-income households at a further disadvantage compared to the pre-HPAT days, when working one’s backside off at the prescribed curriculum paid off, without having to pay €595 for the magic formula to this misguided test? – Yours, etc,
Dr NEIL BARRETT,
Department
of Haematology,
Cambridge Institute
for Medical Research,
Cambridge,
England.