JUMPS in scores on the aptitude test for prospective trainee doctors have seen more students with lower Leaving Certificate results gain entry to medical school.

IRELAND’S graduates of the future have used their fingers to click on computing, software and gaming courses in the hope of not having to vote with their feet and look overseas for work.

THE Central Applications Office (CAO) has apologised after posting aptitude test scores for medicine applicants a month early.

PARENTS investing heavily in a medical career for their child should be wary of private grind schools offering “PreMed” courses that do not equate to the actual first year of a medical degree.

THE new test used in addition to Leaving Certificate results to select entrants to medical school is a barrier to poorer students becoming doctors, an equality expert has claimed.

IN my humble opinion, the health professions admission test (HPAT) for entry to medical school is completely inappropriate.

IN response to Dick Barton’s brief assault (Letters, August 22) on the health professions admission test (HPAT) system, I feel it necessary to point out a few facts.

THE Department of Education has insisted no decision to introduce college fees has been made – despite claims by student representatives that colleges have been told to advise incoming students they could have to pay for their education from next year.

THOUSANDS of students will sit an aptitude test being used for the first time, along with their Leaving Certificate results, to help select medical school entrants next month.

LEAVING Certificate students with their hearts set on studying medicine will sit the state’s first aptitude test on February 14 next — St Valentine’s Day.