Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly/frequently asked questions:

1. How many tests must I write and What are the tests about?

Answer: You must write four tests. They are:
• The Placement Test in English for Educational Purposes (PTEEP) is a two hour and 15 minute English test that examines the general use of English language in a number of exercises. For example, candidates are asked to identify several core statements about a piece of writing as either true or false, then write a summary.
• The Mathematics Achievement test (MACH) is a one and-a-half hour test that has been designed to determine the level of mathematical competency of students. This one-and-a-half hour test relies heavily on the mathematical knowledge and skills you have already learnt at school.
• The Mathematics Comprehension Test (MCOM) is a one and-a-half hour that has been designed to examine students on their ability to learn and apply mathematical knowledge, rather than test their knowledge of high school mathematics
• The Reasoning Test (RT) is a one and-a-quarter hour test that is designed to assess a student’s capacity to think scientifically, and be analytical and critical in the manner expected of a university student.


2. In what ways do I benefit by sitting the tests?

Answer: Good scores in the tests:
(a) should give you an advantage over other matriculants with similar school leaving results;
(b) may qualify you for financial aid, bursaries, scholarships, residence place, etc.
(c) could enhance your chances of securing a place in high-demand courses.


3. Why must I write the tests? My matric marks are/will be very good. I regularly score A’s in all my subjects.

Answer: (a) The tests are compulsory for all applicants to the Health Sciences Faculty of the participating institutions.
(b) Many more students than Faculties can accommodate achieve A symbols in Matric. The tests provide a greater spread to these scores, thereby assisting Selection Committees in making their choices.


4. When are they written?

Answer: You may write on any one of the available dates that can be found on the website at “Where and When can I write?”

5. Where are they written?

Answer: You can write the tests at any of the venues indicated on the List of Venues that can be found on this website at “Where and When can I write?” The choice of venue is yours. Please visit this page regularly as venues might change due to circumstances beyond our control.


6. What does it cost to write the tests?

Answer: Payment must be in South African Rands.
The basic cost to the candidate is R200.00, if s/he takes the tests inside South Africa. International candidates must pay an additional R150.00


7. What must I do to write the tests?

Answer: 1. You should first apply to one or more institutions of your choice.
2. The institution(s) to which you have applied will provide us with your details.
3. We will send you a Health Sciences Consortium Information Pack and a Health Sciences Reference Number.
4. Immediately, complete the Biographical Information and Venue Choice Form.
5. The easiest and most time-efficient way to complete and return the Biographical Information and Venue Choice Form to us is by doing it online. The form can be found here and can be accessed with your reference number and password that we will provide you.
6. If you complete and send the form online here then your information is captured and processed automatically.
7. By using your Reference Number and Password (that we will provide), you may check your venue confirmation here 2 (TWO) days after you have submitted your Biographical Information and Venue Choice Form.
8. If you do not have access to a computer, you may fax the completed Biographical Information and Venue Choice Form to the following number: (021) 650 5466


8. At what time should I report to the testing venue?

Answer: You must report to the Chief Invigilator at 07:45


9. What if I arrive late for the tests/first test?

Answer: Candidates may be admitted into the examination room up to 30 minutes after the start of the examination but no additional time will be allowed in which to complete the test. Candidates are not allowed to leave the examination room within the first 30 minutes or the final 15 minutes of the examination other than for medical reasons and they must be accompanied at all times if they intend to return to the examination. The Chief Invigilator may decide to increase the time to 30 minutes before the end of the examination if, in his/her opinion, there would be too much disturbance.

10. Where do I pay?

Answer: The Testing Fee can be paid at any branch of ABSA. Payment must be made only in CASH or BANK GUARANTEED Cheque. You MUST NOT pay the testing fee without writing your Health Sciences Reference number onto the deposit slip.

If this Reference Number is not written onto the deposit slip, the administrators will not know whom the money is from. Without the Reference Number your payment cannot be merged with your Biographical details submitted on your application form. You may still be granted access to the testing venue, since you will have your stamped deposit slip as proof of payment. Your scores will, however, not be sent to the institutions to which you have applied because the system will reflect you as someone who has not paid.


11. Can I pay by cheque?

Answer: Only cash or bank guaranteed cheques will be accepted.


12. Can I pay the testing fee at the testing centre?

Answer: Only in exceptional circumstances and only on the morning of the testing. Test places are first given to those candidates who prepaid the testing fee at the bank as instructed above.


13. When do I get my results?

Answer: Your HeSPT scores will not be released to you directly. Your HeSPT scores will be released only to the institutions to which you have formally applied. If you have applied to more than one institution, your scores will be posted independently to each of the institutions to which you have applied. Health Science Faculties may share the information with other faculties at the same institution (e.g. your second choice faculty).


14. Is there another date on which I can write?

Answer: Testing on dates other than the designated dates for this year must be arranged with the institution(s) to which you apply. Institutions, in turn may, at their discretion, arrange the testing for such candidates directly with AARP. AARP will supply the institution with the required tests and will mark, process and forward the scores to the relevant institution(s).


15. What if I want to study at another university?

Answer: If it is to a faculty other than Health Sciences, you should inform the institution that you have written the AARP tests by providing them with the AARP Registration Form that you will receive when you write. The institution will contact us with the details on your AARP registration form and we will send them your scores.

If you are applying for a programme in a Health Sciences faculty, the institution will automatically request your scores from us.

16. How do I prepare for the tests?

Answer: No special preparation is required for any of the AARP tests.
Do keep in mind the usual commonsense advice given to students who are about to take a test: get adequate sleep the night before. Don’t drastically change your routine on the morning of the test. Avoid having to rush things at the last minute. Others may find that changing their routine the morning of the tests helpful and reassuring. Do what works best for you.


17. Where do I find previous years’ papers?

Answer: Previous years’ tests are not available.


18. How will the university know that I have written the tests?

Answer: Your application details are sent to us as soon as you apply to any of the participating Universities. We, in turn, provide the University/ies with your results.


19. Can I write the tests again?

Answer: All test scores are kept for 3 (THREE) years. You may not rewrite any of the tests within the same application cycle.


20. What do I do if I miss the testing dates?

Answer: Contact the Institution/s to which you have applied. The contact information is available on this website by clicking here


21. What if I do not deposit the testing fee in time?

Answer: Ensure that you take your ABSA Bank-stamped Deposit Slip to the testing venue on the morning that the tests are being written. In exceptional circumstances you will also be allowed to pay the testing fee at the venue on the morning that the tests are written. Test places are first given to those candidates who prepaid the testing fee.


22. What if the testing venue is full?

Answer: All persons who fulfil the requirements, have prepaid, and who want to write will be given an opportunity to write. Special arrangements will be made to accommodate you.


23. What happens if I fare badly in the tests?

Answer: The tests are designed to complement the Matric results. Test scores are, therefore, used as an additional measure to your Matric results and cannot replace your Matric result. Test scores are never used on their own. Therefore, a bad test score by itself will not count against you.
 

24.What do I do about writing the tests if I am taking a ‘gap-year’?

Answer: Applicants who intend taking a ‘gap-year’ in 2007, and intend studying in 2008, should write the tests now, and follow the application procedure as though they will be studying in 2007. There are a number of reasons for this, and further information can be sought directly from the institutions to which they have applied - contact details are available here.


25. How do I know that you have received my Biographical and Venue Choice Form?

Answer: Acknowledgement of receipt of your faxed Biographical and Venue Choice Form will be posted here within 2 (TWO) days after we receive your completed fax.


26. How do I know that administrators at my chosen venue are expecting me?

Answer: Your Venue Choice information is sent to the Venue administrator at the same time that it is posted on the website. The same applies to your payment status, on condition that you have filled in your unique HSC Reference Number.


27. For how long will my HeSPT scores be valid?

Answer: Your HeSPT scores are valid for 3 (THREE) years.


28. I passed Matric 5 years ago. Do I still have to write the tests?

Answer: Yes. All applicants to Health Sciences Faculties must write the tests.


29. I already have a university degree. Do I still have to write the tests?

Answer: Yes. All applicants to Health Sciences Faculties must write the tests.


30. I am in my second year MB ChB at University A and wish to continue my studies at University B. Do I have to write the tests?

Answer: Contact the relevant institutions directly. The contact numbers are available on this website here.


31. It is against my religion to write tests on a Saturday. Am I exempted from writing?

Answer: No! You are not exempted from writing. Contact the institution to which you are applying directly. If you are applying to more that one institution, contact the institution with the earlier closing date, first. The contact numbers are available on this website here.

32. What should I bring to the venue on the day of testing?