Modules 2 and 3

Module 2 – Reasoning in the Humanities & Social Sciences (1 hour) for candidates applying for Arts/Humanities courses at UCC, UCD and NUIG, and Law at UCD.

Module 3 – Reasoning in the Sciences, Mathematics & Social Sciences (1 hour) for candidates applying for Science/Ag Science courses at UCD, and some Health Science courses at UL.

These modules of the MSAP test are in multiple-choice format.

Use the Sample Questions (available on this website) to practise your exam technique. Try to find some quiet time when you are unlikely to be distracted. Remember that in the real test there will be 35 questions to be completed in one hour. Try to attempt all questions before checking your answers. Other good preparation is to read widely and think critically about what you read. 

There are 35 questions in each test module. Each question has 4 responses, from which the candidate is asked to choose the most appropriate response. There is only one correct response.

In Module 2, the questions focus on interpretation and understanding of ideas in language. Some questions will ask candidates to identify the main idea in a passage, or interpret specific words and phrases. Inferences or deduced meanings may be required. In some questions the emphasis is placed on analyzing and understanding the stimulus material, and in others the candidates will have to manipulate information and solve problems.

In Module 3, the questions focus on comprehension, application, decision making and solving scientific and mathematical information. Some questions will require candidates to interpret figures, identify connections, relationships and patterns. Other questions will require basic calculation, estimation and application of equations. Some questions will require deduction, extrapolations and using evidence, and others involve problem solving.