HOAE Practice Test & Study Guide 2026
The Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE Test) is provided by the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) and covers subjects such as verbal ability, arithmetic, natural sciences, and more.
This exam can be tricky if you aren’t sure what to expect - did you know there's an average time limit of fewer than 30 seconds per question? That makes practicing and preparing crucial to your success.
Continue reading to learn more about the PSB HOAE, try free sample questions, and learn valuable tips for passing the exam!
Taking the PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE Test) is a prerequisite for many North American healthcare programs. The Health Occupations Aptitude Exam is a test provided by the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB), which aims to ensure applicants of health-related programs are ready and able to complete them successfully.
The PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Exam covers a wide range of subjects, some of which you've been taught during your time in middle and high school. The test includes 305 questions, with different time limits, spanning over five subtests: Academic Aptitude, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Knowledge In Natural Sciences, and Vocational Adjustment Index.
The amount of time you have per question is less than 30 seconds! As you can see, you are given very little time to complete each of the sections.
This part of the test aims to assess your personality, and whether you are suited for a career in healthcare. Although it is sometimes said that there are no right or wrong answers during a personality test, some responses can have a negative effect on your overall profile. This is why it is best to adapt your answers to the job environment you wish to work in.
This section consists of 90 questions, with a time limit of 15 minutes- which means you'll have approximately 10 seconds per question. Making it very challenging!
Here's an example of what it looks like:
This section of the HOAE measures your academic skills and learning capabilities. The Academic Aptitude section has a time limit of 40 minutes (32 sec per question on average), and it includes a mix of 75 questions, divided into three subsections testing your verbal, arithmetic, and nonverbal skills-
In the verbal questions of the HOAE, you'll get a list of words, and you'll be asked to choose which is the most different in meaning. For Example-
The correct answer is A. All the other words have a negative meaning when describing someone, while Awsome is a good description.
Your aim in the arithmetic subtest is to prove your basic arithmetic skills. Questions in this section include those for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, means, decimals, etc.
The correct answer is 1.
4523+444-3686=1099
In this section, you are tasked with identifying patterns and must choose the correct symbol to complete each one. These types of questions are called Logical reasoning tests, usually consisting of abstract type of questions. These tests aim to measure your ability to attend to detail, evaluate tests, and make judgments or decisions.
The correct answer is 2 (second from the left). Each square contains three shapes. The black circle is the only shape that constantly appears. It “travels” along thecolumn, up and down, one step at a time. The other shapes appear in two consecutive squares and then do not appear in the next square. The shape that remains in the frame (in regard to the last step from the left) maintains its relative position to the other shape (not the circle).
In this exam section, you are required to demonstrate your ability to spell words correctly. You'll face 45 questions with a time limit of 15 minutes total - meaning you'll have 20 seconds per question. Many of the words found in this section will often correlate to the program you are applying to.
The correct answer is A. The right way to spell this word is "Emergency"
This section aims to determine your ability to understand and process what you are reading. You will be asked to answer questions based on the material contained in written passages. This including questions about the author's intent, drawing conclusions from the text, extracting information, etc.
This section consists of 35 minutes, with 35 minutes time cap (average of 60 sec per question)-
Officer Green was on duty and had been observing Mr. Parker’s suspicious behavior for approximately 15 minutes when he decided to stop and question him. He called out to Mr. Parker, produced his badge from the front pocket of his uniform, and asked to see his ID. He told him that he wasn't going to show him his ID and asked him why he wanted to see it. Officer Green responded that he wants to know what he was up to. Mr. Parker said he was not up to anything. Officer Green told him that he doesn’t buy it, and asked him what he has in his pocket. Mr. Parker said it was none of his business and started reaching for something inside his jacket, at which point officer Green pulled out his firearm and told Mr. Parker to stand up against the wall and put his hands up. In his back pocket he found a large number of dollar bills, which amounted to twenty thousand USD and in his jacket’s inside pocket officer Green found only his wallet. Officer Green asked Mr. Parker what was he doing with such a large amount of money and Mr. Parker replied he wasn’t going to talk and that he knows his rights. At this point officer, Green read him his Miranda rights and handcuffed him. He then proceeded to take Mr. Parker with him to the police station to be interrogated.
How much money did Officer Green found in Mr.Parker's pocket?
The Correct Answer is A. Officer Green found on Mr.Parker's back pocket a large number of dollar bills, which amounted to twenty thousand USD.
This section evaluates your accumulated knowledge of high-school level science questions. The topics covered include biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. This section consists of 60 questions, with a time limit of 25 minutes- which means you'll have approximately 20 seconds per question, Which makes it very challenging!
The correct answer is A. The strongest metal on earth is Tungsten.
The HOAE test consists of 5 sections, each including a different amount of questions. In total, the HOAE test includes 305 questions.
Not passing the HOAE the first time means you'll have to retake it at a later date. By preparing beforehand, you can ensure that you get the high score you need to be accepted into the program of your choice in the first place.
In some cases, you can take the HOAE twice a year. In others, you won't be able to take it again until the next available application period. It’s important to note that several months or even years can pass between application periods for certain programs. It’s a good idea to check with the college you’ve applied to regard their policy on taking the HOAE.
Yes. You must pay a fee prior to taking the HOAE. Prices can differ between programs and colleges. You should check with the schools you are applying to for the correct fee information and available test dates.
