FoxExams
USA
PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination
600 questions
Session complete
Keep going in the FoxExams app for adaptive practice, mocks, and Ask Fox.
See you tomorrow
About this exam
The PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination (HOAE) is an admissions assessment used by U.S. schools to help evaluate applicants to nursing and other allied health programs. It is not a nursing licensure exam, and taking it does not by itself qualify someone for admission. Schools set their own eligibility rules and decide how to use HOAE results alongside other application materials, so check the requirements for your specific program and admission cycle.
The HOAE commonly covers academic aptitude—including verbal, arithmetic, and nonverbal skills—along with spelling, reading comprehension, natural science knowledge, and vocational adjustment. Science review for nursing applicants can include human anatomy and body organization, the skeletal and muscular systems, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and digestive and urinary systems. Test delivery, timing, and score policies can vary by school. Build a study plan around the current guidance from your program, review core concepts, and use timed practice to find areas that need more work.
How to prepare for the PSB HOAE
- Review the program’s current HOAE instructions and any PSB candidate materials; confirm the sections, testing arrangements, and score-use policies that apply to your application.
- Refresh anatomy and physiology systematically: connect each body system’s structures to its main functions, and revisit foundational biology and other natural science topics listed in your study materials.
- Practice verbal, arithmetic, nonverbal, spelling, and reading-comprehension skills under timed conditions. Review every error to identify whether it came from a knowledge gap, misreading, or time pressure.
FAQ
Who takes the PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination?
Applicants to nursing and other allied health programs may be asked to take the HOAE as part of admissions. Requirements differ by school and program, so confirm whether it is required and whether there are additional eligibility criteria with the institution you are applying to.
What sections are on the PSB HOAE?
The HOAE commonly includes academic aptitude (verbal, arithmetic, and nonverbal skills), spelling, reading comprehension, natural science information, and a vocational adjustment measure. The testing format and arrangements can vary, so consult your school’s current instructions.
What should I study for the PSB HOAE for nursing?
Review the exam’s academic skills and natural science topics, including anatomy and body systems such as skeletal and muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory, and digestive and urinary. Check your program’s current guidance, then use timed practice and review missed questions to target weak areas.