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Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE)

The Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE) is a requirement for admission to the Practical Nursing program at Conestoga College. The HOAE is a web-based assessment that is administered through a computer. This 2.5 to 3 hour exam assesses academic aptitude, spelling, reading comprehension, science, and vocational aptitude.

Only applicants meeting admission requirements and a minimum academic strength are invited to write the HOAE. Offers of admission to this oversubscribed program will be made using a formula which considers academic strength (50%), results on the HOAE (45%), and an assessment of any completed health-related academic credentials the applicant may possess (up to 5%). Such credentials may include, but are not limited to, completed programs in Respiratory Therapy, OTA & PTA, Personal Support Worker, Paramedic, Dietetic Technician, and/or others.

Registering for the HOAE at Conestoga College

Applicants who meet admission requirements and a minimum academic strength will be contacted by the Admissions Office and informed that they must write the HOAE. Detailed registration instructions for the HOAE will be provided in correspondence from the Admissions Office to the applicant, including how to select a date and how to provide payment for the HOAE.

The HOAE can only be written once per academic year. Each application cycle is a new process. Test results from a previous year cannot be used for the current admission cycle. If you are applying to the Practical Nursing program for both the Fall 2013 and Winter 2014 intakes, the same test results can be used for both of those applications, provided the test was taken within the same academic year.

Applicants with disabilities

If you have an identified disability, testing accommodations may be arranged with appropriate documentation. Call (519) 748-5220, ext 3425 for more information and to arrange an appointment time to test.

Please be aware that the type of accommodations will be based on the recommendation of the Disability Specialist and approval of the Program Coordinator.

International applicants

If you are an international applicant, please see the instructions for booking an off-site testing location below. Please note that in addition to the alternate test locations listed (community colleges and universities), international applicants may also request to have their HOAE test proctored at a Canadian Embassy in their home country. (Arrangements must be made by the applicant and will not be facilitated by the international office.) These are the ONLY alternate locations that are accepted. A qualified invigilator (must be a faculty person or authorized testing staff at a college or university or embassy) is also required.

Off-site testing

We strongly recommend that you complete your HOAE test at Conestoga College. However, if you are more than 200 km from Conestoga College’s Doon Campus, you can request off-site testing. It is your responsibility to arrange for an alternate test location (community colleges and universities are the only alternate locations that are accepted) and a qualified invigilator (must be a faculty person or authorized testing staff at a college or university). A computer with internet access is required for you to write the test. You are also responsible for any fees charged by the alternate test location. Conestoga College does not assume any responsibility for problems encountered at the alternate location.

If you wish to apply for off-site testing, complete the following steps:

  • Follow the directions above for registering and paying for the exam at Conestoga College.
  • Download and complete the   HOAE Off-Site Test Request Form.
  • Fax the application to the proctor at least 10 days before the date reserved at Conestoga College.
  • Your Conestoga reservation will be cancelled and your test will be forwarded to the alternate location.

For more information about the HOAE

Please see the following resources:

  1. HOAE FAQs
  2. HOAE sample questions are available at www.psbtests.com/web/guest/test-resources
  3. Practical Nursing program information page at www.conestogac.on.ca/fulltime/index.jsp