Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE) FAQs
Q. What is the HOAE?
A. The Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE) is a mandatory part of the admission process for applicants to Conestoga’s Practical Nursing program. The HOAE is comprised of five tests that assess an applicant’s abilities, skills, knowledge and attitudes important for success in various health-related programs and occupations.
Q. What areas does the HOAE cover?
A. The HOAE covers academic aptitude, spelling, reading comprehension, science, and vocational aptitude. Each sub-test of the HOAE has a specific time limit and number of questions:
- Academic aptitude – 40 minutes; 75 questions
- Spelling – 15 minutes; 45 questions
- Reading comprehension – 35 minutes; 35 questions
- Information in the natural sciences – 25 minutes; 60 questions
- Vocation adjustment index – 15 minutes; 90 questions
The total time to complete the HOAE is 2.5 hours.
The HOAE is a web-based assessment that is administered through a computer. You will not be permitted to use a calculator, dictionary, or any other aids.
Sample questions for the HOAE can be found at www.psbtests.com/web/guest/test-resources. These questions are provided to familiarize you with the format of the examination, the directions for completing each examination section, the types of questions contained in the examination, and the content areas measured by the test questions. These questions will not be found in the examination.
Q. How do I book my test date?
A. Applicants who meet admission requirements and a minimum academic strength will be contacted by the Admissions Office and invited to write the HOAE as the next step in the admission process. 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.
Q. Is there a fee to write the HOAE?
A. Yes, there is a $50.00 fee to write the HOAE. Payment is made at the time of online registration. A credit card is required.
Q. Where will I write the HOAE?
A. The HOAE will be written at Conestoga’s Doon campus.
Q. What do I need to bring to the test?
A. You must bring the following to your test session:
- Photo identification
- Confirmation of your registration for the HOAE
- Your ontariocolleges.ca application number
We will provide you with everything you need to complete your assessment.
Q. What happens if I do not write the HOAE?
A. If you do not write the HOAE, your application will be incomplete and you will not be considered for admission into the Practical Nursing program at Conestoga College.
Q. When will I receive my test results?
A. HOAE results will be sent by email within two weeks of writing the test to applicants who have applied to Conestoga's Practical Nursing program and who have written the HOAE at Conestoga. We are unable to provide HOAE results to students who have not applied to Conestoga but who wrote the HOAE here. In such instances, the applicant should contact the college to which they have applied for appropriate instructions on how to obtain their results.
Q. Can I rewrite if I do poorly?
A. You may only write the HOAE once per academic year. There will be no rewrites.
Q. Can I use my test results on the HOAE from last year?
A. 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.
Q. I am writing the HOAE at another college. Can I use these results for my application to Conestoga as well?
A. If you are writing the HOAE at another college for the same application cycle, you may have the scores distributed to Conestoga. HOAE results for applicants to Ontario colleges will be distributed by ontariocolleges.ca. All colleges to which you have applied will receive a copy of your HOAE results, provided it is a college and program which requires HOAE as part of the admission process.
Q. Can I write the test at a different location?
A. 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
Please note that each college has its own deadlines for receiving HOAE results. Please check the HOAE information provided by each college to which you have applied to ensure that you are meeting all deadlines.
Applicants who wish to be considered in the first round of offers to Practical Nursing at Conestoga for September 2013 must have their HOAE test results to the College no later than February 28, 2013.
Applicants who have applied to Practical Nursing for January 2014 must have HOAE test results to Conestoga by mid-October 2013.
Q. What if I require accommodations due to a disability?
A.
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.
Q. I am an international applicant. How do I write HOAE?
A. If you are an international applicant, please see the instructions for booking an off-site testing location (question 12 above). 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.
Q. How do I get to the Doon campus?
A. A map to the Doon campus can be found at: www.conestogac.on.ca/about/ourcampuses/dooncamp.jsp.
Please note: There is no charge for parking at the Doon campus after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends.
Updated on January 31, 2012