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If you are currently applying to a nursing school or to study a nursing-related degree at university, you will no doubt be aware of the entrance requirements you’ll need to pass in order to secure your place. Along with a stellar transcript, you’ll also need to do well on the entrance exam, the PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination (HOAE).
So, what exactly is the PSB HOAE Test?
Know by several different names, the PSB HOAE test is a standardized pre-admissions aptitude test designed to measure candidates on their suitability for the nursing program in question. If the name of the test doesn’t sound familiar, you may know it by a different name such as the PSB Test or Exam, HOAE PSB Test, HOAE Test or Exam, or the Health Occupational Aptitude Exam.
What to Expect from the PSB HOAE Test
Like most standardized pre-admission tests, the PSB exam is a multiple-choice exam. Candidates will 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete 305 questions, split into 5 separate sections. Each of these sections is designed to test individuals on skills, abilities, and knowledge that will determine how suitable they are for the program.
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PSB HOAE Sections
As we have already briefly mentioned, the exam is split into five different sections. These consist of academic aptitude, spelling, reading comprehension, information in the natural sciences, and vocational adjustment index. Each section contains a different number of questions, and will, therefore, have a different time limit allocated. In order to get the best score, you will need to remember these so that you are able to manage your time effectively, both during practice exams, and the actual test itself.
The breakdown of the section time limits and questions are as follows:
- Academic Aptitude – 75 questions with a 40-minute time limit
- Spelling – 45 questions with a 15-minute time limit
- Reading Comprehension – 35 questions with a 35-minute time limit
- Information in the Natural Sciences – 60 questions with a 35-minute time limit
- Vocational Adjustment Index – 90 questions with a 15-minute time limit
Each of these sections has been designed to test different skills and aptitudes, all of which inform the final decision made by universities and schools on which applicants they choose to admit.
Preparing for the PSB HOAE Exam
As with any exam, the better prepared you are, the higher the chances of you scoring well on the PSB HOAE. To this end, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to revise ahead of the exam itself and have a go at a couple of practice papers to familiarize yourself with the layout and time limits.
Using practice tests will also help you formulate a clear strategy for when you are sitting the actual test, as you will already be familiar with the style of the questions and know which sections play to your strengths and weaknesses.
When it gets to the day of the exam itself, don’t let the time limit rush you as this could lead you to make simple errors that could have otherwise have been avoided. Start by carefully reading the instructions and make sure that you properly read all of the questions, rather than simply skimming over these as in many cases the information you need for the answer will be contained within the question itself.
Above all, remember not to spend too much time on questions you are struggling with. It is better to attempt all of the problems and revisit difficult questions if you have time left, rather than running out of time before you have made it through all of the sections.
