100+ Free PSB HOAE Practice Questions
Pass your PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Read the passage: 'The human body maintains a stable internal temperature near 37 degrees Celsius. When the body becomes too warm, sweat glands release moisture that cools the skin as it evaporates.' According to the passage, what causes the skin to cool?
Key Facts: PSB HOAE Exam
The PSB HOAE is a 305-question, 2-hour-15-minute allied-health admissions test with four academic multiple-choice parts (Academic Aptitude, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Natural Sciences) plus a non-academic Vocational Adjustment Index personality section.
Sample PSB HOAE Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your PSB HOAE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In the PSB HOAE verbal section, choose the word that means the SAME as 'benevolent'.
2Choose the word that means the OPPOSITE of 'abundant'.
3In the PSB HOAE 'odd word out' format, which word does NOT belong with the others?
4Which word does NOT belong with the others?
5Complete the analogy: Doctor is to hospital as teacher is to ____.
6Choose the word that means the SAME as 'lucid'.
7Choose the word that means the OPPOSITE of 'expand'.
8Which word does NOT belong with the others?
9Complete the analogy: Hot is to cold as up is to ____.
10Choose the word that means the SAME as 'diligent'.
About the PSB HOAE Exam
The PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination (HOAE) is an admissions test from the Psychological Services Bureau used by nursing, dental hygiene, pharmacy technician, veterinary technician, radiologic technology and other allied-health programs to predict an applicant's readiness for study. It contains 305 questions across five parts completed in two hours and fifteen minutes, with each part timed separately and no breaks. Four parts are academic multiple-choice: Academic Aptitude (verbal, arithmetic and non-verbal reasoning), Spelling, Reading Comprehension, and Information in the Natural Sciences. The fifth part, the Vocational Adjustment Index, is a 90-item agree/disagree personality and attitude index that produces a behavioral profile rather than an academic score. Raw scores are the number of correct answers and are converted to percentile ranks, so it is always best to answer every question. No calculators or reference guides are permitted.
Questions
305 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours 15 minutes total, timed by section: Academic Aptitude 40 min, Spelling 15 min, Reading Comprehension 35 min, Natural Sciences 25 min, Vocational Adjustment Index 15 min.
Passing Score
No fixed cutoff; raw scores convert to percentile ranks and each program sets its own minimum percentile for admission.
Exam Fee
Approximately $25 to $60, set by the administering school or testing center. (Psychological Services Bureau, Inc. (PSB))
PSB HOAE Exam Content Outline
Academic Aptitude
Verbal vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, odd-word-out), arithmetic (fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, basic algebra), and non-verbal figure analogies and number series; 75 questions in 40 minutes.
Spelling
Select the correctly spelled word from several alternatives across 45 questions in 15 minutes, including common and health-related vocabulary.
Reading Comprehension
Read passages and answer questions on main idea, detail, author intent, fact versus opinion and inference; 35 questions in 35 minutes, based only on the passage.
Information in the Natural Sciences
High-school biology, chemistry, physics, health, earth science, measurement conversions, pH and basic electricity; 60 questions in 25 minutes.
How to Pass the PSB HOAE Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed cutoff; raw scores convert to percentile ranks and each program sets its own minimum percentile for admission.
- Exam length: 305 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours 15 minutes total, timed by section: Academic Aptitude 40 min, Spelling 15 min, Reading Comprehension 35 min, Natural Sciences 25 min, Vocational Adjustment Index 15 min.
- Exam fee: Approximately $25 to $60, set by the administering school or testing center.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PSB HOAE Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PSB HOAE and who takes it?
The PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination is an admissions test from the Psychological Services Bureau taken by applicants to allied-health programs such as nursing, dental hygiene, pharmacy technician, veterinary technician and radiologic technology.
How many questions are on the PSB HOAE and how long is it?
The exam has 305 questions across five parts and lasts two hours and fifteen minutes. Each part is timed separately with no breaks: Academic Aptitude, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Natural Sciences and the Vocational Adjustment Index.
What are the four academic sections of the PSB HOAE?
The academic multiple-choice parts are Academic Aptitude (verbal, arithmetic and non-verbal reasoning, 75 questions), Spelling (45 questions), Reading Comprehension (35 questions) and Information in the Natural Sciences (60 questions).
What is the Vocational Adjustment Index?
The Vocational Adjustment Index is a 90-item agree/disagree personality and attitude section completed in 15 minutes. It produces a behavioral profile of fit for health-care work and is not part of the academic multiple-choice score.
Is there a passing score on the PSB HOAE?
There is no fixed passing score. Raw scores (the number of correct answers) are converted to percentile ranks, and each school decides the minimum percentile it accepts for admission, so it is best to answer every question.
Can I use a calculator on the PSB HOAE?
No. Calculators and reference guides such as dictionaries are not permitted. You may use scratch paper for the arithmetic items, so practicing mental and written math is important.