Health Occupation Aptitude Examination (HOAE) – is a required standardized pre-admission test for all applicants in the following programs:

• PPNSG - Practical Nursing
• PPHTN - Pharmacy Technician
• PVETT - Veterinary Technician 

This computerized exam consists of five sections designed to assess an applicant's skill and knowledge in areas deemed relevant to college-level health services programs. The five sections are: Academic Aptitude, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Vocational Adjustment, and Natural Sciences (chemistry, biology, and physics). Each section is timed separately for a total testing time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Applicants are permitted to take the HOAE once per calendar year.

In addition to completing and passing the HOAE, applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the program to which they have applied. Please click here for a list of programs and their admission requirements.

For sample questions, please visit www.psbtests.com > Test Resources > Sample Questions > choose “HOAE sample questions”. In addition, various resources can be used to prepare for the exam such as a dictionary, an 8^th grade arithmetic textbook, high school science textbooks, a GED study guide, a SAT study guide, and the ARCO Nursing School and Allied Health Entrance Exams study guide. There are also numerous preparation manuals available for sale online titled “Health Occupations Aptitude Examination”.

Scheduling an Appointment

To book your HOAE, please access our online reservation system.

• Log into myStudent Centre using your Sheridan username and password.
• Go to the Admissions section and click "Event Registration".
• Click on the "Register" button beside HOAE.
• Choose a date.
• Review the information for the selected session carefully. Click the Confirm button to finalize your choice, or click the Return button to make another selection.
• A confirmation email will be sent to your Sheridan email account.
• If you have difficulty booking your assessment, please call our Contact Centre at 905-459-7533 and choose option #4.

Test fee payment

A non-refundable testing fee of $50 must be paid on the day of your exam with debit only. Sheridan College does not accept cash or credit cards.

Exam Locations

The HOAE takes place at the Hazel McCallion Campus in Mississauga and on select Saturdays at the Davis Campus in Brampton.

What to Bring

• Photo ID
• Your OCAS application number. You can obtain this number by logging in to www.ontariocolleges.ca. Write it down and bring it with you to the exam. International applicants will not have an OCAS application number. Instead, please bring your 9-digit Sheridan identification number. 
• Pen, pencil, eraser. 
• You may bring a capped-drink with you into the exam room.
• We will provide you with scrap paper.

The following items are not permitted: calculator, dictionary, food.

Students with a disability

If you require accommodations to complete the HOAE, please contact Accessible Learning Services as soon as possible to make arrangements.

• Trafalgar and Skills Training Centre (STC) Campuses, Oakville: 905-845-9430, ext. 2530
• Davis Campus, Brampton: 905-459-7533, ext. 5160
• Hazel McCallion Campus, Mississauga: 905-845-9430, ext. 5737

Please click here for more information about registering with Accessible Learning Services.

International Applicants

International applicants who experience difficulties using the online reservation system are asked to contact:

Howard Slaney
International Admissions Coordinator

Tel: 905-815-4001
Fax: 905-815-4004
Email: howard.slaney@sheridancollege.ca

Offsite Testing

Applicants who live within a three hour drive of any Sheridan campus are expected to test at the college. If you live more than three hours away, your situation will be assessed on an individual basis and you may be permitted to take the HOAE at a qualified location in your area. For more information, please contact the Sheridan College Assessment Centre in Mississauga at 905-845-9430, ext. 2476.

Obtaining Your Results

The pass mark varies by program. The results of the HOAE will not be released to applicants until final selection has been made by the Admissions department. Students are subject to a relative ranking based on the averages of all applicants who have taken the HOAE; this, in tandem with previous academic grades, will determine each admission decision. Sheridan will mail the results of the HOAE to applicants once the program has been filled, usually by the first month of the first term. For example, a student who applied for the September intake will receive their results in September.

Transferring Your Results

At the end of each HOAE session, your results are submitted to the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). OCAS then sends your results to all the institutions you have applied to that require this examination.

If you have taken the HOAE before January 1, 2012 and have applied to a college other than Sheridan, please make a request to have your results sent to OCAS by calling the Sheridan College Assessment Centre in Mississauga at 905-845-9430, ext. 2476.