PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Why did Officer Green decide to handcuff Mr. Parker?

Officer Green suspected Mr. Parker was armed. (Correct answer)
Mr. Parker refused to answer Officer Green's questions.
Officer Green found a large sum of money in Mr. Parker's back pocket.

Correct answer: Officer Green suspected Mr. Parker was armed.

Explanation: Officer Green decided to handcuff Mr. Parker because he suspected Mr. Parker was armed. This suspicion arose when Mr. Parker started reaching for something inside his jacket after refusing to show his ID and questioning Officer Green's authority. To ensure the safety of both himself and others, Officer Green took precautionary measures by handcuffing Mr. Parker, a common procedure when law enforcement officers suspect individuals may be armed and pose a potential threat.

Question 2: How many essential amino acids must be obtained from the diet?

12
20
5
9 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 9

There are 9 essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize and must be obtained through dietary sources.

Question 3: What is a controlled variable in an experiment related to Health Occupations Aptitude Exam?

The outcome that is measured
The variable that is intentionally changed
A variable that changes randomly
A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment

Controlled variables (constants) are factors that are deliberately kept the same throughout an experiment to ensure that any observed changes are due to the independent variable being tested.

Question 4: What is the primary objective of perceptual speed in Health Occupations Aptitude Exam?

To limit access to the profession
To generate revenue for testing organizations
To ensure competence and proficiency in core perceptual speed concepts (Correct answer)
To replace practical experience entirely

Correct answer: To ensure competence and proficiency in core perceptual speed concepts

The primary objective of perceptual speed knowledge is to ensure practitioners have the competence and proficiency needed to perform effectively and safely in their professional roles.

Question 5: How much money did Officer Green find in Mr.Parker's pocket?

20,000 (Correct answer)
100
5,000
50

Correct answer: 20,000

Explanation: Officer Green found in Mr.Parker's back pocket a large number of dollar bills, which amounted to twenty thousand USD.

Question 6: Which food group is the best dietary source of complete proteins?

Fruits and vegetables
Grains and cereals
Animal products (Correct answer)
Legumes and nuts

Correct answer: Animal products

Animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy contain all 9 essential amino acids, making them complete protein sources.

Question 7: In Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, what does pH measure?

The temperature of a liquid
The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14 (Correct answer)
The pressure within a container
The viscosity of a solution

Correct answer: The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14

pH measures the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, indicating its acidity (pH < 7), neutrality (pH = 7), or alkalinity (pH > 7) on a scale from 0 to 14.

Question 8: What is the correct order of priority in Health Occupations Aptitude Exam patient care?

Documentation, Assessment, Treatment
Treatment, Documentation, Assessment
Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC) (Correct answer)
Circulation, Airway, Breathing

Correct answer: Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC)

The ABC priority (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) ensures life-threatening conditions are addressed in the correct order: securing the airway first, ensuring adequate breathing, then assessing circulation.

Question 9: In Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, why is perceptual speed knowledge important for professional certification?

It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards (Correct answer)
It is important only for entry-level positions
It has no practical relevance to daily work
It is only required for administrative purposes

Correct answer: It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards

Professional certification in specific knowledge areas demonstrates that practitioners have met established competency standards, ensuring quality of service and public protection.

Question 10: In Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, what is the primary purpose of patient assessment in medical terminology?

To complete administrative paperwork requirements
To determine the patient's insurance coverage
To schedule follow-up appointments
To gather comprehensive information about the patient's condition to guide care decisions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To gather comprehensive information about the patient's condition to guide care decisions

Patient assessment systematically gathers information about the patient's physical, psychological, and social condition, forming the foundation for clinical decision-making and care planning.

Question 11: A Health Occupations Aptitude Exam survey collected responses from 600 participants. If 72% responded positively, how many responded positively?

420
450
408
432 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 432

72% of 600 = 0.72 × 600 = 432 positive responses.

Question 12: Which approach is most effective for mastering problem solving in Health Occupations Aptitude Exam?

Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review (Correct answer)
Studying only immediately before examinations
Relying solely on on-the-job experience
Memorizing textbook definitions without understanding

Correct answer: Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review

The most effective approach combines theoretical understanding with practical application, reinforced by regular review and assessment, enabling deeper comprehension and long-term retention.

Question 13: What is the primary function of the mitochondria in cells relevant to Health Occupations Aptitude Exam?

To remove waste products
To store genetic information
To synthesize proteins
To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration

Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, converting nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration, providing the energy needed for cellular functions.

Question 14: What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?

Building muscle tissue
Transporting oxygen
Regulating hormones
Providing energy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Providing energy

Carbohydrates are the body's preferred and primary source of energy, especially for the brain and working muscles.

Question 15: In Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, what does "evidence-based practice" mean?

Applying the same treatment to all patients regardless of condition
Relying solely on personal clinical experience
Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences (Correct answer)
Following only the most recent research studies

Correct answer: Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences

Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences to guide clinical decisions and optimize outcomes.

Question 16: The ozone layer serves to screen dangerous rays from:

the sun (Correct answer)
spray cans
the gases
oxygen atoms

Correct answer: the sun

Explanation: The ozone layer serves to screen dangerous rays from the sun. It absorbs and filters out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface in excessive amounts. This helps protect living organisms, including plants and animals, from the harmful effects of UV radiation such as skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to marine ecosystems.

Question 17: In Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, if a process has a completion rate of 85% and 340 items were started, how many were completed?

295
272
289 (Correct answer)
255

Correct answer: 289

85% of 340 = 0.85 × 340 = 289 items completed.

Question 18: What is the primary objective of academic aptitude in Health Occupations Aptitude Exam?

To generate revenue for testing organizations
To ensure competence and proficiency in core academic aptitude concepts (Correct answer)
To replace practical experience entirely
To limit access to the profession

Correct answer: To ensure competence and proficiency in core academic aptitude concepts

The primary objective of academic aptitude knowledge is to ensure practitioners have the competence and proficiency needed to perform effectively and safely in their professional roles.

Question 19: Select the word from each line that is spelled correctly:

caffine
caffeine (Correct answer)
caffene

Correct answer: caffeine

Explanation: “Caffeine" is the correctly spelled word. It is a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and other beverages, and it is also used in some medications. The correct spelling includes two "e" letters in the middle.

Question 20: Select the word from each line that is spelled correctly:

eronenuis
erroneous (Correct answer)
eroninuis

Correct answer: erroneous

Explanation: "Erroneous" is the correctly spelled word. It means containing or based on error; mistaken. The correct spelling includes two "r" letters and ends with "-eous."

Question 21: Which mineral is essential for the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

Potassium
Zinc
Calcium
Iron (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Iron

Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Question 22: The lower jaw in vertebrates is known as the:

hyoid
ulna
coccyx
mandible (Correct answer)
pelvis

Correct answer: mandible

Explanation: The lower jaw in vertebrates is called the mandible. It is the bone that forms the lower part of the skull and holds the lower teeth in place.

Question 23: The type of radiation (sunlight) that tans or burns human skin is called:

infra-red
microwave
ultraviolet (Correct answer)
X-ray
isotopes

Correct answer: ultraviolet

Explanation: The type of radiation (sunlight) that tans or burns human skin is called ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation from the sun can cause both tanning and burning of the skin, depending on factors such as exposure time and skin sensitivity. UV radiation is responsible for suntans as well as sunburns and can potentially lead to long-term skin damage and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Question 24: What is the purpose of documenting patient care in Health Occupations Aptitude Exam?

To satisfy curiosity about patient conditions
To monitor employee productivity
To justify billing charges only
To create a legal record, ensure continuity of care, and support communication among providers (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To create a legal record, ensure continuity of care, and support communication among providers

Documentation creates a legal record of care provided, supports communication among healthcare team members, ensures continuity of care, and provides data for quality improvement and research.

Question 25: A Health Occupations Aptitude Exam report shows values of 42, 38, 45, 51, and 34. What is the mean (average)?

45
38
40
42 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 42

Sum = 42 + 38 + 45 + 51 + 34 = 210. Mean = 210 ÷ 5 = 42.

Question 26: Which text structure organizes information by describing a problem and then presenting solutions?

Compare and contrast
Chronological order
Description structure
Problem-solution structure (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Problem-solution structure

Problem-solution text structure presents an issue or challenge followed by one or more proposed solutions, commonly used in persuasive and informational writing.

Question 27: In Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, what is the difference between literal and inferential comprehension?

Literal comprehension involves stated facts; inferential requires drawing conclusions from clues (Correct answer)
Literal is more difficult than inferential
Inferential comprehension only applies to fiction
There is no meaningful difference between them

Correct answer: Literal comprehension involves stated facts; inferential requires drawing conclusions from clues

Literal comprehension involves understanding explicitly stated information, while inferential comprehension requires readers to draw conclusions, make connections, and interpret meaning beyond what is directly stated.

Question 28: In Health Occupations Aptitude Exam, what role does continuing education play in problem solving?

To increase testing frequency for compliance purposes
To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices (Correct answer)
To replace initial certification requirements
To prevent professionals from advancing in their careers

Correct answer: To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices

Continuing education ensures professionals stay current with new developments, evolving standards, and emerging best practices in their field, maintaining competence throughout their careers.

Question 29: Select the word from each line that is spelled correctly:

deodorizing (Correct answer)
deoderizing
deoderizing

Correct answer: deodorizing

Explanation: <br”> "Deodorizing" is the correctly spelled word. It refers to the process of eliminating or masking unpleasant odors. The correct spelling includes the letter "a" after the "e."

Question 30: What is the primary objective of information ordering in Health Occupations Aptitude Exam?

To replace practical experience entirely
To limit access to the profession
To generate revenue for testing organizations
To ensure competence and proficiency in core information ordering concepts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To ensure competence and proficiency in core information ordering concepts

The primary objective of information ordering knowledge is to ensure practitioners have the competence and proficiency needed to perform effectively and safely in their professional roles.

PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE)

The HOAE is an aptitude test administered by Psychological Services Bureau used by health occupations programs to assess candidates' academic readiness and suitability for healthcare careers, covering academic aptitude, spelling, reading comprehension, and natural sciences.

305

Questions

135 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

sctech.edu — Eligibility, renewal · verified Nov 2026
ogeecheetech.edu — Passing score, retake fee, retake policy, score validity · verified Nov 2026
stclaircollege.ca — Test delivery, fees · verified Nov 2026