Assessment and Certification

What is the HOT?

The Health Occupational Test (HOT) is used to measure the academic achievement level of students wishing to enter programs such as: dental hygiene, medical lab technology, histologic technology, respiratory care, radiology, and physical therapy assistant. The five main parts given at Florida Community College are: academic aptitude (verbal, arithmetic, and non-verbal subtests), spelling, reading comprehension, information in the natural sciences and vocational adjustment index.

How do I sign up for the HOT?

To take the HOT, you must be a Florida Community College student or have a written referral from another institution. You may take the HOT twice every 12 months as long as there are a minimum of 90 days between each assessment. Testing more frequently will result in your scores being invalidated.

There are two test formats for the HOT: paper and pencil format and online format. The computer format is available by appointment at all four campuses as well as the Urban Resource Center. The paper version is available only at Downtown Campus. There is a non-refundable, non-transferable testing fee of $35 payable in the Business Office before testing. Upon completion of the online test, scores are provided immediately. Call the assessment center of your choice to schedule your testing appointment.

What do I need to know for the day of the test?

Both the online and paper HOT assessments take approximately three hours to complete. In order to take the test, you must bring a current driver's license or State of Florida identification. It is suggested that you dress in layers for your comfort. Please leave all personal items (hats, purses, cell phones, pagers, etc) at home.

What is covered on the HOT assessment?

Each of the five main parts of the online and paper HOT are timed as follows: academic aptitude - 45 minutes; reading comprehension - 35 minutes; information in the natural sciences - 30 minutes; spelling - 15 minutes; vocational adjustment index - 15 minutes.

How do I prepare for the HOT?

To help familiarize you with the content of the HOT, sample test questions are available online or at your campus assessment and certification center. Another study resource, recommended by Psychological Services Bureau, is the "ARCO-Nursing School and Allied Health Entrance Exams" study guide available at all campus bookstores.

When will I get my HOT assessment results?

If you take the online version of the HOT, you will receive two copies of your score report immediately upon completion of the assessment.

If you take the paper version of the HOT, your scores will be mailed to you about three weeks after your assessment date. Psychological Services Bureau scores the HOT and then mails a score report and profile chart to Florida Community College. Florida Community College will forward the score report on to you by mail.