Your test report for the HOBET will provide you with information regarding your performance in the 7 following areas. The first two areas -- Essential Math and Reading Comprehension -- will determine your competitiveness for the program. (Your preparation should focus exclusively on these first two sections.)
1. The essential math skills section (60 questions) reviews your basic arithmetic and algebra considered for success in college and the health care professions. This section covers Basic Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Fractions, Basic Math, Intermediate Math, and Percents and Ratios. This ought to be the easiest of sections for many of you taking the test. For most people who consider health care occupations, precision isn't much of an issue. I, on the other hand, didn't always think of myself as precise. Math wasn't my best subject, and I had to spend a lot of time to relearn all that I had forgotten. (Some of the math I don't even remember having learned in the first place.)
2. The instructional level section (33 questions) evaluates your reading comprehension at the inferential level for science-related material. Reading selections are at the 10th grade level of difficulty for vocabulary and sentence syntax. This is considered the "normal" adult reading level for applicants in college level courses. For those of you thinking that 10th grade level means this section will be easy, think again. The grade level of reading does not necessarily correlate with the grade level of study. Many high school graduates are armed with grade level scores in the middle school range. There are many factors that play a role in this, but we'll save it for another time. Basically you need to know this: the reading section can be demanding. If your everyday reading habits consists of gossip magazines and email, you're going to want to broaden your reading materials as you approach this test. Part of the difficulty of the test is its length. The HOBET tests both reading speed and accuracy of comprehension. Here your score will give your program's admission board a fair read of your reading comprehension and reading rate. It will also determine your critical thinking abilities - your ability to critically think while reading. This includes the ability to make inferences, identify the main idea of a passage, and to predict outcomes of a situation based on your reading skills. Grammar, vocabulary, and syntax questions round out this section.
3. The test-taking skills section (30 questions) of the HOBET measures your ability to utilize test-taking strategies when taking objective, essay and standardized exams. Your results will be indicated by one of three level indicators: independent level; instructional level; and frustration level. Each of these levels indicate a student's test-taking ability. Readings of this section help students rate their ability to achieve results commensurate with their effort. It is one thing to learn the given information; it can be something different altogether to know how to apply this new information come test day. If you are not an exceptional test-taker, this section will inform you of this. Knowledge of such a weakness allows you to address any shortcomings.
4. The stress level section (45 questions) of the HOBET assesses your perceived stress level in the areas of personal coping, family life, social life, money/time commitments, academic stress and stress in the workplace. Scores in this section indicate areas of stress which may cause difficulties or threaten performance. It may be that the student and his/her advisor will choose to discuss these findings and develop problem-solving strategies to help reduce stress. Conditioning a student to work on his or her own stress-release strategies is an effective way to improve both the academic experience and the academic results.
5. The social interaction profile (30 questions) provides insight into your passive/aggressive, social interaction skills. The health care field is one that generally asks that people work together to problem solve. The results inform the student of his or her ability to interact effectively with colleagues. Faculty and advisers use this reading to register the amount of time needed to strengthen the ability of the class to work synergistically.
6. The learning style section (50 questions) of the HOBET assesses your preferred learning style, which again guides both student and faculty in preparing for the academic rigors ahead. This includes your preferred conditions to promote learning. Students learn in a variety of ways. Are you an auditory learner? a visual learner? a social learner? a solitary learner? an oral dependent learner? a writing independent learner? This is the HOBET reading I probably appreciated most. I had expected to learn that I was a social learner, but I actually found out the opposite. It turns out that I am a writing independent learner. This has been useful information for me. I have gone about my preparation for the various (and continuous) tests I take while completing my program. Consider this information carefully. We all carry misconceptions about ourselves. From how attractive we are, to how smart we are... most of us underestimate ourselves. And I certainly carried a life-long misconception about the way I learn best.
7. You'll also receive a Composite Score. This is an average of your Essential Math Skills and Reading Comprehension Scores. You should have a good idea as to how you'd like to do before taking the test. There really is no failing or passing the HOBET. It's more a matter of how you fare in comparison to your contemporaries. Let's be honest, school admissions are really no different than the rest of the job market. If you want a good job you'll need to be able to outperform your average competitor. This reading lets you know how you've done in comparison to those applying for similar programs nationally.
So all things considered, you will learn how you compare to others when it comes to Math and Reading Comprehension. On top of that you will learn about certain tendencies you have, and how they may support or threaten your academic goals. The test is obviously of use to both student and faculty, and should be seen as such.
Now move on to the 'What To Study' section to see exactly how you can gain that competitive edge!
