assessment and certification

What is the NAT?

The Nursing Aptitude Test (NAT) is used to measure the academic achievement level of students wishing to enter the nursing (R.N.) program. 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 NAT?

To take the NAT, you must be a Florida Community College student or have a written referral from another institution. You may take the NAT twice every twelve months as long as there are a minimum of 90 days between each assessment. Testing more frequently will cause your scores to be invalidated. There are two test formats for the NAT: paper and pencil format and online format.

Both formats are offered by appointment at all four campuses as well as at the Urban Resource Center. There is a non-refundable, non-transferable testing fee of $30 payable in the Business Office before testing. Call the assessment center of your choice to schedule your appointment.

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

Both the NAT online and paper 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. Dress in layers so you will be comfortable during the test. Please leave all personal items (hats, purses, cell phones, pagers, etc) at home.

What is covered on the NAT assessment?

Each of the five main parts of the online and paper NAT assessments are timed as follows: academic aptitude - 30 minutes; spelling - 15 minutes; reading comprehension - 20 minutes; information in the natural sciences - 30 minutes; vocational adjustment index - 15 minutes.

How do I prepare for the NAT?

To help familiarize you with the content of the NAT, 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 NAT assessment results?

If you are taking the online version, you will receive two copies of your score report immediately upon completing the assessment. Additional score reports are available for $5.

If you are taking the paper version, your scores will be mailed to you about three weeks after your assessment date. Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) scores the NAT and mails a score report and profile chart to Florida Community College. Florida Community College then forwards the score report on to you by mail. Additional score reports are available for $5.