Student Outcome Assessments for High Schools (H.E.A.T.)

Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology (H.E.A.T.)

Student Outcome Assessment Program

Purpose of the H.E.A.T. Student Outcome Assessment
The H.E.A.T. Student Outcome Assessments assist secondary (high school) HVACR instructors in evaluating student knowledge retention, ensuring readiness for advancement or additional training. Developed by HVAC Excellence, these assessments align with national industry standards to validate essential HVACR competencies.

Why Use the H.E.A.T. Assessments?

  • Measure Student Readiness – Validates if a student has the retained knowledge necessary to move on, or if additional training is required.
  • Third-Party – This nationally recognized examination provides consistent data regardless of instructor or institution.
  • Improve Instruction – Provides reports that help validate the efficacy of the instruction.
  • Align with Industry Standards – Ensure students meet recognized HVACR competencies.
  • Prepare for Future Certifications – Establish a strong foundation for technician-level exams.

Prerequisite

None

H.E.A.T. Assessment Options

H.E.A.T. 100-Question Written Assessment Exam
  • Designed for end-of-program evaluation.
  • Available for different geographical needs with a Gas Heat Emphasis or Oil Heat Emphasis.
  • Covers key HVACR principles:
    • Electrical theory & safety
    • Electrical components, motors, capacitors, troubleshooting
    • Interpreting electrical diagrams, electrical meter usage
    • Air conditioning & refrigeration theory, systems, components, service, troubleshooting
    • Refrigerant flow control theory and application
    • Heating systems, components, combustion theory, heating fuels, safety, installation, troubleshooting
H.E.A.T. PLUS (Written + Hands-On Assessment)

For a more comprehensive evaluation, the H.E.A.T. Plus exam requires the student to go beyond the written exam. H.E.A.T. Plus includes:

  • 100-Question Written Assessment Exam
  • 25-question core exam covering computer literacy, safety, math, employability, and work ethics
  • Hands-on performance assessment to evaluate real-world skills
  • Certificate Issued: Students scoring 70% or higher receive a Certificate of Achievement.
  • Reports for Instructors: Proctors can access detailed statistical reports to track student performance and satisfy Perkins compliance.

Additional Credentials Available

For students needing additional credentials beyond introductory coursework but not yet ready for certification exams, HVAC Excellence offers discipline-specific examinations:

HVAC Excellence specialty exam options with question counts and topics covered
Specialty Exam Questions Covers
Air Conditioning 50 Safety, refrigeration theory, systems & components, refrigerant flow control, troubleshooting
Electrical 50 Electrical theory, components, motors, capacitors, meter usage, safety, diagrams, troubleshooting
Gas Heat 50 Combustion theory, gas properties, heating components, troubleshooting, safety, installation, service
Oil Heat 50 Combustion theory, heating fuels, safety, thermostats, burner nozzles, venting, installation, service
Math 50 HVACR industry math skills, from basic arithmetic to complex formulas and data analysis
Tools & Materials 100 Safety, torches, hand tools, tubing/pipe, fasteners, electrical test tools, vacuum pumps, and gauges
Advanced Placement Exams

If you are looking for opportunities to validate your students' readiness for employment in various disciplines at the post-secondary (college) level, consider the Employment Ready Certifications. These exams are widely used by post-secondary institutions and may offer advanced placement opportunities for your graduates through articulation agreements with participating schools.

Certificate Issued

Students who pass the Student Outcome Assessments with a 70% or higher score receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Comparative Analysis Reports

To help educators and trainers identify strengths and weaknesses in their instruction, HVAC Excellence proctors can access a variety of reports.

Becoming a Proctor

HVACR wholesalers, educators, and trainers interested in proctoring exams can apply here.

Additional Information