Borax bead test technique
"Hot" refers to the bead when just taken out of the flame of the Bunsen burner, while "cold" refers to the state when the bead cooled to room temperature. Provided the small size these beeds typically have (a toothpick like rod of magnesium oxide to carry them), this is just a matter of about a minute of exposure to ambient air. Duing this process, you may spot differences, too.  Conversely, intentionally cooling the hot glass-like beads under tap water often shatters them into pieces.

Side note #1:  Testing with a bead of Borax is a one quick pretest, to be confirmed by subsequent experiments.  And as a good habit: once you found the ions, compare your bead made with the analyte with a reference, a bead made with a sample of known composition.

Side note #2: Of course I miss one, an entry for cobalt ... regardless of the flame (oxidation or reduction), hot or cold: an intense dark blue. Almost Yale blue.