TAFE SA Assessment of Basic Skills

• What is the TABS?
• Who needs it?
• How do I participate?

TAFE SA has a number of alternative ways of meeting the minimum entry requirements (MER) for all its courses. The TAFE SA Assessment of Basic Skills Test (TABS) is an alternative for you if you have no other way of demonstrating that you meet the MER. You can use satisfactory results from the assessment to meet the MER for most courses.

If you are applying for bachelor degree level courses and do not currently meet the Minimum Entry Requirements (MER) you may do so by successfully completing the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). For information about the STAT see http://www.satac.edu.au/tafewebs1/sect02/stat.asp.

What is TABS?

The TABS  is a series of short answer and multiple choice items that you can undertake to meet the MER for most TAFE SA courses. The TABS assesses two basic skills - literacy and numeracy/maths, which normally develop during the first 10 years of primary and secondary schooling. 60 minutes is allowed for the assessment - 30 minutes for each section.

Each section is explained in further detail below.

Remember when answering multiple choice questions your first thoughts are generally better than your second thoughts.

Finding out Results

During the formal offer cycles, that is for the main intakes in semester 1 and 2, TABS results will be published on TAFEWeb in Applicant Services at www.satac.edu.au/tafewebs1 from mid November 2009 for Semester 1, 2010 intake, and from 22nd June 2010 for Semester 2, 2010 intake, updated weekly. To access this service you will need your 9 digit SATAC reference number and your pin number (set at day and month of birth). Only applicants who do not meet the standard for entry to their preferred course will receive notification by letter with a referral to TAFEstart.

TAFEstart Metropolitan brochure (PDF, 356 KB)
TAFEstart Regional brochure (PDF, 935 Kb)

TAFEstart courses can help prepare you for further study and work and improve numeracy and literacy skills. If you receive a letter you can start TAFEstart at any time. Please be aware that TABS can only be undertaken once every 6 months. Alternatively you may wish to change your preferences to include course that do not have any entry requirements.  (See Courses with no entry requirements, above)

How to participate

Bookings for TABS are made through TAFEWeb. You can book a TABS sitting while completing your on-line application.  If you are an interstate or remote area applicant or require special assistance please contact freecall 1800 882 661 to organise a TABS sitting.

Important! You must lodge your application with SATAC before you can apply to sit the TABS.

If you already have a current TAFEWeb application and wish to book a TABS sitting go to Services for current applicants. If you have previously sat the TABS be sure to indicate this in your online application in TAFEWeb.

You will receive booking confirmation by post.

You must show photographic ID or two other pieces of ID at the session. You will be required to record your SATAC  TAFE reference number on the assessment paper.

Important Information

Previous STAT results (from 1980 onwards) and previous TABS scores (from 2007 onwards) can be used in the assessment of your current application. If you wish to use such results and have not already indicated this in your application, please contact SATAC in writing, quoting your current application reference number and stating the year in which you sat the TABS or STAT.

The last day to sit TABS in order to be considered for a first round offer is December 24th 2009.

Locations for semester 1, 2010

Sittings for the TABS will be conducted at the following venues:

Bookings are made through TAFEWeb.