Why do TABS?

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 almost any course.

Some courses are competitive and use TABS for selection purposes.

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 2008 for Semester 1, 2009 intake, and 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, 591 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

The locations and dates for TABS sessions for semester 1, 2009 entry are listed below.

To book your place, please contact TAFE SA Information as soon as possible for sittings in the metropolitan area. For regional sittings book your place through the relevant campus.

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

You will be required to record your SATAC reference number in the TABS so that your results can be applied to your preferences. You must show photographic identification or two other pieces of identification at the session.

Previous STAT results (from 1980 onwards) and previous TABS scores (from 2006 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.

Locations, dates and times of TABS for semester 1, 2009

The last day to sit TABS in order to be considered for a first round offer is December 16th.