TAFE SA has a number of ways for students to meet the minimum entry requirements (MER) for many courses. The TAFE SA Assessment of Basic Skills Test (TABS) is an alternative for applicants with no other way of demonstrating that they meet the MER. Satisfactory results from the TABS meet the MER for most courses.
The TABS is a series of multiple-choice items that assess two basic skills: literacy and numeracy/maths, which normally develop during the first 10 years of primary and secondary schooling. An hour is allowed for the assessment: 30 minutes for each section.
Each section is explained in further detail below.
Section 1: Literacy
This section asks you to recognise the correct spelling, meanings and grammatical use of commonly used words. You will also be asked to read a short passage and to demonstrate your understanding of it by answering the accompanying questions.
The 40 questions in this section are multiple choice. The correct answer must be selected from four options in each case, as demonstrated in the practice examples.
Literacy practice questions
Courses that require Numeracy Part B
- Certificate IV in Building and
Construction (Building) - Certificate IV in Building and
Construction (Estimating) - Certificate IV in Building and
Construction (Site Management) - Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
- Diploma of Building Design and Technology
- Diploma of Engineering - Advanced Trade
- Diploma of Engineering - Technical
- Diploma Program of Engineering Drafting (Specialising in Civil, Structural or Industrial)
- Advanced Diploma of Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Advanced Diploma of Engineering
- Advanced Diploma of Refrigeration and Airconditioning - Technology
- Advanced Diploma Program of Engineering Design (Specialising in Civil, Structural, Industrial or Management)
Section 2: Numeracy
This section has two parts: A and B. Most courses only require completion of part A
Part A includes 25 basic numeracy questions which arise in normal day-to-day life. The questions involve basic operations on whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages and simple graphical interpretations.
Applicants are encouraged to attempt part B (questions 26-40) for entry into all courses. Scores for part A will not be affected by answers to part B, but applicants may benefit overall with correct part B answers.
Part B has 15 questions involving algebra, indices and geometry.
All questions in the numeracy section are multiple choice. The correct answer must be selected from four options in each case, as shown in the practice questions.
Numeracy A practice questions
Numeracy B practice questions
How to participate
Bookings for TABS are made through TAFEWeb while completing an online application. Interstate or remote-area applicants or anyone who requires special assistance can contact freecall 1800 882 661 to organise a TABS sitting.
Important! An application must be lodged with SATAC before applying to sit the TABS.
Applicants with a current TAFEWeb application (made through the SATAC website) who wish to book a TABS sitting can go to Services for current applicants within TAFEWeb. If you have previously sat the TABS be sure to indicate this in your online application in TAFEWeb.
For results to be considered as part of an application, a TABS sitting must be held before a certain date. Check the Important dates page for details.
Applicants will receive booking confirmation by post.
Applicants must show photographic ID or two other pieces of ID at the session. Each applicant's SATAC TAFE reference number must be recorded 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 current applications. Applicants who wish to use such results and have not already indicated this in their application should contact SATAC in writing, quoting their current application reference number and stating the year in which they sat the TABS or STAT.
Finding out results
TABS results will be published on TAFEWeb on the SATAC website in Services for current applicants. You should begin to check for your TABS results three weeks after your sitting date.