Health and Public Safety Entrance Testing Process

This exam must be completed by students applying to: Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Radiological Technology, and Nuclear Medicine Technology and Respiratory Therapy.

_{*Test fees are non-refundable.}

The PSEA is used to evaluate your ability to answer questions delivered in written format and your capacity to understand and follow directions. The assessment may include multiple-choice and short-answer questions on reading comprehension, math, science, career awareness, typing skills, reasoning, and career awareness.

This assessment may be written at any time beginning August 1. One assessment must be completed for each health program and intake you are applying to at SAIT. Only one assessment result will be accepted per program application. 

Once you pay for the assessment, you must write it immediately. We advise that students do not submit the payment until they are ready to write their exam.  

Preparing for the test 

The test typically takes 40-60 minutes to complete and must be completed in one sitting. The exam includes multiple-choice, math calculation, short-answer and/or typing questions in an online exam format. Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate that they have knowledge of the subjects at the level listed as an academic requirement for the program.

Practice exams are not available for the PSEA assessment. Applicants may prepare by reviewing,

• Alberta curriculum material for the admission requirement subjects for their program.
• Career information on your program page and the ALIS website.

Please review the assessment instructions to know what to bring to an assessment as they differ by program. An external calculator is permitted only for the Nuclear Medicine Technology program. All other programs must use the PSEA built-in calculator.

Assessments are labelled by program name and intake term, for example, Medical Laboratory Assistant – Fall 2023.

Applicants who leave the test/room during the assessment may be disqualified. 

During the assessment 

Applicants are expected to follow SAIT’s policies and procedures as it pertains to invigilation and security of examinations (AC.3.3.1 and schedules), distance education invigilation and security of examinations (AC.3.3.2 and schedules) and student academic conduct (AC.3.4.3 and schedules).

During the assessment, applicants must;

• Remain seated in their chair during the assessment;
• Complete the assessment in one sitting;
• Keep their face in the field of view of the camera;
• Only use permitted resources – no electronic devices except when permitted in the instructions;
• Verify their identity through the system;
• Complete the assessment as an individual with no support from additional resources.

Results 

PSEA scores are generated automatically and sent to your program administrator. Once you have completed the entrance testing process and have submitted your program application, review mySAIT to monitor the status of your application.

This exam must be completed by students applying to: Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Radiological Technology, and Respiratory Therapy.

Please refer to the test by program chart above for specific details.

_{*Test fees are non-refundable.}

The CASPer assessment evaluates non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics important for academic and professional success in healthcare. This assessment is comprised of 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will have a set amount of time to answer a set of probing questions. Proficient typing skills may be an asset to applicants.

To complete the CASPer assessment, visit TakeAltus.com to create an account and register to book an appointment to complete the assessment. 

The assessment can only be completed once within the academic year (July 1 through June 30 the following year). One CASPer result will be accepted per application, however, you can use the same assessment results for multiple program applications.

Make sure to pay the distribution fee for each program you are interested in so that your results are forwarded to the appropriate program(s).

Note: you do not need to complete a Snapshot assessment.

Preparing for the test

The CASPer test typically is a 90-110 minute online, open-response situational judgement test. The test is divided into 2 response sections; the video response section, which is the first portion of the test, followed by the typed response section for a total of 14 scenarios. 

It is recommended that applicants complete the assessment as early as possible.

Test preparation resources >

During the assessment 

CASPer assessments are done by appointment. Once you have paid for the assessment, you will need to book an appointment to complete the assessment. All appointments are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Once you have completed the exam, you must distribute the results to ensure they are forwarded to the appropriate program(s). 

Results

CASPer assessment scores are distributed to the program approximately two weeks following the session. Once you have completed the entrance testing process and have submitted your program application, review mySAIT to monitor the status of your application.

SAIT library has only one or two computers available for guests. These computers are in a public area of the library which does not provide applicants with a distraction-free environment. The Calgary Public Library has alternative computer/technology options which an applicant can investigate.

An applicant will need to communicate with the technical resource team available through the testing system to address any issues which arise during the assessment.

As the assessment is invigilated through the software platform, the program will review each applicant’s assessment completion and will determine on a case-by-case basis if an assessment retake is granted. Technical issues, not related to the Profession Specific Exam platform, are the responsibility of the applicant and rewrites will not be granted.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure a stable internet connection in advance of writing their assessment. An applicant will need to communicate with the technical resources persons available through the testing system to address any issues which arise during the assessment. As the assessment is invigilated through the software platform, the program will review each applicant’s assessment completion and will determine on a case-by-case basis if an assessment redo is granted.

For the Profession Specific Entrance Assessment (PSEA), the following notification may pop up. Follow the instructions carefully.