Health and Public Safety Entrance Testing Process
Thank you for your interest in the School of Health and Public Safety’s allied health programming.
Please carefully review the entrance testing process (ETP) information below in advance of applying to one of the following programs.
Important
Admission process
An admission requirement for select Health and Public Safety programs is the completion of the entrance testing process (HPS-ETP). We recommend applicants complete all steps of the application process as early as possible as it will strengthen the chance of being admitted to the program.
Applicants will be granted one attempt at the HPS-ETP per intake to a program. Applicants are responsible for completing all required components of the process for each program to which they apply.
Applications will be reviewed once the following requirements have been completed:
- all required entrance testing components for the program - see table below for program-specific requirements,
- application for admission to the program through ApplyAlberta and,
- academic transcripts and/or sufficient evidence have been submitted.
Note: Anticipated final scores for entrance tests will not be accepted.
All seats will be offered on a first qualified, first offered basis until the program is full. Once the program is filled, qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist for the current intake cycle. Applicants who are not admitted for the current intake cycle may re-apply for the next program intake and will be required to repeat the application process and HPS-ETP.
Please note, you must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
*Test fees for the Program Specific Entrance Assessment and CASPer are non-refundable.
Important
Technical issues, not related to the Profession Specific Exam platform, are the responsibility of the applicant and rewrites will not be granted.
Program | CASPer* Appointment must be booked to write $40 CAD + $16 per score distribution |
CASPer Deadline | Profession Specific Exam** May be written at any time $25 USD per assessment |
PSEA Deadline | Application closes |
Diagnostic Medical Sonography | x | Dec. 8, 2022 | x |
Dec. 8, 2022, 4:30pm MST |
Dec. 1, 2022 |
Medical Laboratory Assistant
(Winter 2023) |
x | Winter 2023: Nov. 24, 2022 | x | Winter 2023: Nov. 24, 2022, 4:30pm MST | Winter 2023: Nov. 24, 2022 |
Medical Laboratory Assistant
(Spring 2023, Fall 2023) |
x | Fall 2023: Feb. 16, 2023, 4:30pm MST
Spring 2023: April 6, 2023, 4:30pm MST |
Fall 2023: Jan 31, 2023 Spring 2023: April 1, 2023 |
||
x | Feb. 16, 2023, 4:30pm MST | Jan. 31, 2023 | |||
x | Feb. 21, 2023 | x | Feb. 21, 2023, 4:30pm MST | Jan. 31, 2023 | |
x | April 6, 2023 | x | April 6, 2023, 4:30pm MST | March 1, 2023 | |
x | April 6, 2023 | x | April 6, 2023, 4:30pm MST | March 1, 2023 (AB applicants) May 1, 2023 (SK applicants) |
* Applicants may write one CASPer exam between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Snapshot is not required for any HPS programs. Results from that one test must be distributed to each program you apply to. Steps on distribution can be found here.
**Applicants must write the Profession Specific Entrance Assessment (PSEA) for each program and intake that they are interested in applying to.
Dates and deadlines are subject to change
Can't find your program?
The Entrance Testing Process is required for select Health and Public Safety programs. Learn more about admission requirements to our programs.
View all Health and Public Safety ProgramsEntrance testing process
Before you begin:
Please ensure that you know which parts of the Entrance Testing Process your chosen program requires.
CASPer – situational judgement assessment
To complete the CASPer assessment, visit TakeAltus.com to create an account and register to book an appointment to complete the assessment. Note that the times for the CASPer assessment appointments are in Eastern Standard Time (EST) and you do not need to complete a Snapshot assessment.
The test typically is a 100-120 minute online, open-response situational judgement test.
It is recommended that applicants complete the assessment as early as possible.
Further information on registering for the Casper assessment and technical requirements can be found here.
Note: Times for the CASPer assessment are in Eastern Standard Time.
Component | Fee | Description |
CASPer Assessment | $40.00 CAD + $16 per program* | Applicants pay once to write the assessment. Additional fee to send the assessment score to each program application. |
*Test fees are non-refundable.
The assessment can only be completed once within the academic year (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023), but 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).
Only one CASPer result will be accepted per application.
The CASPer assessment is used to evaluate 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.
Marks are sent to the program approximately two weeks after the test session.
Profession Specific Entrance Assessment
This assessment may be written at any time beginning July 4th. Note that once you pay for the assessment, you must write it immediately. The test typically takes between 45-60 minutes to complete and must be completed in one sitting. Applicants who leave the test/room during the assessment may be disqualified.
Assessments are labelled by program name and intake term (i.e.: Medical Laboratory Assistant – Fall 2023). 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.
Marks are generated automatically and sent to the HPS program.
Component | Fee | Description |
Profession Specific Entrance Assessment | $25.00 USD* | Applicants pay separately for each program entrance assessment. If applying to multiple programs the cost is $25.00 USD per program entrance assessment. |
*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.
Applicants may prepare by reviewing course material from the academic admission requirement subjects for their program. Career information can be found on the relevant program page, the ALIS website and other external resources.
Marks are generated automatically and sent to your desired HPS program.
Applicants must submit a program application to each program they are interested in at SAIT and are responsible for submitting all required documents to complete their academic admission requirements.
See the “Admission Requirements” tab on the program pages for application deadlines and academic admission requirements.
ETP scores will only be analyzed by the program once an application has been received.
The program will use ETP assessments to determine the overall ETP score. An overall ETP score greater than 50% is required to meet the non-academic admission requirement.
Once all ETP component scores, a complete application, and all application documents have been received, an application decision will be made. The status of the application and final decision can be tracked by the applicant through the mySAIT.
Technical Requirements
The entrance testing process is completed remotely and requires;
- a personal computer with a high-speed internet connection
- webcam
- speakers
- a microphone
- administrator access to the personal computer to download and install test software features
- extended time for the screen saver and sleep function settings on your personal computer so they will not trigger during the exam
- a credit card or PayPal account for online payment of fees for each component
Accessibility and accommodation services
It is strongly encouraged that applicants who may require accommodations for the ETP assessments reach out to SAIT Accessibility Services as early as possible to arrange accommodation as outlined below.
- Step 1: Contact Accessibility Services to gain an accommodations memo that outlines the accommodation requirements. You will need to provide your name, SAIT ID (if available), and the name of each program you are applying to at SAIT.
- Step 2: Set up accommodations for each ETP component as follows:
- Profession Specific Entrance Assessment: Accessibility Services will provide the accommodation memo directly to our HPS Learner Experience team. A member of our HPS Learner Experience team will contact you to schedule the assessment.
- CASPer - situational judgement test: Reach out to the Altus Assessments Inc support team and provide the accommodation memo received from Accessibility Services. They will support the completion of CASPer in alignment with your support requirements. More details about the accommodation process for CASPer are available here.
Frequently asked questions
We strongly encourage applicants to complete the ETP components as early as possible. The order of completion does not matter, though applicants should be aware that CASPer assessments may only be written on specific dates. Applicants are encouraged to complete all components of the ETP process (application, CASPer and/or PSEA) as early as they are able.
The programs which use the ETP offer seats on a first qualified, first offered basis and applications will not be considered unless all components of the ETP are satisfied .
An applicant’s ETP score is calculated once the application and ETP (CASPer and/or the PSEA) scores have been received.
Yes. You may complete the application before the CASPer and/or PSEA.
The programs which use the ETP offer seats on a first qualified, first offered basis and applications will not be considered unless all components of the ETP are satisfied and an application submitted.
Note: The CASPer assessment may only be taken once between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
Yes. The Profession-Specific Entrance Assessment is unique to each program and intake. If an applicant applies to multiple programs, or a program with multiple intakes, they will need to write a separate PSEA for each program.
For example, if you are applying to the Medical Laboratory assistant program for Winter 2023 and Fall 2023, you will need to complete a PSEA for each of those applications.
Only one PSEA result will be considered per application.
No. Applicants are not able to retake any component (CASPer and/or PSEA) of the entrance testing process. Applicants are required to re-apply to the program for the next intake.
Applicants do not need to submit their entrance testing process score. The SAIT program will generate the score and enter SAIT systems.
Scores from the ETP assessments are forwarded to your program(s) of choice, provided you have done the following:
- CASPer: paid the distribution fee for all program(s) you are applying to
- PSEA: completed the assessment for the program and intake(s) you are applying to
Programs will use these assessment results to generate the ETP score for an application. Applicants can monitor their application status through their mySAIT account.
Preparing for the assessments
Practice exams are not available for the CASPer assessment. However, there are materials and practice questions that applicants can review here.
Practice exams are not available for the PSEA assessment.
Questions in the exam will include reading comprehension, math, science, career awareness, typing skills, and reasoning-type questions which are pertinent to success in the profession and at a level equivalent to the admission requirements of the program.
Applicants may prepare by reviewing Alberta curriculum material for the admission requirement subjects for their program. Career information can be found on the relevant program page and the ALIS website.
CASPer is a situational judgement test. Applicants will be provided a scenario and asked how they would respond. Samples of the types of questions you may see during the assessment can be reviewed here.
PSEA 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 academic requirements for the program.
Taking the assessments
The PSEA will be available as soon as payment has been made. We advise that students do not submit the payment for their PSEA until they are ready to write their exam as it begins as soon as the payment is processed. The assessment must be completed in one sitting. Applicants who leave the room during the assessment will be disqualified.
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 – I.e. 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.
CASPer assessments are done by appointment. Once you have paid for the assessment, you will need to choose the time that you would like to complete the assessment and the program(s) to which you would like to distribute results. Note: Assessment appointments are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
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.
Each assessment requires a piece of government-issued photo identification to complete the assessment. Further information for each assessment is below.
CASPer: Review the Preparing for CASPer pages here.
PSEA: Applicants should review the assessment instructions to know what to bring to an assessment as they differ by program. The only program able to use an external calculator is the Nuclear Medicine Technology program. All other programs must use the PSEA built-in calculator which is located on the right-hand side of the assessment questions. Look for the icon below.
No start/stop is permitted during either assessment. Once an applicant starts an assessment, they must complete it in one sitting. Stepping away from the screen during the assessment is not permitted. This would be considered a violation of the student code of conduct and result in initiation of the SAIT procedure.
During the assessment
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.
Results
Due to the volume of applications, individualized feedback for the CASPer assessment and the PSEA are not provided to applicants. An applicant’s ETP score is generated only after all ETP assessments and program applications are completed. Once the program receives each component score, an ETP score is generated for the applicant.
An applicant’s ETP program score must be >50% to meet the non-academic admission requirement for the program.
Scores will not be evaluated by the program until after applications open in October.
CASPer assessment scores are distributed to the program approximately two weeks following the session.
PSEA scores are provided to the program following assessment completion.
Once an applicant completes the ETP and submits a program application, the Learner Experience team will use these component scores to generate an applicant’s ETP score for the program and submit it to the system. Applicants should continue to review their mySAIT account to monitor the status of their application.
Contact us
School of Health and Public Safety
R213, Senator Burns Building, SAIT Main Campus
403.284.8500 hps.info@sait.caMonday - Friday | 9 am - 4pm
Book an appointment with an academic advisor