The Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) assessment is a tool used to evaluate a student’s foundational skills in reading, writing, and maths. Completion of an LLN helps TAFE SA identify and assist students with any potential learning or support needs, and in some cases, provide as evidence of academic eligibility.
TAFE SA is required to make sure you have the foundational skills needed to succeed in your course. For qualifications funded under Subsidised Training, we do this by assessing prior evidence of study, or by asking you to sit a Language, Literacy & Numeracy (LLN) assessment.
Some qualifications will have additional LLN outcome requirements as part of the Course Admissions Requirements (CAR) when applying for a place at TAFE SA.
If applying for a VET Student Loan, your LLN results can also be used as evidence of your academic suitability to undertake the course.
Once you have applied for your TAFE SA course, you will be contacted via email and invited to complete the LLN assessment. Depending on your qualification, you may have the option of how you would like your assessment to be monitored.
Students can book into a virtual classroom session via video call to complete their assessment. A TAFE SA team member will be present throughout the entire session to assist and monitor student activity.
Students can book, reschedule, or cancel online through the Event Booking Portal available in your email, or calling the TAFE SA Customer Support team on 1800 882 661.
Students can book into a session and attend on one of our TAFE SA campuses. All computer equipment is provided in these sessions. A TAFE SA team member will be present throughout the session to assist and monitor student activity.
An Online Monitored Assessment allows students to complete their assessment any time, without the need for a booking. These assessments are moderated using automated technology and if any unusual activity is identified, it’s flagged for a TAFE SA team member to check upon completion. This option is suitable for students who have the required computer equipment and are comfortable without real time assistance.
Online Monitored Assessments are currently only available for select qualifications.
The LLN assessment is tailored to the individual, and the sections, questions, and timing may vary depending on the qualification. Most questions are presented as a combination of written and visual elements with multiple-choice answers, addressing everyday numeracy and reading comprehension. Some assessments will also contain a writing section that requires written responses to proposed scenarios.
Supervised LLN assessments are completed at the participant’s own pace within a supervised three hour session. Students may not require the full three hours to complete their LLN Assessment and can exit the session once finished.
Depending on a student’s current skill level and the requirements of their qualification, they may only be required to complete a snapshot assessment of their skills. This typically takes from 15 minutes to an hour to complete. If additional understanding of your skills is required, your assessment may be extended in real time so we can further assess your skills. This more comprehensive assessment can take up to three hours to complete.
If you wish to apply for a VET Student Loan or it is a requirement of your course, you may be required to start with the comprehensive assessment.
When you log in to complete your LLN Assessment, the system will automatically direct you to the right type of assessment based on your needs. You won’t need to worry about choosing, the system will guide you.
The LLN is a monitored assessment, and the requirements may vary depending on your choice of the session types available to you.
If you are attending a booked session, please allow enough time to log in/attend your session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
While completing your LLN, you will be under supervised conditions to ensure the integrity of your results. If your assessment is completed in breach of the following principles, then your results may not be accepted.
External assistance
You must complete the LLN entirely on your own, without the help of another person or external resource. This includes circumstances that could allow assistance, such as having other people nearby, communication devices, or programs and browser tabs not related to the assessment.
Unauthorised devices
Only devices required to complete the assessment should be present. The presence of phones, laptops, tablets, calculators or similar devices may be considered a breach.
Note: There is an inbuilt calculator available in the numeracy section which you may use in the assessment.
Monitoring disruptions
We must be able to see your activity for the whole assessment to ensure compliance. For online session types, your camera and microphone must stay active and clearly capture you throughout the entire assessment.
If you need individual support or adjustments for your LLN assessment, you will need to provide documentation from a treating practitioner. This can be a medical practitioner, psychologist, or other accredited health specialist. You can use the TAFE SA Medical Practitioner Report or provide a letter written by your treating practitioner.
If you think you may need individual support, we recommend you book an appointment to speak with a Student Counsellor at least 7 days prior to your scheduled LLN session to discuss your individual circumstances. The Student Counsellor can answer your queries and work out a plan if you need extra support.
No, the LLN assessment is provided free of charge.
You may be eligible for an LLN exemption if you have previously completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification that is equivalent to or above the level of the course you are applying for. Please note, exemptions may not apply to all student groups. If you have not been granted an automatic exemption and you believe you may be eligible, please contact our TAFE SA Customer Support team.
Possibly. While the LLN is required for government-funded courses, your course may also require it as part of the course admission requirements, or you may need to complete it to provide suitable academic evidence if applying for a VET Student Loan.
Use the Course Search tool to find your qualification. You'll find a summary of all relevant information, including any Course Admission Requirements.
Yes, TAFE SA recognises valid LLN results from the last three years, which removes the need to complete a new LLN assessment, provided your scores meet your course requirements. If you completed an LLN for a previous application, you may request to transfer your results to your current application. Contact the TAFE SA Customer Support team to check if this applies to you. Please note: TAFE SA doesn't accept LLN results from other training providers.
Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your booking through the online Event Booking Portal. If you need help, call the TAFE SA Customer Support team on 1800 882 661.
No, children are not permitted in LLN sessions.
The booking system only displays available sessions, so you'll only see sessions with spaces when you book.
You can review your answers while you're still in a section. However, once you click "finish", you cannot go back to change your responses.
Using the bathroom before beginning your assessment is recommended. However, you can take bathroom breaks if needed. Request permission from your moderator first, and for Online Monitored Assessments, keep breaks brief and infrequent to avoid triggering a potential breach.
LLN results are not provided directly to students. However, you and your employer (when applicable) will receive notice of your LLN assessment completion and outcome. If your results show you require learning support, the TAFE SA team will contact you to discuss available options.
LLN Assessments do not provide a direct pass or fail. Instead, results are used to assess whether you require any learning support. In most cases, you may still be offered a place in your course, but if we identify that you need additional support, we may ask you to partake in a Bridging Unit alongside your studies, or a TAFE Ready course to help improve your skills before commencing study. If your LLN was undertaken as part of an eligibility criteria for your course or a VET Student Loan, then low results may impact your ability to receive an offer or access a VET Student Loan. In some cases, you may be able to resit your LLN Assessment after a three-month waiting period, which could mean you miss out on an offer in the current intake. To better understand your options, contact the TAFE SA Customer Support team.
If your LLN is considered to breach the assessment conditions, you'll receive an email notifying you and requesting you re-sit in a supervised session on campus or in a virtual classroom environment. If you disagree with the decision, contact the TAFE SA Customer Support team on 1800 882 661 for more information about the determination. If you're still not satisfied with the outcome, you can request a review.
You can re-sit your LLN assessment in two situations:
Online Monitored Assessment breach: If you are requested to resit your LLN due to incomplete results or a breach of assessment conditions, you will be able to do so on one occasion, at a scheduled time. The resit must be completed in a supervised session on campus or in a virtual classroom environment.
General resits for offer or VSL eligibility requirements: You may re-sit the LLN after three months and if necessary, again after another three months. In most cases, a re-sit isn’t required as LLN results typically don’t affect your eligibility for an offer. Meeting specific LLN levels is only required for certain qualifications, or if you plan to use your results as academic suitability for a VET Student Loan. Please note that re-sitting might mean missing out on an offer for the current intake period.
The term LLN includes assessments like the Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA). Completing a comprehensive LLN assessment at TAFE SA equals undertaking a CSPA. The assessment is tailored to your individual needs, and you will be directed to the appropriate version for your studies.
The term LLN includes assessments like the Snapshot Reading and Numeracy Indicator (SRNI), sometimes called a Snapshot assessment. The assessment is tailored to your individual needs, and you will be directed to the appropriate version for your studies.
Audio recordings and screen captures from Online Monitored Assessments are kept for three months.
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