Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA)

Achieving the required minimum score established for a program, through the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA), is one of several ways that applicants may satisfy SIAST's English language proficiency requirement.  Note though that SIAST does not accept the Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) as evidence of English proficiency.

Canadian Language Benchmarks (pdf) have been established for SIAST programs since 2006. Assessments are regularly conducted through SIAST Wascana Campus (Regina) and SIAST Kelsey Campus (Saskatoon). Applicants to any of our four campuses are invited to use this service. An administrative fee applies to each CLB assessment and CLB transcript request, as outlined in our Tuition and Fee policy (pdf).

You may receive a letter from Registration Services in response to your application, indicating that SIAST's English language proficiency requirement is outstanding. This letter, or a letter of referral from Student Development or the program head, will make you eligible for a SIAST CLB assessment. The letter will provide you with relevant contact information. You must bring the letter and your receipt for payment to your assessment appointment.

Applicants who are not successful in achieving the required minimum benchmark must wait six calendar months before reassessment (regardless of the assessment provider). Applicants must re-write all CLB test segments, not only the segment(s) where the required minimum was not met.

You may only write the assessment three times and your results remain current for a period of one year from the date of assessment. Results remain the property of SIAST and are not released to you or any external agency except regional colleges in administering brokered SIAST programs. There is no formal appeal process concerning results.

Applicants who do not achieve the required benchmark through CLBA may have an opportunity to meet SIAST's English language requirement through successful completion of the English for Post Secondary Success course (ENGL 1601), offered through Basic Education in Regina and Saskatoon (tuition fee $50). Such applicants may request a referral for ENGL 1601 from Basic Education, and will be referred if they present a potential for successful completion within one year. Applicants with a projected ENGL 1601 completion date prior to August 1 will be conditionally waitlisted or conditionally accepted if all other requirements to the program have been met or conditionally met as well. Applicants who do not successfully complete ENGL 1601 will have their applications withdrawn.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)