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SAIT

ASSESSMENT POLICY

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Contents 1. OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................... 3

2. ASSESSMENT FEES - GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................ 3

3. PAYMENT OF ASSESSMENT FEES BY AN EMPLOYER ................................................................................... 3

4. CANDIDATES AWAITING RESULTS - (SUPPLEMENTARY AND STANDARD) ................................................. 4

5. ASSESSMENT DATE CHANGE OR ASSESSMENT CANCELLATION ................................................................. 4

6. PROCESS WHEN ABSENT ON DAY OF SCHEDULED ASSESSMENT ............................................................... 5

7. AMOUNTS TO BE REFUNDED ...................................................................................................................... 5

8. FACTORS CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING PERCENTAGE TO BE WITHHELD FROM ASSESSMENT FEE . 6

9. ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES .......................................................... 6

10. ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ...................................................... 6

11. ASSESSMENT MATERIAL .......................................................................................................................... 6

12. ASSESSMENT RESULTS ............................................................................................................................. 7

13. ASSESSMENT TIMES, PRESENCE AND ADMISSION TO THE ASSESSMENT VENUE .................................. 7

14. LANGUAGE OF ASSESSMENTS ................................................................................................................. 7

15. ASSESSMENT VENUES.............................................................................................................................. 7

16. DUPLICATE/INCORRECT PAYMENTS MADE TO AND RECEIVED BY SAIT ................................................. 7

17. Annexure 1: ASSESSMENT REFUND ......................................................................................................... 9

18. Annexure 2 CONSENT FORM TO REALEASE MARKS .............................................................................. 11

19. Annexure 3 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT VENUE APPLICATION ..................................................................... 12

Special Assessment Venue Application Form .............................................................................................. 12

Assessment Information ............................................................................................................................ 12

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1. OVERVIEW The following policy is applicable to all SAIT qualifications assessments including:

● Initial Test of Competence (ITC) for Occupational Certificate Tax Professional and Tax Technician. ● External Integrated Summative Assessments (EISA) for Occupational Certificate Tax Professional and

Tax Technician. ● Occupational Certificate Tax Professional and Tax Technician Supplementary Assessments. ● The prescribed assessment fee for each respective assessment will be published on the SAIT website

for each assessment window. o www.thesait.org.za o SAIT Store

If you have any further queries in regards to this policy please feel free to contact the SAIT Head of Education, Caretha Laubscher at +27 (12) 941 0400.

2. ASSESSMENT FEES - GENERAL INFORMATION

● Candidates who are eligible to write in terms of the SAIT assessment entry requirements/Occupational Certificate requirements; and are registered to write an assessment will be liable for the prescribed assessment fees as published on the SAIT website.

● The assessment fee for each assessment is published on the website and indicated on the online assessment registration page. The assessment fee might be discounted in terms of the early bird registrations criteria requirement.

● As per the SAIT assessment policy the candidate will receive an invoice via email after successfully completing the online assessment registration process.

● Please take note of the following information if the Employer is paying for the candidate/s assessment:

- The Employer notify SAIT of the payment arrangement. - The employer supply invoice details for the assessment invoice to be issued. - If the employer is making payment for more than one candidate (bulk payment), the employer

provide a list of all candidates the employer will be paying for to education@thesait.org.za before the prescribed closing date for the respective assessment.

- Refer to section 3 below for further employer payment information. ● Payment for all invoices must reach SAIT on or before the prescribed date pertaining to the relevant

assessment. ● In terms of non-payment and part payment: - Access to the assessment venue will be refused if full payment has not been received and allocated by

SAIT. - Results of the assessment will be withheld until full payment has been received and allocated by SAIT.

3. PAYMENT OF ASSESSMENT FEES BY AN EMPLOYER

● Even if an employer make a commitment to pay a candidate's assessment fee, the candidate remains liable for the fee and the burden therefore rests on the candidate to ensure that payment for the assessment fee is received by SAIT, on or before the required date.

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● Employers may make payment for multiple candidates. In this case, the employer must furnish SAIT with a list of the candidate names and ID numbers they have agreed to pay for and assessment sessions the candidates will sit for, in order for SAIT to generate a bulk invoice.

● Proof of payment must be emailed to SAIT education department education@thesait.org.za. ● After receipt of employer payments, the individual candidate’s invoices that were generated during

the registration process will be credited. ● Payments of all invoices must reach SAIT on or before the prescribed cut-off dates.

NOTE: SAIT reserves the right to withhold a candidate’s assessment results until the prescribed fee has been received and allocated by the SAIT finance department.

4. CANDIDATES AWAITING RESULTS - (SUPPLEMENTARY AND STANDARD)

● Candidates who have written an assessment (Supplementary or Standard) and are awaiting their results are advised to tentatively register for the next assessment session to secure a place as well as benefit from the discounted early bird rate.

● Candidates will only be required to make payment once their previous assessment results is confirmed.

● Candidates are liable for payment of assessment fees as soon as results are confirmed for the previous assessment or supplementary assessment and candidates are eligible to write within the next assessment session.

● Should the candidate not be eligible for the assessment they have registered for after receiving their awaited results, the candidate should inform the education department at education@thesait.org.za

● After informing the education department the relevant assessment registration will be cancelled. ● Candidates need to supply SAIT with their banking information for any refunds to be made.

Please note: Refunds will only be processed once SAIT has received the candidates’ proof of identification and proof of bank account number. Please be so kind to forward the requested proof to education@thesait.org.za

● In order to receive a refund please notify SAIT education department in accordance to section 5 below. NOTE: SAIT reserves the right to withhold a candidate’s assessment results until the prescribed fee has been received and allocated by the SAIT finance department.

5. ASSESSMENT DATE CHANGE OR ASSESSMENT CANCELLATION

● A nominal administrative fee will be charged on all assessments that are cancelled. ● A nominal administrative fee will be charged on all assessments that are moved to another

assessment window. ● Any candidates who want to cancel or move their current assessment must submit a

cancellation/reschedule request in writing, stating the reason for the request. ● A withdrawal from the relevant assessment will be accepted by SAIT up to 5 working days prior to the

scheduled assessment session except in cases where an assessment venue has specifically been requested and booked for specific candidate/s. Candidate/s will be notified 21 days in advance of the assessment session if they are scheduled to write in such an assessment venue.

● Requests can be sent via e-mail to the education department in regards to the relevant assessment session at education@thesait.org.za

● The following documentation must be included with the written request for withdrawing from scheduled assessment session: 1. The prescribed form (Refer to Annexure 1); and

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2. Supporting documentation (such as a medical certificate) to substantiate the application, should be submitted with the application; and

3. Proof of payment must be submitted with the application. ● Each application is then assessed individually and the portion to be refunded is to be determined by

the Head of Education. ● A portion of the fee will always be withheld to cover administration costs. ● Candidates seeking an appeal to the decision of the Head of Education must do so within 14 days of

receiving the confirmation of decision/refund.

6. PROCESS WHEN ABSENT ON DAY OF SCHEDULED ASSESSMENT

● Candidates who are absent from a scheduled assessment and wish to have their fee refunded must submit a request, in writing, stating the reason for withdrawal from the assessment. This can be sent via e-mail to the education department as follows: education@thesait.org.za This written request MUST reach SAIT no later than 5 days after the scheduled assessment date. Any requests received after the 5 day period will not be considered.

● The following documentation must be included with the written request for refund if a candidate is absent:

1. The prescribed form (Refer to Annexure 1); and 2. Supporting documentation (such as a medical certificate) to substantiate the application, should

be submitted with the application; and 3. Proof of payment must be submitted with the application.

● Each application is then assessed individually and the portion to be refunded is to be determined by the Head of Education.

● A portion of the fee will always be withheld to cover administration costs. ● Candidates seeking an appeal to the decision of the Head of Education must do so within 14

days of receiving the confirmation of decision/refund.

7. AMOUNTS TO BE REFUNDED

● Refunds can only be made where full payment has been received. (Proof of payment to be provided) ● The amount to be refunded is determined at the discretion of the Head of Education.(Refer to

Guidelines in this regard) ● Each case is reviewed on its own merits. ● A portion of the fee will always be withheld to cover administration costs (i.e. in no circumstances will

candidates be refunded the full amount of the assessment fee). ● Candidates who registered late for the assessment will only be entitled to receive a refund on the

base assessment fee. ● Assessment fees may be carried over to a following assessment window upon written consent from

the Head of Education. Please note, assessment fees for a following assessment window might be higher than a previous session and candidates will be liable to pay the difference for the assessment session.

● If there are only one assessment window in a calendar year, the assessment may be carried over to the next year. For example with EISA November 2017 carried over to EISA November 2018. Please note candidates will be liable for a difference in assessment fees from one calendar year to another.

● If there are more than one assessment window in a calendar year, the “next” assessment will be the only option for the assessment to be carried forward. For example Initial Test of Competence June 2017 can only be carried forward to November 2017.

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● All refunds/re-scheduling will be subject to a deduction of 10% for administrative cost incurred. ● The balance of the registration fee, subject to conditions and circumstances of refund/re-scheduling

will then be held by SAIT and carried over for the next assessment session. Please take note of point 8. Factors considered when determining % to be withheld from assessment fee.

● Where the candidate submits an application for the next assessment session and then at a later date either withdraws his/her application for the next assessment session or fails to register for the next sitting as per registration date requirements, the full assessment fee paid to SAIT, will then be forfeited.

8. FACTORS CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING PERCENTAGE TO BE WITHHELD FROM ASSESSMENT FEE

● The following factors will be considered when determining the percentage to be withheld from assessment fee when a refund is requested:

● The time when the withdrawal is requested (how long before the assessment session). ● The reason is beyond the candidates control or within candidate’s control. It is very important that

candidates provide adequate supporting documents in support of their application. Please note that a contactable reference must be provided in support of withdrawal.

● Work circumstances will also be considered for withdrawals dependent on the situation and valid supporting documentation submitted in support of application. Please note that a contactable supervisor/manager reference must be provided in support of work circumstances withdrawal. Administrative fee of 10% will be withheld on all withdrawals/re-schedules. A further 10-50% can be withheld depending on circumstances for withdrawal or re-schedule. This percentage excludes “special” assessment venues. A larger percentage will be withheld the closer the application is to the assessment session. A larger percentage will be withheld if a “special” assessment venue has been booked for specific candidates. The percentage will be determined by SAIT dependent on circumstances and cost incurred.

9. ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

● Please see The Special Concession Policies and Procedures Document.

10. ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

● Upon written request from “special” candidates, additional assessment venues with invigilators can be arranged within certain geographical areas. These areas will fall outside of “normal” assessment centres as available upon registration. Please note this request must be received 3 months before a scheduled assessment session.

11. ASSESSMENT MATERIAL Please refer to the assessment guideline for each specific assessment window. The allowed assessment material rules may vary for a specific assessment. General allowed material:

● Open book assessment policy: Any bonded, published text book is allowed to be brought into the assessment venue.

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● No notes or loose paper allowed whilst writing ● For more information on permissible items and rules within the assessment venue, please see The

Initial Test of Competence Assessment Guidelines/EISA Assessment Guidelines respectively.

12. ASSESSMENT RESULTS

● SAIT has the right to withhold any Assessment Results if there are any fees outstanding. ● SAIT will have the right to withhold any Assessment Results if there were any irregularities noted

during the assessment session and these irregularities are still under investigation. ● Each candidate will receive a Statement of Results after marking, moderation and finalisation of

scripts have taken place. ● Assessment results will also be posted on the website, results will be provided by displaying the

student number and outcome of the assessment. ● A candidate’s name or surname will not be displayed on the website in terms of protection of personal

information act. ● No results will be supplied telephonically before a statement of results have been sent out to each

candidate. ● Please note written consent must be given by each candidates for assessment results to be given to a

third party for example to an employer. Please complete the Letter of Consent in Annexure 2.

13. ASSESSMENT TIMES, PRESENCE AND ADMISSION TO THE ASSESSMENT VENUE

● Please see The Initial Test of Competence Assessment Guidelines/EISA Assessment Guidelines respectively for more information on this.

14. LANGUAGE OF ASSESSMENTS

● All assessments will be presented in English.

15. ASSESSMENT VENUES

● Should a candidate wish to change the area/venue for which he/she registered a request to do so should be sent to education@thesait.org.za.

● If at all possible SAIT will grant the change in assessment venue. ● If SAIT cannot accommodate the candidate at the requested venue the candidate will remain liable for

an amount as determined by the Head of Education should he/she not be able to write the assessment at the venue of initial registration.

16. DUPLICATE/INCORRECT PAYMENTS MADE TO AND RECEIVED BY SAIT

● Refunds for duplicate credit card payments will be made within 10 working days of SAIT verifying the duplicate payment details (i.e. is in possession of its bank statement showing the relevant thus allocated deposits).

● Refunds for any other duplicate payments (i.e. candidate as well as employer paid) will only be made after the assessment is written but within 10 working days of SAIT verifying the duplicate payment.

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● Whilst the above are set rules approved by SAIT, refunds may be done sooner with the approval of the Head of Education.

● Please note that all refunds to be considered must be submitted with the following supporting documents:

o Written request on prescribed form – education@thesait.org.za o Proof of payment (duplicate payment) o Proof of identification o Proof of account

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17. Annexure 1: ASSESSMENT REFUND

REFUND FORM

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE CANDIDATE

1 Name and date of assessment for which refund is requested

2 Reason (Select and tick)

Withdrew from assessment before the assessment was written

Duplicate payment

Do not meet entry requirements for assessment

Wrong amount paid

Employer to pay for assessment and not candidate

Absent on the day of assessment

3 Candidate Information

Exam number:

Name :

Surname:

ID Number:

Employer:

4 Name of person / firm / employer to be refunded

5 Banking account details for refund to be paid into:

Bank:

Account number:

Branch Code:

Type of Account:

Supporting documentation required to be submitted with this form:

6.1 Proof of bank account refund to be paid into

(cheque, bank statement or bank stamped letter)

6.2 Proof of initial payment

6.3 Motivation for refund

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TO BE COMPLETED BY SAIT

7 Fee Paid

Amount paid:

Date Paid:

Bank Statement Reference Number:

Invoice Number:

8 Amount to be refunded

9 Completed by

10 Approved by

11 Finance to advise by e-mail once EFT done (Please tick)

Candidate

Education Department

Process: (takes between 4 – 6 weeks) • Candidate/firm completes form and return, with supporting documentation. • SAIT Education department insert information (point 7), attaches all relevant documentation, and

obtains approval (signature) from the Head of Education; then • Submits to finance to confirm payment details and process refund.

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18. Annexure 2 CONSENT FORM TO REALEASE MARKS

Consent form: Release of marks to a third party (for example an employer)

Act No. 4 of 2013: Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013

The purpose of this Act is to—

(a) give effect to the constitutional right to privacy, by safeguarding personal information when processed by

a responsible party, subject to justifiable limitations that are aimed at— (i) balancing the right to privacy

against other rights, particularly the right of access to information; and (ii) protecting important interests,

including the free flow of information within the Republic and across international borders;

(b) regulate the manner in which personal information may be processed, by establishing conditions, in

harmony with international standards, that prescribe the minimum threshold requirements for the lawful

processing of personal information; .

(c) provide persons with rights and remedies to protect their personal information from processing that is not

in accordance with this Act; and

(d) establish voluntary and compulsory measures, including the establishment of an Information Regulator,

to ensure respect for and to promote, enforce and fulfil the rights protected by this Act.

I, _____________ _______________________ (Full Names)

_____________________________________________ (ID number)

hereby grant permission to SAIT to release my results obtained in the Tax Professional Knowledge

Competency Assessment/External Integrated Summative Assessment, to a third party at the time of results

being released to me or at any time prior to them being made known to me.

The third party referred to hereafter as:

________________________________________________________ (Employer)

________________________________________________________ (Contact Person)

Signed at on this day of 20 .

Signature _______________________________________________

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19. Annexure 3 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT VENUE APPLICATION

Special Assessment Venue Application Form Applicant Information

Full Name: Last:

First:

Address:

Street Address House/Unit #

City Province Postal Code

Phone Number: ( ) ID Number:

Nationality:

Assessment Information

Assessment to be written

□ Tax Professional Initial Test of Competence Assessment

□ Tax Professional External Integrated Summative Assessment

□ Tax Technician Initial Test of Competence Assessment

□ Tax Technician External Integrated Summative Assessment

Area of Assessment Applying for

Preferred Area of Assessment Venue:____________________________________________________

Alternative Area of Assessment Venue:___________________________________________________

Employer

☐ PwC ☐ BDO ☐ SARS

☐ Deloitte ☐ KPMG ☐ EY

☐ Other

Reason for Application

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