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Home / Admissions and Aid / Testing / TSI Testing and Exemptions

TSI Assessment 2.0 and Exemptions

The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) helps us determine whether you are ready for general coursework and what kind of preparation you may need to succeed at TSTC.

Unless exempt or waived, all incoming students must take the assessment.

Depending on your results, you may be asked to:

• Enroll in a college-level course that matches your skill level.
• Participate in a developmental course to build your skills.

Pre-Assessment Activity

Before you take the TSI, you must participate in a state-mandated Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) unless you have already completed a PAA at TSTC or another institution or are exempt.

The PAA provides practice test questions, developmental education options, and available campus and community resources.

Sign up for your PAA

Take your PAA at this link.

Taking the TSIA2

Step 1: Meet with an Enrollment Coach

Step 2: Schedule and pay

Step 3: Bring these documents to your assessment

Step 4: Take the TSIA2

Step 5: Receive your score report

An Enrollment Coach will help you determine whether you need to take the assessment. You may be exempt or waived from taking the assessment based on other testing or coursework you have completed.

Schedule your exam at one of our locations. You can also arrange to have your test administered close to home or virtual.

You may upload our PAA completion certificate when scheduling your assessment. Click here for PAA step-by-step instructions.

When you take the assessment, please bring:

• A valid photo identification. You will not be allowed to test without identification.

Expect to spend up to four hours if you are planning to take the entire test.

If you need accommodations

To arrange a disability accommodation, please contact Access & Learning Accommodations at adarequest@tstc.edu at least two weeks before your test date. Late requests will be considered but cannot be guaranteed.

You will receive a score report at the end of your test. Bring it with you when you meet with an Enrollment Coach so they can determine the appropriate next steps based on your results.

Steps to Access Your Test Scores from the Accuplacer/TSIA2 Student Portal

What if my scores don’t meet the minimum standards?

If your scores do not meet minimum standards, you have two choices:

1. You can take the test again at any time but testing fees will apply. Take a look at our TSIA preparation materials at the bottom of this webpage.
2. You will have to take developmental courses until you reach the required level to be college-ready.

Step 1: Meet with an Enrollment Coach

An Enrollment Coach will help you determine whether you need to take the assessment. You may be exempt or waived from taking the assessment based on other testing or coursework you have completed.

Step 2: Schedule and pay

Schedule your exam at one of our locations. You can also arrange to have your test administered close to home or virtual.

You may upload our PAA completion certificate when scheduling your assessment. Click here for PAA step-by-step instructions.

Step 3: Bring these documents to your assessment

When you take the assessment, please bring:

• A valid photo identification. You will not be allowed to test without identification.

Step 4: Take the TSIA2

Expect to spend up to four hours if you are planning to take the entire test.

If you need accommodations

To arrange a disability accommodation, please contact Access & Learning Accommodations at adarequest@tstc.edu at least two weeks before your test date. Late requests will be considered but cannot be guaranteed.

Step 5: Receive your score report

You will receive a score report at the end of your test. Bring it with you when you meet with an Enrollment Coach so they can determine the appropriate next steps based on your results.

Steps to Access Your Test Scores from the Accuplacer/TSIA2 Student Portal

What if my scores don’t meet the minimum standards?

If your scores do not meet minimum standards, you have two choices:

1. You can take the test again at any time but testing fees will apply. Take a look at our TSIA preparation materials at the bottom of this webpage.
2. You will have to take developmental courses until you reach the required level to be college-ready.

TSI Exemptions & Waivers

Submit documentation to an Enrollment Coach.

Exemption

English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR)

Mathematics

Documentation Needed

ACT Scores valid for five years

For test dates prior to 2/15/23: Composite score of 23 with a 19 score on the English

For test dates on or after 2/15/23: Combined score of 40 on the English and Reading (E+R)

For test dates prior to 2/15/23: Composite score 23 with a 19 score on the Math

For test dates on or after 2/15/23: Score of 22 on the Mathematics

High school transcript or Copy of test scores

SAT Scores valid for five years

480 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)

530 on the Mathematics

High school transcript or Copy of test scores

STAAR EOC Scores valid for five years

Level 2 with score of 4000 on the English III

Level 2 with score of 4000 on the Algebra II

High school transcript or Copy of test scores

GED Scores valid for five years

165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA)

165 on the Mathematical Reasoning

Copy of test scores

HiSET Scores valid for five years (Scores with test date after 8/31/2021 will no longer be useable for TSI exemptions)

15 on the Reading and 15 on the Writing with a score of 4 on the Essay

15 on the Mathematics

Copy of test scores

Military

* Serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, Texas National Guard, or member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years

* Honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States on or after August 1, 1990

* Serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, Texas National Guard, or member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years

* Honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States on or after August 1, 1990

Copy of DD-214

Degree Awarded

Graduated with an associate or bachelor degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Graduated with an associate or bachelor degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Copy of college transcript

Transfer

* Transfers from a public, private, or accredited out of state institution of higher education and successfully completed college level coursework as determined by TSTC

* Previously attended any institution and was determined to have met college readiness by that institution

* Transfers from a public, private, or accredited out of state institution of higher education and successfully completed college level coursework as determined by TSTC

* Previously attended any institution and was determined to have met college readiness by that institution

Copy of college transcript

Waiver

English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR)

Mathematics

Documentation Needed

House Bill 5 Valid for two years (Harlingen Campus)

70% in English Language Arts

70% in Mathematics

Official high school transcript

Texas College Bridge Valid for two years

90% in English Language Arts

90% in Mathematics

Copy of certificate of completion and official high school transcript

Certificate

* Enrolled in a Level one certificate program of one year or less

* Enrolled in a Level one certificate program of one year or less

N/A

TSIA Preparation Materials

Build your knowledge Does math scare you? Practice here. Get familiar with the TSI by taking some test prep Before you take the TSI, learn more.