Undergraduate Admissions

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

What is the Texas Success Initiative?

TSI is a state mandated requirement assessing a student’s proficiency in reading, writing, and math.

How do I know if I am exempt from the TSI requirement?

• The student has earned a bachelor’s degree from any accredited institution or an associate’s degree from any accredited public institution in Texas.
• The student is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment. (must provide a completed waiver form)
• The student was 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 served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States on or after August 1, 1990. (must provide a completed waiver form)
• The student has attended another Texas public institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
• The student has transferred to the university from a private or independent institution of higher education, an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education, or an
• international institution of higher education and has completed college-level coursework in specified areas and has achieved a C or better in those courses.
  
• A student with an SAT score of at least 1070 and a score of at least 500 on the verbal and math section is exempt. (valid 5 years from test date)
• A student with an ACT composite score of at least 23 and a score of at least 19 on the English and math section is exempt. (valid 5 years from test date)
• A student with a TAKS math and English/language arts score of at least 2200 and an essay score of at least 3 is exempt. (valid 3 years from test date)

What scores are considered passing?

THEA: Reading: 230 Mathematics: 230 Writing: 220
COMPASS: Reading: 81 Algebra: 39 Writing: 6 on essay, or combined scores of 59 on writing and 5 on the essay
ACCUPLACER: Reading: 78 Algebra: 63 Writing: 6 on essay, or combined scores of 80 on sentence Skills and 5 on the essay
ASSET: Reading: 41 Algebra: 38 Writing: 6 on essay, or combined scores of 40 on writing and 5 on the essay

How can I take the test if it is determined that I am not exempt from one or more sections of the TSI requirement?

Prospective students may request information regarding acceptable tests by contacting the Central Texas College testing office at 254-526-1254 or the Temple College testing office at 800-460-4636 ext. 8586. For more general information about the THEA test please visit www.thea.nesinc.com. For more general information about the ASSET test please visit www.act.org/asset.