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Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI or TSIA2) is a two-part college readiness assessment in the areas of math, reading, and writing. Your assessment will be used by your academic advisor to help you select classes that will set your college career up for success. Incoming students are required to complete the TSI Assessment prior to beginning the first semester of classes unless they qualify for a waiver or an exemption.

Incoming freshmen will be able to register for classes without TSI scores on file but you will be dropped from your classes if you do not provide scores or exemptions before the start of the semester.

You Are Exempt If…

The TSI Assessment is split into two sections:

  • Reading and Writing
  • Mathematics

You may not be required to complete one or both sections of the TSI Assessment if you qualify for one of the exemptions below. Once you submit proof of your exemption, your TSI requirement will be removed.

Exemptions for Reading and Writing

ACT, SAT, or STAAR
  • ACT- composite score 23+ AND English score 19+
  • ACT administered on or after February 15, 2023: a combined score of 40 on the English and Reading (E + R) tests shall be exempt for both reading and writing or ELAR sections of the TSI.
  • SAT (2016-present)- evidence-based reading and writing score 480+
  • SAT (prior to 2016)- combined score 1070+ AND verbal score 500+
  • STAAR test- English III (reading) score 2,000+ AND English III (writing) score 2,000+
Completed College Coursework
  • Students completing dual credit coursework equivalent to English 1301, English 1302, Psych 2301, or Univ 0301 with a D or better
  • Students transferring from a Texas public institution that deems student is TSI complete in reading and writing area
  • Students transferring from an out-of-state institution that has completed college coursework equivalent to English 1301, English 1302, Psych 2301, or Univ 0301 with a D or better
  • Students that have graduated with either an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are granted full TSI testing exemption
Military Waiver

A student will have their TSI requirement waived if they are currently serving:

  • Active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard
  • Service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States (excludes reserves of Texas National Guard).
  • Complete the Military TSI Exemption

Students must show proof each academic year. i.e. each fall semester.

GED
  • A minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test shall be exempt for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR).

Exemptions for Math

ACT, SAT, or STAAR
  • ACT- composite score 23+ AND mathematics score 19+
  • ACT administered on or after February 15, 2023: A score of 22 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI assessment.
  • SAT (2016-present)- mathematics score 530+
  • SAT (prior to 2016)- combined score 1070+ AND mathematics score 500+
  • STAAR test- EOC – Algebra II score 4,000+
Completed College Coursework
  • Students completing dual credit coursework equivalent to Math 1314, 1332, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1342, 0306, or 0305 with a D or better
  • Students transferring from a Texas public institution that deems student is TSI complete in reading and writing area
  • Students transferring from an out-of-state institution that has completed college coursework equivalent to Math 1314, 1332, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1342, 0306, or 0305 with a D or better
  • Students that have graduated with either an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are granted full TSI testing exemption.
Military Waiver

A student will have their TSI requirement waived if they are currently serving:

  • Active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard
  • Service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States (excludes reserves of Texas National Guard).
  • Complete the Military TSI Exemption

Students must show proof each academic year. i.e. each fall semester.

GED
  • A minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test shall be exempt for mathematics.

How to Submit Proof of Exemption Documentation

ACT, SAT, or STAAR
  • Request your ACT scores to be sent to Tarleton
  • Request your SAT scores be sent to Tarleton from the College Board
  • STAAR test scores will be taken from your official high school transcript.

If you have trouble submitting scores for TSI exemption, please contact your TSI Assessment Coordinator

Completed College Coursework

Sent official college transcript(s) by mail or electronically through one of the electronic service programs below.

For dual credit coursework: We cannot accept dual-credit from a high school transcript. Please complete a request at all colleges and/or universities you attended for dual credit acknowledgement.

By Mail:

Tarleton State University
Undergraduate Admissions
Box T-0030
Stephenville, TX 76402

By Electronic Service:

  • Escript
  • Scribbles

please use [email protected] as the receiving email

If you have trouble sending official transcripts to Tarleton, please contact your TSI Assessment Coordinator

Military Waiver

Please complete the Military Exemption form and return by mail, fax, or email

Mail to:

Tarleton State University
Undergraduate Admissions
Box T-0030
Stephenville, TX 76402

Fax to 254-968-9951

Email to [email protected]

Complete Your Assessment

There are multiple ways you can complete your TSI Assessment Requirement. The most common are:

  1. Register and complete TSI Assessment at your local community college
  2. Register and complete TSI Assessment through the Tarleton Testing Center (in person and virtual options available)
  3. Enroll in a Texas College Bridge course for the section(s) you need to complete

If you completed your TSI Assessment at a local community college or location other than Tarleton’s Testing Center, complete the score release form below to give Tarleton access to your results.

Submit Score Release Form to give Tarleton access to your TSI Assessment

Schedule an appointment at our Stephenville campus testing center. The TSI assessment is offered daily at our Stephenville and Fort Worth campuses with both morning and afternoon times available. You may also sign up to complete your assessment online with a virtual proctor!

Schedule an exam at the Stephenville Testing Center

Schedule an exam at the Fort Worth Testing Center

When scheduling an exam, make sure you select “Placement Exams” as exam type and “TSIA2” as exam.

The Texas College Bridge program is preparing high school juniors and seniors for college with free, self-paced, online courses to strengthen English and math skills. Students that successfully complete the program will earn their TSI exemption at Tarleton.

Speak with your high school counselor to see if the Texas College Bridge program could be an option for you!

Commonly Asked Question

  • The TSI scores are used to help us accurately place you in Math and/or English/Reading classes to ensure you have the level of support you need to be successful.
  • Without assessment documentation, you will be dropped from your registered courses prior to the first day of the semester.
  • TSI assessment documentation and/or exemptions are required by Texas legislation.

You may email the Student Assessment Coordinator or call 254-968-9269 to verify what sections of the TSI Assessment you need to take (English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) and essay and/or Math).

  • Study and take the TSI Assessment with the goal in mind to make the College Ready Score. If you do not satisfy the College Ready Score the first time, we encourage you to take the assessment again.
  • If you took the TSIA2, review the practice resources available to help you build skills
  • If you completed your assessment but Tarleton does not have your results, release your scores to us using the TSI Score Release Form
  • Become College Ready at a community college by taking appropriate developmental or college level courses during the summer

In order for students to enroll in college level courses, the following minimum scores for each TSI section are listed below:

TSI must be satisfied in all areas if you are attending any campus except Stephenville; these campuses do not offer developmental support classes.

Reading351
Mathematics350
Writing340 and an essay score of 4 (if less than a 340 is scored, an essay score of 5 and an ABE Diagnostic level of 4) 

Effective Fall 2021: Reading and Writing objectives are combined into one exam, English Language Arts Reading (ELAR).

Mathematics950
English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)945
Essay5

Or could be exempt based on score plus diagnostic levels

  • ELAR 945 or lower with a diagnostic of 5 or 6 and an essay score of 5
  • Math score lower than 950 with a diagnostic score of a 6

The Texas College Bridge is a program with self-paced courses students a participating high schools may take to fulfill their TSI assessment requirement. If you are interested in this option, we recommend you speak with your high school counselor to learn more on availability.

Additional Information

If you have any TSI related questions or to verify which section(s) you need to complete (Reading/Writing and/or Math), please email the Student Assessment Coordinator or call 254-968-9269 for more information.