What is the TSI?

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program designed to determine if a student is ready for college-level course work in the general areas of reading, writing and mathematics. This program will also help determine what type of course or intervention will best meet the student's needs and to assist in becoming better prepared for college-level course work. 

Do I have to take a TSI Exam? 

Students who do not meet one of the following exemptions must take TSI Assessment prior to enrolling.

You may be exempt from taking the TSI Assessment if you have:

1. ACT scores: English = 19, Math = 19, Composite = 23
2. SAT scores: Reading and Writing = 480, Math = 530
3. STAAR end-of-course (EOC): minimum score of Level 2 on English III exempts reading and writing (minimum scale score 2000), minimum score of Level 2 on Algebra II exempts math (minimum scale score 4000).
4. an Associate’s Degree or higher from an accredited Texas public institution
5. transferred to school from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by your school
6. previously attended any institution and been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution
7. Military (U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, member of reserve component of armed forces)
   1. have been serving on active duty at least 3 years preceding enrollment or,
   2. were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty on or after August 1, 1990

*ACT/SAT scores not older than 5 years and from same test date. TAKS scores not older than 5 years. Partial exemptions are allowed.

Do I have to take both parts of the exam? What are the passing standards?

Students must test only in areas not exempted or deemed not college ready. 

Every student is required to complete a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) before taking the TSI Assessment. 

The passing standards are as follows:

ELAR - 945 (5 or higher on the Diagnostics)

ESSAY - 5

Math- 950 (6 on the Diagnostics)

*The test is untimed. Students cannot bring calculators - they'll only be allowed to use the calculator app provided by the test. Students may retest at any time. However, between testing sessions, students MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF PREPARATION for the re-test. This can be in the form of online test prep or in-person tutoring. 

What happens if I do not pass both sections?

You must enroll in a developmental course every semester (Fall/Spring/Summer I/Summer II) until you clear all three sections of TSI. Dropping a developmental course may result in a TSI violation. Talk to a college adviser before dropping any developmental course.

Which developmental courses do I enroll in?

If you have not passed TSI requirements to enroll in college level Math and English courses, you need to enroll in course-based or non-course-based developmental education. These are non-credit bearing courses and are not calculated in your GPA. The CCC has a handout that goes into further details about developmental courses. See us for details.