“TSI” Fact Sheet

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requires students enrolling in college level courses to be assessed academically to determine college readiness. Beginning August 26, 2013(or first class day of college/university providing testing),the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is requiring all Texas public colleges and universities to begin administering the New TSI (Texas Success Initiative)Assessment. Students who have not met a state approved exemption will be subject to the new TSI Assessment requirements as well as students who have not successfully passed all three parts in one of the previous assessments (Accuplacer, Compass, THEA or Asset).

Student Exemptions

  • SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on critical reading shall exempt the reading and writing sections of TSI and 500 on Math shall exempt the math section of TSI.
  • ACT composite score of 23 with minimum of 19 on the English test shall exempt both reading and writing sections of TSI and/or 19 on math shall exempt math section of TSI
  • Student is exempt with high school exit level TAKS minimum scale scores of 2200 in Math and 2200 in English Language Arts with Writing sub-score of 3.
  • STAAR end-of-course with a minimum score of Level 2 on the English III shall exempt the TSI Assessment required for reading and writing, and a minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall exempt the TSI Assessmentrequired for the math section.
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree (from a Texas public institution)
  • Student who will enroll in a certificate program of one year or less.
  • ESOL Waiver-an institution may grant a temporary waiver from the assessment in order to provide appropriate ESOL/ESL coursework and interventions.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT:

  • Students who failed any portion of Accuplacer, Compass, THEA, or Asset previously willonly need to take the section they lack in the new TSI Test if they wereenrolled in a college level course/Dual Enrollment in August 2013.
  • Students who failed any portion of Accuplacer, Compass, THEA, or Asset previously will NEED to take ALL SECTIONS of the NEW TSI if they were not enrolled in a college level course/Dual Enrollment in August 2013
  • Students who have passed all three sections in eitherAccuplacer, Compass, THEA or Asset testwill not need to retest in the New TSI if they were enrolled in a college level course/Dual Enrollment in August 2013.
  • Students who claim/claimed an exemption will not need to take the New TSI test.

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  • Students must be given a Pre Assessment Activity (such as online modules, workshops or orientations) before he/she can take a test. Student will not be able to test until this requirement is fulfilled. An answer of “no” to test question #1 pertaining to this activity will block student from proceeding with test.
  • New TSI Test is untimed, average time span is about five hours.
  • Student may retake the TSI at any time, subject to availability.
  • If a student fails the retake, the TSI mandate recommends that the student receive tutoring or instructional materials to assist them in obtaining a passing score.
  • Testing fees for the new TSI vary depending on testing institution.
  • Sample TSI Test Questions are available @ Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website and @
  • TSI Student Informative Brochure is available @ Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website and @

TSI ASSESSMENT cut scores approved by the Coordinating Boardat the

April 25, 2013 Meeting

Approved phase-in College Ready cut-scores

Phase 1- Freshmen entering higher education Fall 2013(first class day)

Mathematics- 350

Reading-351

Writing- Placement score of at least 350 and essay score of at least 5; or

Placement score of at least 363 and an essay score of 4; or

Placement score of at least 350 and an ABE Diagnostic level of at least a 4, and

an essay score of at least a 5

Phase 2- Freshmen entering higher education Fall2017(first class day)

Mathematics-356

Reading-355

Writing- Placement score of at least 350 and essay score of at least 5; or

Placement score of at least 363 and an essay score of 4; or

Placement score of at least 350 and an ABE Diagnostic level of at least a 4, and

an essay score of at least a 5

****Subject to change by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Phase 3- Freshmen entering higher education Fall 2019(first class day)

Mathematics-369

Reading-359

Writing- Placement score of at least 350 and essay score of at least 5; or

Placement score of at least 363 and an essay score of 4; or

Placement score of at least 350 and an ABE Diagnostic level of at least a 4, and

an essay score of at least a 5

****Subject to change by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Fact Sheet prepared by the BISD Guidance & Counseling Department–Pilar Janis, Lead Higher Education Counselor

BISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or genetic information in employment or provision of services, programs or activities.
BISD no discrimina a base de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, religión, edad, discapacidad o información genética en el empleo o en la provisión de servicios, programas o actividades.