Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
The State of Texas requires all incoming undergraduate students to demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics as defined by the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) program. Most incoming transfer students meet minimum TSI requirements through exemption, prior college coursework, or they have previously passed the TSI assessment, so no further demonstration of college readiness is required. While not a requirement for admission, transfer students entering A&M-Central Texas who do not meet TSI requirements will be advised by college academic advisors in regard to which entry-level course(s) may still need to be completed at another institution.
General TSI Exemptions
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/fids/202401824-3.pdf
Students may be exempt from all (Math, Reading, and Writing) TSI requirements under any one of the following conditions:
Students who have previously attended any institution and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution shall not be required to provide any additional demonstration of college readiness.
Students are exempt in all TSI areas if an associate or baccalaureate degree is held from an institution of higher education.
- Students are exempt in all TSI areas if serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard.
- Students are exempt in all TSI areas if currently serving as a member of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces and having served for at least 3 years preceding enrollment.
- Students are exempt if honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard, or have served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Students are exempt if considered a non-degree seeking and/or visiting student. Students who later become a degree-seeking student will be required to meet TSI standards.
Transfer Exemption
A student who transfers to the institution from a public, private, or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by A&M-Central Texas. A student with a transcribed grade of 'C' or better is not subject to TSI in accordance with Rule 4.52(b).
Exemption by Prior College Credit
Math, Reading, and Writing: Students transferring in college-level courses from another institution of higher education who have achieved a “C” may be exempt from taking the TSI assessment in one or more areas. Undergraduate Admissions will review upon receipt of official transcripts.
- Math: Calculus AB; Calculus BC; Statistics
- Reading: English Language and Composition; English Literature and Composition; Comparative Government and Politics; European History; Human Geography; Psychology; United States Government and Politics; United States History; World History
- Writing: English Language and Composition; English Literature and Composition
- Math: Math 530
- Reading: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 480
- Writing: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 480
- Math: End-of-course score of level 2 on Algebra II
- Reading: End-of-course score of level 2 on English III
- Writing: End-of-course score of level 2 on English III
GED
- Math: Mathematical Reasoning 165
- Reading: Reasoning through Language Arts: 165
- Writing: Reading: Reasoning through Language Arts: 165
HiSET
- Math: Mathematics subtest 15
- Reading: Reading subtest 15 and Writing subtest 15, including a minimum score of 4 on the essay
- Writing: Reading subtest 15 and Writing subtest 15, including a minimum score of 4 on the essay
TSI Assessment
Unless exempt (see above), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requires that, prior to enrollment, each student must be assessed in three skill areas (reading, writing, and mathematics) by taking the TSI examination (within the last 5 years) and achieving the following scores:
TEXAS SUCCESS INITITIAVE ASSESSMENT (TSIA)
- Mathematics: College Ready if ≥ 350
- Reading: College Ready if ≥ 351
- Writing: Placement score of at least 340 and an essay score of at least a 4; or, a placement score of less than 340, and an ABE Diagnostic Level of at least 4, and an essay score of at least 5
TSIA: The TSIA exam prior to January 11, 2021.
TEXAS SUCCESS INITITIAVE ASSESSMENT 2.0 (TSIA2)
- Mathematics: College Ready if ≥ 950; or a score below 950 and a Diagnostic Level of 6
- Reading: College Ready if ≥ 945 on the ELAR section and an essay score of at least a 5; or, a score below 945 and a Diagnostic Level of 5 or 6 and an essay score of at least 5
- Writing: College Ready if ≥ 945 on the ELAR section and an essay score of at least a 5; or, a score below 945 and a Diagnostic level of 5 or 6 and an essay score of at least 5
TSIA2: An updated TSIA exam (TSIA2) launched on January 11, 2021 and took the place of the prior TSIA exam.
