The TSIA (Texas Success Initiative Assessment) (2024)

The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is the result of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) mandated by the Texas State Legislature. The assessment is designed to guide Texas public institutions of higher education in helping them determine whether students are ready forentry-level college coursework in the areas of English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) and mathematics.Students are exempt from this assessment if they meet college readiness benchmarks on the SAT, ACT, STAAR English III or Algebra II EOCs, or successfully complete the high school College Preparatory Course. Click here for a complete list of TSI exemptions. TSIA scores and exemptions are valid five years from the date an assessment was taken documenting benchmarks were met.

Students who do not meet a TSI exemption must take the TSI assessment before college enrollment. Students who do not meet one or more of the established TSI benchmarks are admitted, however, they are required to receivedevelopmental education academic supportas determined by the institution.

For additional information, read theTSI Statute(Sec. 51.333) andTexas Administrative Code Rules for TSI, RULE §4.54.

What are TSIA Benchmarks?

Students scoring at or above the benchmarks are considered “college ready” and eligibleto enroll in any entry level college course (for example, English composition, history, government, or college algebra) without remediation. Some college level courses require passing scores in more than one area.

Below are the TSIA benchmarks that are valid 5 years from the date the benchmark was met.

TSI Initial assessment benchmarks: Assessments taken before1/11/21.

• Mathematics: a minimum score of 350
• Reading: a minimum score of 351
• Writing: a minimum score of 340 on the multiple-choice section with an essay score of 4-8 or a scoreless than 340on the multiple-choice section,a diagnostic level of 4-6, andan essay score of 5-8

TSIA2 revised assessment benchmarks: tests taken on or after 01/11/21:

• Mathematics: a minimum score of 950 or less than 950 and a diagnostic level 6
• ELAR (English language arts, writing and reading): a minimum score of 945 on the multiple-choice section with an essay scoreof 5-8, orless than 945on the multiple-choice section,a diagnostic level of 5 or 6, andan essay score of 5-8

A student shall be exempt from taking the TSIA if the student met the following benchmarks before 2/15/23:

• scored an ACT college prep assessment composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test. With these scores, the studentshall exempt both Reading and Writing sections of the TSIA.
• scored an ACT college prep assessment composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the mathematics test.With these scores, the studentshall exempt the Math section of the TSIA.
• taken the SAT administered March 2016 and later and earneda minimum score of 530 in Mathematicsshall exempt the Math section of the TSIA.
• servedfor at least 3 years preceding enrollment, is aveteran, on active-duty, ora student who isor has served as a member of a reserve component of the U.S. armed services.
• transferred from another institution having satisfactorily completed college-level coursework; or
• enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level One certificates) at a public institution.

A student shall be exempt from taking the TSIA if the student meets the following benchmarks on or after2/15/23:

• 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 Assessment.
• A score of 22 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. There is no composite score.
• The use of scores from both the ACT administered prior to February 15, 2023, and the ACT administered after February 15, 2023, is allowable, as long as the benchmarks set forth in the first two bullets of this list are met.
• taken the SAT administered March 2016 and later and earneda minimum score of 530 in Mathematicsshall exempt the Math section of the TSIA.
• taken the SAT administered March 2016 and later and earneda minimum score of480 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test for an exemption in the reading and writing sections of theTSIA.
• servedfor at least 3 years preceding enrollment, is aveteran, on active-duty, ora student who isor has served as a member of a reserve component of the U.S. armed services.
• transferred from another institution having satisfactorily completed college-level coursework; or
• enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level One certificates) at a public institution. StudentAccess to TSIA Scores

A student can access their TSIA scores with an account in theTSIA2 Student Portal.

Resources for TSIA2

• Student Informational Brochure (PDF)

• Interpreting Your Scores (PDF)

• Mathematics Sample Questions

• English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) Sample Questions

• Essay (WritePlacer) Samples

• TSIA2 Learning Resources

• TSIA2 Student Portal Link

• TSIA2 Accommodations Guidelines

• TSIA2 MathematicsTest Specifications (v1.4)

• TSIA2 ELAR Test Specifications (v1.4)

• TSIA2 Learning Resources Webinar and Live Demonstration

• Standalone Retest Options for ELAR Tests (CRC and Essay)

• Use of Essay Score in Determining College Readiness with TSIA and TSIA2 score profiles

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