Texas Success Initiative
In accordance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI), students are required to take an approved assessment test prior to enrolling in any Texas public college or university, unless they are exempt. Approved exams that test for basic reading, math and writing skills are the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), Compass, Accuplacer or Asset. Angelo State University administers the Accuplacer test for those who need to meet TSI compliance.
TSI was implemented to ensure that students enrolled in Texas public colleges and universities possess the necessary academic skills to succeed. TSI test scores are not used to determine admissions status; however, entering students must test before enrolling in college-level courses at any Texas public institution of higher education.
Read the information below to determine if you qualify for exemption, or answer a few quick questions to see if you are TSI compliant.
Exemptions
Tests That Qualify for Exemptions
The following scores on the exams listed below qualify students for exemption:
ACT: Composite score of 23 with a minimum score of 19 on the mathematics section and/or the English section. The exemption will be given for those sections only. (For example, if you score a composite 23 and have a 23 in math and an 18 in English, you would be exempt from the math portion ONLY of the TSI. Read the failure of TSI test sections information below to learn more.) Scores cannot be more than five years old and must be achieved in a single test session. DANTES ACT scores and RESIDUAL ACT scores can be used for TSI exemption purposes.
SAT: Combined score of 1070 (includes ONLY the critical reading/math score) with a minimum of 500 on each of the mathematics and verbal/reading tests. The exemption will be given for those sections only. (For example, if you score a composite 1070 and have a 590 in math and a 480 in verbal, you would be exempt from the math portion ONLY of the TSI. Read the failure of TSI test sections information below to learn more.) Scores cannot be more than five years old and must be achieved in a single test session.
TAKS: A minimum of 2200 on the mathematics section and/or a minimum of 2200 with a writing sub-score of at least 3 in the English/language arts section of the EXIT-LEVEL exam. The exemption will be given for those corresponding sections only. (For example, if you score a 2313 with a 4 sub-score on the English/language arts section and a 2199 on the mathematics section, you would be exempt from the reading and writing sections ONLY of the TSI. Read the failure of TSI test sections information below to learn more.)
Students must supply the writing sub-score to the ASU Admissions Office as this score is not included on high school transcripts.
Types of Students Who Qualify for Exemptions
Degree: A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education within the state of Texas.
Reserve: A student who is currently serving and, for at least the three-year period preceding enrollment, has served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. If you believe this exemption applies to you, please fill out the TSI Military Exemption Affidavit form.
Veteran: A student who on or after Aug. 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard, or was released from service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. If you believe this exemption applies to you, please fill out the TSI Military Exemption Affidavit form.
Active Duty: A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard. To receive the exemption from TSI, fill out the TSI Military Exemption Affidavit form.
Failure of One or Multiple TSI Assessment Test Sections
Students who have tested but have not attained the established minimum scores on one or more sections of the test are required by Texas law to obtain TSI advising and enroll in a formal program of skills development each semester until they have passed all sections of the test. Assigned skills development must be completed as a condition of enrollment.
Students who fail the reading and/or writing section of the TSI assessment test are required to enroll in English 130C, a developmental education course. Additionally, students who have not passed the reading section of the TSI will not be allowed to enroll in any English, history or political science courses. Those who fail the mathematics section of the TSI will be required to enroll in Mathematics 130A initially, and Mathematics 130B the following semester.
