TSI (Texas Success Initiative)

The TSI (Texas Success Initiative) is an assessment of basic Reading, Writing, and Math skills, for a high school graduate, that is mandated by the Texas Legislature prior to enrolling at a Texas public college or university.

This test does not have any effect on your admission to a university, it is a guide that colleges can use to place a student in the most appropriate college-level English, Math, and Writing classes based upon the skill of the student.

Popular TSI Questions:

What is the TSI Test?

The TSI (Texas Success Initiative) is actually not a test but a group of standards that are used to test college readiness. The tests measure a student’s proficiency in English, Math, Reading, and Writing at the college level by using scores from high school tests such as the SAT, ACT, and TAKS.

 What are the TSI tests I can take?

There are four TSI approved tests:  THEA, ACCUPLACER, ASSET, and COMPASS.

What are the differences between the tests*?

THEA

The Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) (the TASP Test, renamed) is a paper and pencil test made up of three parts: reading, mathematics, and writing. The reading section is made up of 35-40 multiple choice questions based on passages taken from college texts. The mathematics section is made up of about 50 multiple choice questions and covers four skill areas: fundamentals of mathematics, algebra (high school Algebra I), geometry (high school) and problem solving. The writing section is made up of two parts: a multiple choice section of about 35 questions, and a writing sample which requires the examinee to write an essay in response to a given prompt. The writing sample is the key determiner of whether the student passes or fails the writing section.

Passing scores for the THEA are:

    • Reading – 230
    • Mathematics – 230
    • Writing – 220
    • Written Essay – 6*

The THEA is administered statewide six times a year on predetermined dates. There is a campus-administered version of the THEA available for institutions to offer if they choose to, at times determined by the institution. Individuals with disabilities can request special testing accommodations for either of these test offerings. The THEA Registration Bulletin has useful information about test content, test dates, sample items, requesting special accommodations and other information, and is available at high schools and at college testing centers. More information about the THEA, a practice test and online registration can be found at http://www.thea.nesinc.com

 COMPASS

The COMPASS is a computer-adaptive test offered by ACT. COMPASS offers placement and diagnostic testing in mathematics, reading, and writing. Computer adaptive tests differ from paper and pencil tests in several ways. A computer adaptive test adjusts the presentation of test questions according to the performance of the examinee so if the examinee gets the question right the computer will make the next question a harder one. Likewise, if the examinee misses the question the computer will make the next question an easier one. In this way the computer can quickly determine the examinee’s skill level. The Reading Skills test measures vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. The Algebra test measures high school Algebra I skills. The Writing Skills test measures the mechanics of writing as well as sentence structure, organization and spelling skills. The writing test also includes a writing sample which is the key determiner of whether the student passes or fails the writing section.

Passing scores for the COMPASS are:

    • Reading Skills – 81
    • Algebra – 39
    • Writing Skills (multiple choice) – 59
    • Written Essay – 6*

More information about COMPASS can be found at http://www.act.org/compass/

ACCUPLACER

The ACCUPLACER is a computer-adaptive test offered by The College Board. It is designed to provide placement and advising information for students entering college. It is a self-paced, untimed test given on a personal computer. There are three section of the ACCUPLACER used for TSI purposes. The Reading Comprehension test consists of 20 questions related to reading skills, such as identifying main idea and making inferences. he Sentence Skills test consists of 20 questions related to sentence structure and grammar. The Elementary Algebra test covers high school Algebra I skills. The writing portion tests Sentence Skills, which measures the examinee’s ability to correctly identify proper forms of written English. The writing test also includes a writing sample, which is the key determiner of whether the student passes or fails the writing section.

Passing scores for the ACCUPLACER are:

    • Reading Comprehension – 78
    • Elementary Algebra – 63
    • Sentence Skills (multiple choice) – 80
    • Written Essay – 6*

More information about the ACCUPLACER can be found at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer

ASSET

The ASSET is a paper and pencil test produced by ACT. Three parts of the ASSET are used to for TSI purposes. The Reading Skills section has 24 questions that measure reading comprehension as a product of skill in referring and reasoning. The test items require students to derive meaning by referring to what is explicitly stated and determining the meaning of words through context, and by reasoning to determine implicit meanings and to draw conclusions, comparisons, and generalizations. ASSET’s Elementary Algebra is used for TSI purposes and covers the skills learned in the first high school algebra course. The Writing Skills section of the ASSET consists of 36 items that measure the student’s understanding of the conventions of standard written English in punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style. The writing test also includes a writing sample which is the key determiner of whether the student passes or fails the writing section.

Passing scores for the ASSET are:

    • Reading Skills – 41
    • Elementary Algebra – 38
    • Writing Skills (multiple choice) – 40
    • Written Essay – 6*

More information about the ASSET can be found at http://www.act.org/asset/ 

 Scoring the Writing sections of all tests

All tests used for the Texas Success Initiative assess a student’s ability to write, and all tests have a written essay and a multiple choice section. Students with an essay score of 6 or higher pass the writing test regardless of their score on the multiple choice section of the writing test. Students with a score of 4 or lower on the essay fail the writing test regardless of their score on the multiple choice section. If the essay score is 5, then the equivalent of 70 percent of the multiple choice questions must be answered correctly in order to pass the writing section. A score of 5 with less than 70 percent of the multiple choice questions answered correctly is not passing. With this in mind, it is important for the examinee to know that they must do their best to produce a good essay, but to not ignore the multiple choice section because those answers may help them to pass the writing section if their writing skills are borderline.

(*This information was taken from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website, found here:THECB Information on TSI Test )

 Can I be exempt from the TSI test?

Yes, you can be exempt if you meet any of the following criteria:

SAT Exemptions

If the student scores a 1070 on the SAT with a minimum score in Critical Reading and Math of 500 (no writing score included), they are exempt from the TSI Test.

 Partial Exemptions for the SAT:

If your combined score (no writing) is at least 1070 and you scored no less than 500 on the CR portion of the SAT , but below 500 on the  Math section, you will have to take the TSI Math test.

For example:

SAT Scores: 650 Math (M), 450 Reading (CR) = 1100 Composite Score

While the total SAT score is 1100, the CR score was below 500 and the student would have to take the TSI Reading test.

SAT Scores: 450 Math (M), 650 Reading (CR) = 1100 Composite Score

While the total SAT score is 1100, the Math score was below 500 and the student would have to take the TSI Math test.

SAT Scores: 450 Math (M), 490 Reading (CR) = 940 Composite Score

The student scored below 500 on both sections and the composite score is below 1070, so the student would have to take both sections of the TSI test.

ACT Exemptions

If the student scores a 23 composite on the ACT, with an English and Math score of 19 they are exempt from the TSI test.

Partial Exemptions for the ACT:

If your composite score (no writing) is at least 23 and you scored no less than 19 on the Reading portion of the ACT, but below 19 on the Math section, you will have to take the TSI Math test.

For example:

ACT Scores: Math = 25, Reading = 15, Composite Score = 23

While the total ACT score is 23, the CR score was below 19 and the student would have to take the TSI Reading test.

ACT Scores: Math = 15, Reading = 25, Composite Score = 23

While the total ACT score is 23, the Math score was below 19 and the student would have to take the TSI Math test.

ACT Scores: Math = 15, Reading = 12, Composite Score = 17

The student scored below 19 on both sections and the composite score is below 23, so the student would have to take both sections of the TSI test.

TAKS Exemptions

If your student scores at least 2200 on the Math and Reading portions of the TAKS and has a Writing section sub-score of 3, they are exempt from the TSI.

Partial Exemptions for the TAKS:

TAKS Scores: Math = 2200, Reading 2200, Writing Sub-Score 2

The student scored below a 3 on the writing section, so the student would have to take the Reading and Writing section of the TSI test, even though they scored a 2200 on the Reading section. In order to be exempt from the Reading, the student must have a 3 writing score and a 2200 on the Reading section.

TAKS Scores: Math = 2200, Reading 2100, Writing Sub-Score 4

The student scored below a 2200 on the Reading section, so the student would have to take the Reading and Writing section of the TSI test, even though they scored a 4 on the Writing section.

 TAKS Scores: Math = 2100, Reading 2200, Writing Sub-Score 4

The student scored below a 2100 on the Math section, so the student would have to take the Math section of the TSI test. The student will be exempt from the Reading and Writing portion since they scored above a 2200 and had a writing score of 4.

All test scores must be sent on an official transcript from the Registrar’s Office. Copies, faxes, scanned/email documents are not official and will not be accepted by the University or College.