Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE (TSI)
Students attending Texas public institutions of higher education must be in compliance with the
Texas Success Initiative (TSI), as of Fall 2003 (Texas Education Code §51.3062) in order to
enroll in public institutions of higher education. The law requires all entering college students to
be assessed for college readiness in reading, mathematics and writing unless the student
qualifies for an exemption. Each student who fails to meet the minimum passing standard of
the exam offered by the institution must be placed in a developmental education program
designed to help the student achieve college readiness.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which students must meet TSI?
Unless exempt, students who are entering a Texas college or university must meet TSI and
receive a passing score on an approved exam in order to enroll in credit bearing courses.
Students may meet TSI through an exemption by achieving any of the requirements below:
- ACT Exam: Achieve a composite score of 23 or higher with at least a 19 on both the
English and Math sections. - SAT Exam: Achieve a combined verbal and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500
on both the verbal test and math test. - TAKS Exam: Achieve a minimum score of 2200 on both the English and/or math sections
with at least a 3 on the writing component of the 11th grade TAKS
(for a period for 3 years from the date of testing). - Military: A student who is currently serving as 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; or a student who on or after
August 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
-service as a memeber of a reserve component of the armed forces of the
United States.
When do students meet TSI?
Students must meet TSI and have scores or an exemption on file before they can enroll in
college-level classes. Each college and university offers a different exam. A student must take
the exam required by the college or university he/she will be attending.
What exams are available to students to meet TSI?
The exams currently authorized to satisfy TSI are: ASSET, COMPASS, THEA, and ACCUPLACER.
What sections of the exam do I have to take?
To establish a status for TSI, you must have a test score in the reading, mathematics, and
writing sections of an exam. Please note that you must have a writing and essay score for the
Writing section of TSI. Please make sure you choose a testing center that provides both sections
PRIOR to testing.
What are the passing scores for each exam?
| ASSET | COMPASS | ACCUPLACER | THEA | |
| Reading | 41 | 81 | 78 | 230 |
| Math | 38 | 39 | 63 | 230 |
| Writing | 40 | 59 | 80 | 220 |
| Essay | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
An essay score of 5 on the ASSET, COMPASS, and ACCUPLACER exam will meet the minimum
standard if the student obtains the passing score of the writing portion of the exam.
The following exams offer multiple exams in mathematics. You must take the exam listed below.
This is the ONLY section that can be used to determine your TSI status for the mathematics section
of TSI. The THEA exam does not have multiple exams for the math section.
ASSET-Elementary Algebra
COMPASS-Algebra
ACCUPLACER-Elementary Algebra
Where can I take the exam?
testing.center@tamut.edu. Additional information, including hours in between
semesters, can be found on the Testing Center Website, http://tamut.edu/testing center/index.html.
What happens if I do not pass a portion or all parts of an exam?
Students who do not meet one or all parts (English, Mathematics, Writing & Essay) of TSI must enroll
in an appropriate developmental education course before the student may enroll in a credit bearing
course for the subject in which he/she did not meet state standards.
A student may retake an exam to determine the student's readiness to perform freshman-level
academic coursework. Please contact Pat Coats at (903) 334-6721 in University College for more
information on the Developmental Education Program