Free TSI Testing
An application for admission is required for free testing.
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-required assessment of reading, writing, and math skills to help make sure that students are prepared for college classes. All new students must take the TSI test before registering for classes unless you are exempt or are “TSI-complete.”
Important Facts About the TSI Assessment
If you are taking the TSI Assessment for the first time, you must complete the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA). You only have to complete the PAA once.
There is no cost to take the TSI at ACC once you have completed your application for admission.
The TSI Assessment is NOT a pass or fail test and it does NOT prevent you from enrolling in college.
After taking the exam, you will receive a score report and a chart of what scores are considered college-ready. View TSI minimum scores.
Once you’ve taken the test and received your score report, you can work with an ACC advisor who will recommend courses you can enroll in to start your college career.
You do not have to take the TSI Assessment if you have done one of the following:
- Completed the SAT, ACT, GED, HiSET or other approved assessment exam with the minimum scores needed for TSI exemption.
- Earned a grade C or higher in a college-level course at an accredited institution. The course must be equivalent to an ACC course on the approved ACC TSI course list.
- Graduated college with an associate or bachelor’s degree.
- Previously attended any accredited Texas public institution of higher education and was determined by that institution to have met TSI college readiness standards in that specified TSI component area.
- Enrolled in a Level 1 waived certificate program and taking courses only in the certificate award plan.
- Are serving as an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the U.S.
- Were were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the U.S. or the Texas National Guard, or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the U.S., on or after August 1, 1990.
- Enrolled in ESOL (English as a Speaker of Other Languages) courses only. ESOL-only students are waived from the TSI exam. This waiver is removed after 15 credit hours are earned. ESOL-only students should take the ESOL Assessment instead of the TSI Assessment
The following tests can be used to exempt you from one or more parts of the TSI Assessment. Tests must have been taken within the previous five years.
Can I get accommodations for the TSI Assessment?
ACC’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Office can help with accommodations for the TSI Assessment.
Note: The TSI 2.0 is not timed. There also is a “save and finish” option that allows you to pause for breaks or pause the testing session so you can complete it on another day. If you choose this option, you must log back in and complete the Math and/or ELR sections within 14 days of pausing.
You must complete the essay portion of the assessment in one sitting; pausing to complete on another day is not allowed. The TSI 2.0 platform includes a virtual calculator with audio reader capabilities. It is available once you complete the initial “basic math facts” portion of the Math section.
Request TSI Assessment Accommodations
If you need additional accommodations, please contact the intake coordinator at [email protected].
If you need to take the TSI with accommodations for another college or university, please contact the Business Assessment Office ([email protected]).
What is the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)?
The PAA will help you understand:
- Why you are being tested.
- How the TSI works, including calculator and highlighter tutorials, plus practice test questions.
- How test results impact your college options.
- Resources available to you.
You only have to take the PAA once, even if you take the TSI multiple times.
After you have reviewed all PAA sections, you will receive an emailed Certificate of Completion. Save this email for your records, as you may need to show proof of completion to take the TSI.
Minimum Scores Eligible for TSI Assessment Exemption
| Test | Reading & Writing Exemption | Math Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| SAT (March 2016 and later) | 480 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 530 Math |
| ACT taken prior to February 15, 2023 | 23 Composite with 19 English | 23 composite with 19 Math |
| ACT taken on/after February 15, 2023 | Combined score of 40 on English and Reading | 22 Math |
| STAAR | 4000 on the English III (EOC) | 4000 on the Algebra II (E0C) |
| GED | 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) for the English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) exemption. | 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning |
| HiSET | 15 on the Reading subtest, a minimum score of 15 on the Writing subtest with a minimum score of 4 on the essay, for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) exemption | 15 on the Mathematics subtest Math exemption |
Please Note
- You may combine scores from ACT tests taken before and after February 15, 2023.
- Mixing or combining SAT scores from tests administered before March 2016 with those from March 2016 and later is not allowed.
- As of August 31, 2021, HiSET no longer administers tests in Texas. Therefore, any tests taken after August 31, 2021, cannot be used for the TSI exemption.
- The STAAR Algebra II and English III postsecondary readiness assessments are optional assessments for districts. Please verify with your local school district whether or not the assessment is offered.
Taking the TSI
Once you’ve completed the PAA, you’re ready to take the TSI Assessment. Here’s how to be the most successful and achieve the best outcomes.
Studying for the Test
The following resources will help you prepare for the TSI:
Test Day
Make sure you have the following with you when you take the exam at an ACC Assessment Center.
- A current government issued photo ID, or school issued photo ID, or an ACC photo ID. The photo ID MUST be a physical ID. If you do not have any type of picture ID, contact [email protected].
- Proof of completion for the Pre-Assessment Activity if this is your first time taking the TSI assessment.
The TSI Assessment Schedule
Find the test schedule that works for you. ACC offers TSI assessments at Testing Centers on every campus.
Virtual Remote TSI Testing
Please email [email protected] to request virtual remote testing.
TSI-complete Scores
You have completed Texas Success Initiative requirements for a subject area if you earn the minimum score listed below. This means you may enroll in any college level course as long as you meet the prerequisite requirements, unless the course is part of a program that has other admission requirements (Examples: Health Sciences, Culinary, etc.).
If you score below these levels, advisors will help you to determine the course or courses you can enroll in.
State-Approved Minimum Scores to be TSI-Complete, Effective January 11, 2021
| Assessment | English, Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) | Math |
|---|---|---|
| TSI | 945 and an essay score of 5 or higher or Less than 945 and a Diagnostic Level of 5 or more and an essay score of 5 or higher |
950 or Less than 950 and Diagnostic Level of 6 |
State-Approved Minimum Scores to be TSI-complete for Assessment Taken Before January 11, 2021
(Good for 5 years from date of exam, if presented for placement and enrollment at any college or university within 5 years of the test date.)
| Assessment | Reading | Writing | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSI | 351 | *5 or 4/340 | 350 |
*A placement score less than 340 and an ABE Diagnostic level of at least 4, and essay score of at least 5.
How to Submit Official TSI Assessment Scores to ACC
If you have taken the TSI Assessment within the last 5 years at a testing site outside of ACC, but within Texas, complete the Retrieve TSI Assessment Scores form.
Sending TSI Scores from ACC to Another College/University
If your college or university needs your scores from a TSI Assessment taken at ACC, submit the Request TSI Scores form.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
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