Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

The Texas Education Code statute 51.3062, Success Initiative, effective September 1, 2003, requires the university to assess the academic skills of each degree seeking undergraduate student to determine the student’s readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework. The fee for the completion of the assessment instrument will be paid by the student.  The university will not use the assessment or the results of the assessment as a condition of admission to the institution.

It is required by the State of Texas to identify and prepare students whose basic skills in writing, reading, and/or mathematics are less than what is required to succeed in college level courses.  If a student is deficient in the academic areas of reading, writing, and/or mathematics it is required that there is constant student participation in developmental education classes while attending TAMUT. All non-exempt incoming students are required to complete the mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) and then take the TSI assessment before registering for classes.

Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)

Before taking the TSI Assessment, students must participate in the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA). Texas A&M University-Texarkana is required to provide the Pre-Assessment Activity as well as document your participation. You will not be allowed to take the TSI Assessment until you have completed this activity. The activity includes the following:

  • An explanation of the importance of the TSI Assessment
  • Practice test questions and feedback
  • An explanation of your developmental education options, if you do not meet the minimum passing standard; and
  • Information on campus and community resources to help you succeed as a college student.

TSI Exemptions and Exceptions

The following students shall be exempt from TSI developmental education requirements:

Students who test at or above the following standards valid five (5) years from the date of testing:

ACT: 

  • ACT administered prior to February 15, 2023: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test shall be exempt for both the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment, and/or 19 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment;
  • ACT administered on or after February 15, 2023: 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 clause (ii) of this subparagraph are met.

​SAT SCORES PRIOR TO MARCH 2016:

  • SAT combined critical reading and math score: 1070
  • Reading & Writing Exempt: minimum of 500 on critical reading
  • Math Exempt: minimum of 500 on the math test

SAT SCORES MARCH 2016 and on: 

  • Reading & Writing Exempt: minimum of 480 on Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW)
  • Math Exempt: minimum 530 on the math test;

Students who achieve the following minimum score on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) valid five (5 years from date of testing:

  • 2200 on TAKS Math and
  • 2200 on TAKS English/Language Arts with a writing sub score of at least 3;

STAAR end-of-course (EOC):

  • Reading & Writing Exempt:  minimum Level 2 score of 4000 on the English III
  • Math Exempt:  minimum Level 2 score of 4000 on the Algebra II EOC;

Students who have graduated with associate or baccalaureate degrees from Texas institutions of higher education

Students who transfer from private or independent institutions of higher education or accredited out-of-state institutions of higher education and who have satisfactorily completed college-level course work with a “C” or better in one course from each of the three areas listed below:

       Writing Exemptions:     ENGL 1301, 1302, 2321, 2322, 2323, 2331, 2332, 2326, 2327, 2328, 2341, 2342, 2343; HIST 1301, 1302, 2301, 2311

       Reading Exemptions:   HIST 1301, 1302; ENGL 1301, 1302, 2321, 2322, 2323, 2326, 2327, 2328, 2331, 2332, 2333, 2341, 2342, 2343; GOVT 2301, 2302, 2305, 2306; PSYC 2301, 2314; PHIL 1301, 2303, 2306; GEOG 1300, 1301, 1302, 1303; SOCI 1301, 1306; PSCI 2301; 2302

       Math Exemptions:  MATH 1314 or higher; PYSC 2317

Students who have previously attended any accredited Texas public institution and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution

Students who are serving on active duty as members of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as Members of reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States and have been serving for at least three (3) years preceding enrollment

Students who, on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as members of reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Students who took a high school equivalency exam

GED:

  • A minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test shall be exempt for mathematics
  • A minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test shall be exempt for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)

HiSET:

  • A minimum score of 15 on the Mathematics subtest shall be exempt for mathematics
  • A minimum score of 15 on the Reading subtest and a minimum score of 15 on the Writing subtest, including a minimum score of 4 on the essay, shall be exempt for English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)