TSI Exemptions

Students who meet one of the following conditions are exempt or partially exempt from taking an initial assessment test.

In each case, Texas State must receive official proof in order to process the exemption. ACT, SAT, or TAKS scores must be part of the student's Texas State record. Official score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions (these scores may be submitted on your official high school transcript); Previous course work must have been transferred to Texas State.

• For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who performs at or above the following standards:
  
  
  • ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test (will satisfy both reading and writing TSI requirements) and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt from those corresponding sections;
  • SAT: a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal test (will satisfy both reading and writing TSI requirements) and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt from those corresponding sections.
• For a period of three (3) years from the date of testing, a student performs on the Eleventh grade exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a  minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section plus a minimum score of 3 on the writing composition will be exempt from those corresponding sections.

* A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning whose accreditation is recognized by SACS(Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).

* A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-one certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent).

* A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.

* A non-degree seeking student.

* A student who is serving on active duty as a 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 United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.

* 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 member of a reserve component of the United States.

TSI Credit for Private or Out of State College Work

Students who have never attended a public college in Texas may receive credit for some parts of the initial assessment test by having earned an A, B,or C in certain courses taken from their former institutions. These courses are shown in the table below. The coursework must have been transferred to Texas state and appear on the student's Texas State transcript. The student is required to take any remaining part of the assessment test prior his/her first day of classes at Texas State. Please note: courses that transfer as elective non-advanced (ELNA) or elective advanced (ELADV) may not be used to meet the TSI requirements.

TSI Remediation Requirements

Non-exempt students who fail a part of the initial assessment test are required to complete an individualized developmental education program under the supervision of the TSI office. The program may require enrollment in developmental courses (Reading 1300, English 1300, and/Math 1300/1311), and/or participation in lab-based remediation. Students are also blocked from taking certain courses until the developmental program in the area of deficiency is completed (see table below). Omitting a part of the test is considered a failure of that part.