What is TSI?
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-legislated program that provides assistance with reading, writing and mathematics skills of students entering Texas public colleges and universities. The program consists of testing, placement and developmental education for students who do not pass one or more sections of the assessment. There are several testing options as well as exemptions and waivers outlined by the state mandate. Effective August 26, 2013 (based on House Bill 3468 - Texas College-Readiness Assessment and Placement) the new TSI Assessment WILL BE THE ONLY accepted placement exam and all prior test scores for students not enrolled will no longer be valid.
Prairie View A&M University will use the state approved TSI Assessment as the campus assessment tool for TSI. Before students are allowed to enroll at PVAMU they must have valid documentation on file for an exemption or they must have taken an appropriate placement test PRIOR to registering for New Student orientation and/or enrolling in any college level classes.
What Does TSI Mean For Me?
All incoming students who enroll in a Texas public institution are required to take the TSI Assessment to determine their readiness in the general areas of reading, writing and mathematics college level work. Based on how you perform, you may either be enrolled in a college-level course or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to prepare you for success in college-level courses.
Do I Have To Take The TSI Assessment?
Not all incoming students need to take the TSI Assessment. Several exemptions can be used to satisfy the TSI requirement. Qualifying for a TSI Assessment exemption means that you can enroll in any entry-level college course without restrictions.
If you have a question please contact us at (936) 261-3610 or via email at tsi@pvamu.edu.
All students entering PVAMU must complete the assessment test unless they meet one of the approved exemptions. A test exemption is a criteria that excuses you from taking the assessment test. These exemptions are from the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter C, Rule §4.54. Student must have valid documentation for a placement test exemption (see below) on file with the University Admissions Office.
Exemption 1:
A student is exempt from taking the TSI Assessment based on the following test scores (minimum) .SAT and ACT scores are only valid for 5 years from the date of testing and all requirements listed above must be met on the same test date. Students wishing to be exempt from the TSI Assessment must have the minimum SAT/ACT Combined/Composite scores above. You may be partially exempt if you meet the minimum Combined or Composite score AND the minimum Verbal or Math scores.
| Reading | Writing | Math | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STAAR (EOC) | ENG III (2200) | ENG III (2200) | ALG II (4000) |
| Combined/Composite | Verbal | Math | |
| SAT (Prior to March 2016) | 1070 | 500 | 500 |
| ACT | 23 | 19 | 19 |
| EBRW | Math | ||
| New SAT (On or after March 2016) | 480 | 530 |
Exemption 2:
You are exempt if you have met TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Requirements. If you have a transcript from an in‐state public institution that shows you met TSI (Texas Success Initiative) requirements, you do not need to take the assessment test.
Exemption 3:
You may be exempt based on previous college work. If you are transferring to PVAMU and have earned a grade of "C" or higher in certain college courses from an accredited college or University, you do not need to test.
| Reading | Writing | Math |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 1313 HIST 1323 POSC 1113 POSC 1123 PSYC 1113 |
ENGL 1123 ENGL 1133 |
MATH 1113 or higher |
Exemption 4: You are exempt if you have a college degree or certificate. If you have a college degree (associate degree or higher) or if you have taken a certificate program you are exempt from taking the exam.
Exemption 5:
You may be exempt if you are a veteran. Students who were honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty in the armed forces, the Texas National Guard or any reserve component of the armed forces, on or after August 1, 1990 may be exempt. A DD214 form showing honorable discharge status is required.
Military Waiver Students serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, Texas National Guard, or a member of the reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least 3 years preceding enrollment. A letter from the commanding officer is needed.
If you have a question please contact TSI Office at (936) 261-3610 or via email at tsi@pvamu.edu.
If you have taken the TSI assessment at another Texas institution, you would need to complete the Cross Institutional Reporting Form. If TSI Assessment was taken at different locations, a form needs to be filled out for each location.
If you have taken dual credit courses in high school, please complete the Dual Credit Form. You must have submitted an official college transcript to the university before this form can be processed by the TSI office.
Prairie View A&M University does not accept scores from students or institutions. ALL scores must be verified by the Testing Center or TSI Office before they go in the system.
If you have a question please contact us at (936) 261-3610 or via email at tsi@pvamu.edu.
Passing TSI Scores:
| Reading | Writing | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | 5 Essay OR 4 Essay w/ 340 MC | 350 |
Non-Passing TSI Scores:
Students who did not pass the TSI Assessment in one or more sections will be instructed to enroll in developmental co-requisite courses. These courses allow students to take college-level English or Math courses along with a 1-credit developmental course that aims to support students in their college English or Math course. With a final grade of “C” or higher in the college-level course, a student’s TSI status will be marked as complete and they will be able to enroll in courses that required a passing TSI status in that section.
Corequisite Courses:
Non-passing Math: MATH 1103 and Math 0321 or MATH 1113 and Math 0341 or PSYC 2613 and Math 0331
Non-Passing Reading and/or Writing: ENGL 1123 and ENGL 0111
If you have a question please contact us at (936) 261-3610 or via email at tsi@pvamu.edu.
The TSI Hold is a hold that delays registration for the upcoming semester. If a student has not either passed the TSI Assessment or successfully completed the co-requisite courses than this hold will remain on your account for every semester that these actions are not completed. All incoming and current students must contact their advisor in order to have the hold removed. Information on who you advisor is can be found on the Student-Success/Advising page.
The following are the options for students to retrieve their TSI scores:
- 1) TSI scores can be found on the students PVAMU transcript that they can order through Banner.
- 2) If student is transferring to another university: they should contact the Testing Services office (Testing or Assessment center) at the other institution and have them pull their TSI scores through Cross Institutional Reporting in Accuplacer.
- 3) Student must make an appointment and come in person to the Prairie View A&M University – Main Campus in Prairie View, Texas and retrieve the scores from the Testing Services office. Student must bring valid photo identification that has their full name and date of birth on it. Students can make an appointment by sending an email to aetesting@pvamu.edu.
If you have Prior Learning Assessment (Advance Placement, College Level Examination Program, DSST, and International Baccaulaurte) credit, you would need to ensure that your transcripts for those PLA programs have been sent to the university. For more information on PLA, click on this link: Prior Learning Assessment page.