TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE
PROGRAM & REQUIREMENTS
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program which was developed by the 78th Texas State Legislature under which all undergraduate students, who are not exempt, are required to take one of the following assessment tests to demonstrate their level of college readiness in math and English: THEA (formerly TASP), Accuplacer, Asset, or Compass
The basic skills tested are reading, writing and mathematics. The writing component includes an essay. Students who fail a section of a TSI test are required to enroll in a developmental course(s) in that area.
IMPORTANT! Students who do not have test scores on file will not be allowed to attend orientation or register, unless exempt. Therefore, prospective students should provide proof of an exemption or schedule to take an approved TSI test as soon as possible so that scores will be available in time for orientation and registration.
Check your specific TSI status on WebWorld: Current MSU students and newly admitted students can check their TSI status on WebWorld. Login using your Mustangs ID and PIN, then click on Student, Student Records, then View TSI, Drop Limit and Core Curriculum.
NEW -- TSI changes will occur over this next year; however, we are waiting for certain details to be decided by the state. It will be especially important for new Fall 2013 students to apply and provide necessary credentials by the application deadline. Please check this MSU TSI webpage for up-to-date information as we receive it.
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Score interpretation – passing levels |
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Exemptions |
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THEA Test Dates |
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Accuplacer Test Dates |
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Developmental Requirements |
| Retesting Rules – Who must retest? |
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TEST |
PASSING SCORE LEVELS |
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THEA |
Reading - 230 Mathematics - 230* Writing - 220 *270 or higher required for college-level math. Scoring between 230-269 will require MATH 1003 - Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite. |
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ACCUPLACER |
Reading - 78 Elementary Algebra - 63* Written Essay - 6 (or 5 essay with an 80 on Sentence Skills) *90 or higher required for college-level math. Scoring between 63-89 will require MATH 1003 - Interemediate Algebra as a prerequisite. |
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ASSET |
Reading - 41 Elementary Algebra - 38* Written Essay - 6 (or 5 essay with 40 on Writing Skills) *MATH 1003 - Intermediate Algebra required as a prerequisite. |
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COMPASS |
Reading - 81 Algebra - 39* Written Essay - 6 (or 5 essay with 59 on Writing Skills) *MATH 1003 - Intermediate Algebra required as a prerequisite. |
-- Midwestern State University is an official testing site for the THEA and Accuplacer tests.
-- Students taking the THEA should include MSU on their form as one of the institutions to which scores are sent.
-- Students taking the Accuplacer at MSU should ask the Testing Office to send their scores to the MSU Registrar's Office.
-- Students taking the Accuplacer, Asset, or Compass tests at any other college or university will have to request through that institution that an official copy of their scores be mailed to the MSU Registrar's Office.
Student copies and faxes are not considered official. Scores must be mailed directly to MSU from the issuing institution.
-- Students who need to take a last-minute TSI test, should ONLY take the Accuplacer, not THEA. Scores may not be available from the THEA in time for registration.
TSI EXEMPTIONS: Students are exempt from TSI requirements if they meet any of the following:
1. ACT composite* score of 23 or higher, with individual math and/or English scores of no less than 19. ACT scores can be no more than five years old. (Meeting the composite and English scores will exempt students from both the reading and writing sections of TSI.) Students are responsible for taking a TSI test in areas from which they are not exempt.
2. SAT combined* score of 1070 or higher, with at least 500 math and/or reading (former verbal section). SAT scores can be no more than five years old. Residual SAT cannot be used for TSI exemption. (Meeting the combined and reading scores will exempt students from both the reading and writing sections of TSI.) Students are responsible for taking a TSI test in areas from which they are not exempt.
* The writing components of the ACT/SAT tests are not currently used in determining TSI exemptions.
3. Eleventh grade exit-level TAKS scores of 2200 or higher on math and/or 2200 or higher in English Language Arts with a writing composition rating of at least 3. TAKS scores can be no more than three years old. (The exit-level TAKS is a test given in Texas Public High Schools since Spring 2004.) [Note: The English Language Arts and written composition sections must be met together -- if neither or only one area is met, student must take both the reading and writing sections of a TSI test.]
4. Students who have an associate or bachelor's degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university. (Also see placement testing requirement.)
5. Military Service:
(a) Students who are serving in the state of Texas as active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States are TSI exempt. Official documentation of active duty status for the enrollment period is required. Students must file a Verification of Active Duty form each semester which can be obtained in the Base Education Office. (Also see placement testing requirement.)
(b) Students who are on active duty in the Texas National Guard are TSI exempt. A verification letter from the Unit Administrator, is required each semester. (Also see placement testing requirement.)
(c) Students who are members of a reserve component of the armed forces for at least 3 years preceding enrollment are TSI exempt. A verification letter from the Unit Administrator, is required each semester. (Also see placement testing requirement.)
(d) Students who on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces, Texas National Guard, or member of reserve component are TSI exempt. A copy of the DD214 form showing this status is required. (Also see placement testing requirement.)
6. Students who are transferring to MSU from a private or out-of-state, regionally accredited, college or university may meet sections of the Texas Success Initiative based on a grade of C or better in courses that are equivalent to the following courses at MSU: (Note: Transcripts should be submitted to MSU as soon as possible. Official evaluation must be completed to determine course equivalencies before a TSI waiver will be granted.)
Writing*:
ENGL 1113, 1123 - Rhetoric & Composition
Reading*:
ECON 1333, 2333, 2433 - General, Macro, or Micro Economics
ENGL Literature (American, British, World)
ENGL 1113, 1123 - Rhetoric & Composition
HIST 1133, 1233 - United States History
HIST 1333, 1433 - Western Civilization
POLS 1333, 1433 - American Government
PSYC 1103 - General Psychology
SOCL 1133 - Introduction to Sociology
Mathematics*:
MATH 1053 - Contemporary Math
MATH 1203 - Math Analysis for Business
MATH 1233 - College Algebra
MATH 1433 - Trigonometry
MATH 1534 - Precalculus
Or courses for which these are prerequisites.
*Some international courses may not meet these requirements. The International Services Office will inform students of their TSI statuses once transcripts have been evaluated.
Students who believe they meet one of the exemptions, should be sure that the appropriate test scores/transcripts are submitted to MSU as soon as possible.
Students previously considered TASP or TSI exempt/complete from another Texas state institution will not have to meet TSI requirements; however, all course prerequisites must be met.
THEA TEST DATES:
The MSU Office of Testing offers a Quick THEA test each Wednesday beginning at 12:00 noon.
Other Quick and regular THEA dates are offered, please visit the Testing website for additional information.
- Arrive 15-20 minutes early.
- Bring valid picture I.D. and sharpened pencils.
- Bring check or money order (payable to NES) or VISA / MasterCard for $29.00 (note: cash is not acceptable).
- Four function calculators (with percent & square root keys) are allowed for the math section; however, scientific and programmable calculators are prohibited.
- Due to temperatures varying, it is recommended you bring a light jacket or sweatshirt.
- Dates, times, and rooms are subject to change. Please contact Testing Services at (940) 397-4676 to confirm any test which you are interested in taking.
Click here to take a THEA Practice Test. Students can also contact the Academic Success Center at 940-397-4684 for information regarding assistance in preparing for the THEA test.
Taking any THEA test during the week of orientation may require late registration and/or schedule changes. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to add additional courses once the designated registration dates have passed. Students needing to take a last-minute TSI test should take the Accuplacer instead. Please check with the Registrar's Office if you have questions.
For the regular, state-wideTHEA tests, pick up a THEA Test Registration Bulletin to mail in your registration by the stated deadline. You may pick these up at the MSU Testing Office or at your local college or university. You can also enroll via the internet at http://www.thea.nesinc.com/.
ACCUPLACER TEST DATES:
The Accuplacer is administered via appointment (regular office hours) in the MSU Testing Office. To schedule an appointment, call 940-397-4676.
For additional Accuplacer information, please visit the Testing website.
Taking any Accuplacer test during the week of orientation may require late registration and/or schedule changes. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to add additional courses once the designated registration dates have passed. Please check with the Registrar's Office if you have questions.
DEVELOPMENTAL REQUIREMENTS - courses required if a section of a TSI test is failing:
Reading: ENGL 1013 - Introduction to College Reading
Writing: ENGL 1003 - Introduction to College Composition
Mathematics: Math 0003 - Beginning Algebra, then MATH 1003 - Intermediate Algebra.
Developmental enrollment in the deficient area(s) is required each semester and summer term. If a student has failed more than one section, it is recommended that developmental courses be taken in all respective areas; however, enrollment in at least one is required.
Once the student has passed the required developmental course(s) with a grade of C or better, they will have completed the requirements for the Texas Success Initiative.
RETESTING RULES – Who must retest?
A student may retake an assessment instrument at any time, subject to availability, to determine the student's readiness to perform freshman-level academic course work.
If students pass a retest, then they have completed that section of the TSI requirements. If they do not pass or do not attempt a retest, then the grades in their required developmental courses are reviewed. When students have passed the respective developmental course work with a grade of "C" or better, they will have completed that section of the Texas Success Initiative and will be released for college-level work in that area.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding the Texas Success Initiative requirements, please contact the MSU Office of the Registrar at 940-397-4320.
PLACEMENT TEST - IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY
The only students who are eligible to take the MSU Placement Test and are required to do so are the following groups who do not have transcripts on file indicating credit for college-level English and math, or certain test scores which meet prerequisites for reading, writing, and mathematics.
1. Students who were previously TASP exempt by "grandfathering" (3 college hours before 9-01-89) and enrolled by Fall 2003, must take the Placement Test if we do not have a transcript on file indicating credit for college-level English and math. (Note: This exemption can not be applied for students beginning in a Texas public college Spring 2004 or thereafter.)
2. Students who were previously TASP exempt by the recommended or advanced high school curriculum with a 3.5 gpa on a 4.0 scale. (Note: This exemption no longer exists for students beginning in a Texas public college Spring 2004 or thereafter.)
3. Students who have an associate or bachelor's degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
4. Students who are TSI exempt by any of the military exemptions.
Students who passed the Math TASP prior to 9-01-93, must also take the MSU math placement test unless transcripts are on file indicating college-level math credit.
The math section of the placement test will cover topics included in high school Algebra I and Algebra II. To do your best on that section of the test, you should review those topics prior to taking the test.
All other students must take an approved TSI test before orientation and registration, unless exempt.
There is no fee for the Placement test. Check with Testing Services at 940-397-4676 to schedule your exam.