Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA/TSIA2)
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA or TSIA2) is the state-mandated placement test (Texas Education Code §51.3062) that Texas public institutions must use to determine a student's readiness for college-level courses. The purpose of the TSIA test is to provide you with useful information about your academic skills in math, reading, and writing. You cannot "pass" or "fail" the placement tests, but it is very important that you do your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with your academic background, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisors to determine your course selection and where you will be most successful.
The TSIA2 consists of TWO sections:
- ELAR (English Language Arts and Reading) Section: contains multiple choice questions and a possible essay.
- Math Section: contains multiple choice questions
TSI PRE-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY (PAA)
The TSIA2 Pre-Assessment will discuss the content and importance of the TSI Assessment, exemptions, provide sample questions, testing details and support, and more. It must be completed by all test-takers prior to taking the TSIA exam. McLennan Community College is required by Rule §4.55.b of the Texas Administration Code to document your participation in the TSIA2 Pre- Assessment prior to taking the TSIA2 exam.
After completing the PAA, check your email for your PAA completion certificate. Email your certificate to testingservices@mclennan.edu or print it and bring it to your testing appointment.
EXEMPTIONS
Students may possibly be exempt from taking the TSI for the following reasons:
- The student has achieved high ACT, SAT, GED, HiSET, TAKS, or STAAR scores
- Copy of scores on an official transcript or official score report is required
- The student is seeking a Level – 1 Certificate
- The student has graduated with an associate degree or higher. If the degree was earned outside of the United States, an evaluation of the transcript or diploma must be submitted to determine if it meets exemption criteria. MCC requires evaluations be conducted by a National Association of Credit Evaluation Services member, naces.org
- The student is active duty or retired military
- The student successfully completed a college preparatory course
For more detailed exemption requirements for the TSIA2
EXAM FEE
$21.00 (plus $3.50 service fee) - Entire TSIA2 Assessment
$17.50 (plus $3.50 service fee) - ELAR Multiple Choice or Essay and Math
$17.00 (plus $3.50 service fee) - ELAR only (Multiple Choice & Essay)
$13.50 (plus $3.50 service fee) - Essay only or ELAR Multiple Choice only
$14.00 (plus $3.50 service fee) - Math only
For TSIA/TSIA2 Retest Scenarios and Option
WHAT TO BRING ON TEST DAY
A valid, unexpired photo ID is required for all testing. Acceptable forms of government-issued IDs include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID, national ID, tribal ID, naturalization card, certificate of citizenship, or permanent resident card (Green Card). A photo or photocopy of an ID is not acceptable. Photos must be clear and recognizable. Student IDs are acceptable for the following exams: ALEKS Exam, MCC Course Exams, Correspondence Exams, and TSIA2.
Do not have a valid, unexpired photo ID, then you may complete the ACCUPLACER Student ID Form.
Calculators will be provided on the computer within the exam.
SCORES
You will receive a copy of your score report upon completion of your exam. If you have taken the TSI Assessment within the last 5 years at another testing site and have not submitted those to MCC, please complete the form below so we can try to locate your previous scores.
The college will use the following minimum TSIA/TSIA2 cut scores to determine a student's readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework. TSIA & TSIA2 scores are valid for five (5) years from the date of testing.
| Instrument | State English Language Arts & Reading Cut Scores | State Math Cut Scores | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
TSIA2 (Current exam) |
945-990 with an Essay of 5-8 or 910-944 with a Diagnostic Level of 5-6 & an Essay of 5-8 |
950-990 or 910-949 with a Diagnostic Level of 6 |
|
| Instrument | State Reading Cut Scores | State Writing Cut Scores | State Math Cut Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
|
TSIA (Prior to 01/11/2021) |
351 or above |
5 or higher on the Writeplacer with any score on the writing placement exam or 4 on the Writeplacer with a 340 or higher on the writing placement exam |
350 or above |
TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS
Testing Services works closely with Accommodations (Disability Services) to provide services for students with ADA accommodations. Testing candidates requiring testing accommodations must register first with Accommodations. The registration process with Accommodations should be done in a timely manner to allow enough reasonable time for Testing Services to prepare all testing accommodations.
Once testing accommodations have been approved, the student must inform Testing Services of his or her approved testing accommodations, so their RegisterBlast account can be appropriately set-up prior to registering for an exam. Students who do not follow these steps run the risk of not having their testing accommodations for that exam.
See the Requesting Accommodations webpage for process information. See webpage for ACT, SAT, CLEP, and HiSet for information on how to request accommodations for these exams.
FOR STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY:
Your college or university must submit a Letter of Accommodation to Testing Services before any testing accommodations will be provided. Email to testingservices@mclennan.edu or fax to 254-299-6200 Attn: Testing Services.
Note: Any student who has approved accommodations and who cannot see or select their approved testing accommodation when registering for an exam should contact Testing Services immediately and prior to registering for any exams.