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Texas Success Initiative Assessment
The Texas Success Initiative requires Texas public colleges and universities to determine if students are college-ready or if the student needs developmental coursework to strengthen academic skills to ensure college success. The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2) is a placement test that will test in the areas of ELAR (reading, writing) and Math. TSIA2 does not affect admission into college.
Who takes the TSIA2?
The TSIA2 is a series of placement tests for students enrolling in public colleges, including community colleges, and universities in Texas. Through the Texas Success Initiative, students are required to show college readiness. If students do not show college readiness, they are required to enroll in developmental courses to strengthen academic skills to ensure college success.
Students will be exempt from the TSIA2 if they have met college readiness standards on SAT, ACT, or satisfactorily completed college-level coursework. An institution may exempt an undergraduate student who has not met the college readiness standards if there is successful completion in college-level coursework in a related field using AP scores, IB scores and/or grades earned through dual credit.
Why is it important?
When do I take the TSIA2?
In Denton ISD, the TSIA2 is given to students in the 12th grade to provide the opportunity to complete the college-readiness requirement prior to graduation. Denton ISD seniors who have not met college-readiness standards will have the opportunity to take the TSIA2 in the fall and/or spring of their senior year on their home campus. The TSIA2 is free to Denton ISD senior students. The campus testing coordinator will contact students directly with more specific testing information. If you have questions, contact the Campus Testing Coordinator for more information about when the TSIA2 is administered or the campus Professional School Counselor.
Dual Credit students may also take TSIA2 to gain eligibility to take a dual credit course. Please check your campus dual credit website for more information regarding dual credit eligibility.
ELAR - 30 multiple choice questions
Reading-focused
Comprehension
Analysis of literary, informational, and argumentative text, including paired passages
Writing-focused
Measures skills in revision and editing sentences, paragraphs, and early drafts of an essay
ESSAY
300 to 600 words- random selected prompt
No access to a dictionary or other outside resources
Allowed scratch paper
Math- 20 multiple choice questions; embedded calculator.
Quantitative reasoning
Algebraic reasoning
Geometric and spatial reasoning
Probabilistic and statistical reasoning
ELAR
CRC 945-990 Essay 5-8
Or
CRC 910-944 AND Diagnostic Level 5-6; Essay 5-8
Students can meet college readiness on ELAR multiple-choice section and not on the essay or vice versa. Students would only need to retest the section they did not meet college readinessMath
CRC 950-990
Or
CRC 910-949 AND Diagnostic Level 6
*TSIA2 scores are valid for 5 years after the test date*
*CRC means college readiness classification*
Before taking the TSIA2 test, the student must participate in a mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA). The PAA is a study exercise that must be completed and will not be scored.
To complete the PAA sign up for an account or log in at Practice for Accuplacer.
The PAA will take at least 30 minutes.
Upon completion of the PAA, the student will receive an email containing a certificate of completion.
The student will need to bring their PAA, electronic or printed, on their test day.
In the Practice for Accuplacer portal, students will have access to the learn as you go or practice test in the format the test is given.
Additional study material:
How to use the calculator and highlighter on the TSIA2 test.
TSIA2 Learning Resources - click Enter Student Site
Post-test study material
After the test, if the student did not meet college readiness on the TSIA2, at the bottom of their score report will be a learning locator code. The student can utilize the learning locator code at TSIA2 Learning Resources to access specific materials targeted to the growth areas identified on their score report.
Once you have submitted your application to the college or university:
Visit the Accuplacer Student Portal to retrieve your TSIA2 scores and send your scores to another institution.
OR
Visit your Institution TSIA2 website to see if they utilize a Cross Institution Score Release Form. Contact their testing department if you have questions.
OR
Fill out Denton ISD TSIA2 Score Release - this is for graduated students who used their school email for the Accuplacer Student Portal and their Institution does not have options 1 or 2.
What if I tested at a different high school or college and need to send my scores to my current high school?
Send scores to Denton ISD via the Accuplacer Student Portal
OR
Fill out Denton ISD TSIA2 Cross Institution Request so Denton ISD can retrieve your scores.
TWU Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2) Information
In-person and virtual
Cost approx $33-$39
UNT TSIA2 Testing Information
In-person and virtual
Cost approx $33-$39
NCTC TSIA2 Testing Information
In-person and virtual
Cost approx $25-$43
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
My child was already accepted into a Texas public college or university. Do they still have to take the TSIA2?
Students can be accepted into college and not meet college readiness standards. Texas public colleges and universities require students to be TSIA2 complete or enroll in developmental courses that do not receive credit towards a degree.
How can my child be exempt from the TSIA2?
Students are exempt from theTSIA2 if they met college readiness standards on SAT, ACT, or satisfactorily completed college-level coursework. An institution may exempt an undergraduate student who has not met the college readiness standards if there is successful completion in college-level coursework in a related field using AP scores, IB scores and/or grades earned through dual credit.
Where can my child prepare for the TSIA2?
Before taking the TSIA2 test, the student must participate in a mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA). Please see above for more information on the PAA and preparing for the TSIA2.
My child is planning to attend college outside the state of Texas. Do they still have to take the TSIA2?
Check the attending college placement test requirements.
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