What is TSI?

TSI stands for Texas Success Initiative and is the standard by which Texas public post-secondary institutions evaluate a student's college readiness in reading, writing, and math.  In a nutshell, if a student is not what we deem as TSI complete, the college will assume a student is not ready to take on college-level coursework.  In turn, the college will require the student to take developmental coursework to build knowledge and skills.  This required developmental coursework costs money and prevents students from jumping right into courses that will apply toward the completion of a college degree.  If we can avoid this coursework by proving students are TSI complete, we most certainly want to!

Am I TSI Exempt/Complete?

There are several paths to meeting the TSI requirement. Note: Students can be partially complete in one content area (ex: Math, but not Reading/Writing) and can combine qualifying scores across tests listed here.

How does taking the TSI Assessment help me?

• Taking the TSI can save you money. By scoring high enough on this test, you may be able to bypass developmental courses when you start college.

• Taking the TSI can save you time. By being able to bypass developmental courses, you can go right into courses that apply to your degree.

• For prospective Dual Credit students, the TSI will allow you to take college-level courses.

What can I do if I am not TSI Complete?

Take the TSI Assessment

This is a test offered at LISD high school campuses and year round at ACC. You will only need to test in the area(s) in which you are not TSI complete. All students qualify for at least one free test administration through LISD.

To test on an LISD campus:

• 1. Complete the Pre-Assessment Activity

  2. Email the TSI PAA Completion form to document completion of the PAA (for LISD records)

  3. Register for a TSI test date offered at LHS. Also, you can register to take the assessment during non-school hours (Wednesday or Saturday).

To test on an ACC campus: 

Test at an ACC Assessment Center and follow their processes and applicable fees.

Take (or re-take) the SAT or ACT

Let me know if you have updated SAT or ACT scores that will qualify you as TSI complete. Then, be sure to send these scores to the college you plan to attend.

How can I send my TSI Assessment scores to the college I am attending?

• If you can submit your unofficial score report, please access here and save as a PDF to be able to upload/send to any institution.

• Dual Credit scores are submitted directly to the Dual Credit office by Mr. Nelson on behalf of students.

• The college may accept scores in a sealed envelope, but most will require you to complete a consent/authorization for them to retrieve the scores electronically through the online ACCUPLACER system:

  • • ACC's authorization form 

    • Sam Houston State University's authorization form

    • Tarleton State University's authorization form

    • Texas A&M University's authorization from

    • Texas State University's authorization form

    • University of North Texas (UNT) authorization form

    • University of Texas at Austin authorization form

    • University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) authorization form 

• Though very rare that a school would require official, scores be sent, students may request official score reports by completing this LHS TSI Score Report Request Form.