Testing Information

staar/eoc tests

What are STAAR/EOC Tests?

STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. High school students must take and pass certain required courses and the end-of-course exams for those courses. The assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the state curriculum standards.  The End-of-Course exams are designed to ensure that students are learning the specific course material and are prepared to succeed in college and/or careers.  

to access staar/eoc scores:

texas success initiative (TSi)

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 does the test cost?

Each non-graduating student can test through LHS 2 times for FREE. Graduating seniors have unlimited FREE attempts to take the TSI during their graduating year.

What can I do if I am not TSI Complete?

Take the TSI Assessment

This is a test offered on the LISD high school campus and year round at Junior Colleges in our area. 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 Mrs. Woodward your Completion form to document completion of the PAA (for LISD records)

  3. Register for a TSI test date offered at LHS. 

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.

What if I fail the test?

• First of all, there is no "pass" or "fail". You either meet standard and can bypass developmental courses, or you don't meet standard and are placed into Reading, Writing, and/or Math courses that match your skill level.

• Seniors can retest at an LISD high school campus for free, but must provide documentation that they have completed test remediation/preparation. Dual Credit students can retest at an ACC campus for a fee ($29 for full test or $10 per section). 

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.

• 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 

    • Blinn's authorization form

    • Sam Houston State University's authorization form

    • Tarleton State University's authorization form

    • Texas A&M University's authorization form

    • 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 from Mrs. Woodward in the LHS Library.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (Asvab)

ACT and sat

What are the SAT and ACT?

• The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and ACT (American College Testing) are both standardised tests used for college admissions in the US. They are designed to measure a student's readiness for college-level coursework. While both tests serve the same purpose, there are some differences in their structure and content. The SAT tends to focus more on vocabulary and abstract reasoning, while the ACT focuses more on grammar and punctuation. The math sections of both tests cover similar material, but the SAT includes more advanced topics such as trigonometry and higher-level algebra.

• Overall, the choice between the SAT and ACT often comes down to personal preference and the requirements of the colleges or universities to which you are applying. It's important for you to do your research and consider your own strengths and weaknesses before deciding which test to take.

SAT vs. ACT : Similarity

• The SAT and ACT have various similarities. They are widely recognised by colleges and universities as part of their admissions criteria and to decide on scholarship awards for prospective students.

• In terms of content, the SAT and ACT cover the same subjects, such as reading, writing, and math. The reading and writing sections on both tests are exclusively based on passages that evaluate your competency in crucial areas that reflect your college readiness.

• Furthermore, there is no penalty for incorrect or omitted answers on either test. Rather, both exams offer points for correct answers.

Why take the sat and act?

• Many colleges and universities require that you submit SAT or ACT scores when you apply for admission. However, there is a rising trend by several schools that make SAT/ACT score submissions "TEST OPTIONAL".

  1. What does TEST OPTIONAL mean? At its most basic definition, test optional means that you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission to a particular school. While you may submit test scores if you want, you are not actually required to do so. Your school will make its admission decision based on your application, transcript (course history, course rigor, GPA, grades), essay(s), if required, and letter(s) of recommendation. 

     1. 1. Most Texas universities have gone TEST OPTIONAL as of spring 2020. Incoming freshmen are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores to be considered for admissions. You will need to check your schools' admissions requirements to find out if SAT/ACT scores and SAT Subject Tests are required as part of their admission process. 

• It's good practice to take the ACT and/or SAT during your junior year.  If you aren't satisfied with your scores, it would benefit you to study and take practice tests over the summer and retake the test(s) in the fall of your senior year.  

• Some schools may require that you take a specific test (either ACT or SAT), so make sure to check the school's website before you register for testing; also find out if the school(s) to which you are applying require the Essay portion and/or Subject Tests

ACT and sat test prep tips

ACT and sat exam dates