Understanding the TSI Exam

• Colleges in Texas use the TSI exam for placement in college-level classes
• Your TSI exam score is not used for college admission purposes, only to determine what level of math and English you can take when you enroll
• If you pass one or both sections of the TSI (see scores below), you are considered "college-ready." This means you can go into a credit-bearing course when you enter college for the areas of math and/or English. 
• If you do not pass one or both sections of the TSI (see scores below), the college you attend will work with you to place you in a developmental course for a semester before entering a credit-bearing course.   

TSI Exemptions (i.e. you do not need to take the TSI and are considered "college-ready"):

• 23 or higher on the ACT composite and a minimum score of 19 on both the English and math tests

• SAT Reading and Writing minimum score of 480 and Math score of 530 (no combined score needed)

• English Section consists of reading passages/multiple-choice questions and an essay
• Math Section consists of multiple-choice questions 
• The test is untimed, but most students take about 2 hours for each section
• The test is taken on a district-issued laptop (to ensure a secure browser) and students receive their results immediately after submitting
• Students can retake the exam if they do not pass; however, it is strongly suggested that they review before the next exam via the Accuplacer website.

• 1.  Accuplacer Website (this is the best resource):

  • To create an account, click here.
  • Once you create an account/login, go to "Texas Success Initiative Assessments 2.0 (TSIA 2). You can choose "Learn as you go" which gives you immediate feedback or to take the practice test.

  2.  ACC Website

  3.  Sample Math Questions (with answers)    Sample English Questions (with Answers)

  4.  If you have already taken the exam: 

  • Request a copy of your scores from the GHS website below. At the bottom of your score report, there will be a customized code that will give you a review code based on your score
  • The code will appear on your score report under "TSIA 2 Learning Resources" and will say "Math Learner Locator Code: MATH##" or "ELAR Learner Locator Code: ELAR##"
  • Go to this website: https://tsia2.pearsonperspective.com/perspective/ and enter those unique codes for specific review. The math resources are much stronger than the English resources.

GHS students have two options to take the TSI Accuplacer:

1. You may register for the TSI (for free) at GHS.
   
   • Sign up here: GHS TSI Registration Form
   • The exam is proctored in person. 
   • The exam is not available during the summer at GHS. 
2. You may register to take the TSI (for a fee) at ACC.  
   • Follow these instructions on this website to sign up: https://www.austincc.edu/admissions/tsi-assessment. 
   • They proctor the exam remotely.
   • The exam is available year-round. 

Cost of exam at ACC:

English Exam: $20 

Math Exam: $10

Full Exam: $29

Essay only: $10 (this is for retest only)

 

If you have questions about testing at ACC, contact assessments@austincc.edu. 

Passing Scores for the TSI Exam:

• English  

         945-990 (Multiple Choice Section) AND Essay Score of 5-8  OR

         910-944 (Multiple Choice Section) AND Diagnostic Level 5-6 AND Essay of 5-8      

• Math

         950-990  OR

         910-944 AND Diagnostic Level 6

 

 

Retest Scenarios

English  

If you scored:

• 945-990 (on the Multiple Choice Section)  AND 1-4 (on the Essay Section)-->You can retake the Essay only  (On the retest: Student would need an essay score of 5-8 to be considered "college-ready")

• 910-944 (on the Multiple Choice Section)  AND 1-4 (on the Essay Section)  AND 5-6 (on the Diagnostic Level)-->You can retake the Essay only  (On the retest: Student would need an essay score of 5-8 to be considered "college-ready")

• 910-944 (on the Multiple Choice Section)  AND 5-8 (on the Essay Section)  AND 4 (on the Diagnostic Level)-->You can retake the Multiple Choice Section only   (On the retest: Student would need a 945-990 on the multiple-choice section or Diagnostic Level of 5-6 to be considered "college-ready")

Math

• If you do not pass the math section, you must retake the full math exam

Students can obtain a copy of their TSI Scores from the page below:

      https://studentportal.accuplacer.org/#/studentisrd

 

Once scores are sent to your email, open the document to view scores.

   -Click on "View Complete Report" to see full scores

   -Click on "Share Individual Score Report" to send a copy of your scores to colleges

 Video on how to access TSI Scores

More info here