What is the Success Initiative?

The Texas Success Initiative has been developed by the state legislature to ensure student success at institutions of higher education. The two major steps of the program are:

• assessment of each student’s academic skills in Reading, Writing, and Math before enrolling and,

• advisement into appropriate developmental coursework for any academic skills that need improvement.

Am I exempt?

You are exempt if you:

• meet qualifying standards on certain tests (Note: TAKS and TAAS scores are valid for three years from the date of testing. SAT and ACT scores are valid for five years from the date of testing).  The minimum scores for these test exemptions are:

TAKS (exit-level) - Writing AND Reading: Essay score of 3 (may have to provide student score report to be exempt) AND a 2200 on English Language Arts section; Math: 2200 on Math section.
TAAS (exit-level) - a TLI math score of 86, a TLI reading score of 89, and a writing score of 1770.
SAT - Writing AND Reading: a combined score of 1070 with a 500 on the verbal (Critical Reading) section; Math: a combined score of 1070 with a 500 on the math section. Note: This also applies to the new SAT.
ACT - Writing AND Reading: a composite score of 23 with a 19 on the English section; Math: a composite score of 23 with a 19 on the Math section.

• have graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from a Texas public institution of higher education.

• transfer to a Texas public institution of higher education from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework. How will I know if I meet this exemption?

• are serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and have been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment or have been honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty. How do I provide documentation for this exemption?

• are not seeking a degree.

• are enrolled in a dual or concurrent credit course based upon tenth grade TAKS scores.

• have attended any Texas public institution of higher education and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.

If I'm not exempt which test should I take and when?

Taking the Texas Higher Education Assessment
UTA requires incoming students who are not exempt to take the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), formerly the TASP Test, offered by National Evaluation Systems. To find out more about THEA, go to www.thea.nesinc.com or the UT Arlington Testing Services website.

If you took THEA or Quick THEA (or TASP) and did not have the scores sent to UTA, let us know so we can retrieve the scores through National Evaluation Systems. The following offices can retrieve scores if the student signs a waiver to release scores to the University:

University Advising Center

Office of Admissions

Will UTA accept another college's assessment test?

If you attended a Texas public college for dual-credit while you were in high school or are transferring from a Texas public college, you were required to take one of the tests approved by The Higher Education Coordinating Board – THEA, ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER (or MAPS if taken before September 1, 2003.) All these tests are accepted by UTA.

Your scores should be listed on your college transcript. It is your responsibility to ask your community college/university to send an official transcript to the UTA Office of Admissions.

What are passing scores?

ASSET	Reading Skills	41
	Elementary Algebra	38
	Writing Skills (objective)	40
	Written Essay	6*
COMPASS	Reading Skills	81
	Algebra	39
	Writing Skills (objective)	59
	Written Essay	6*
ACCUPLACER	Reading Comprehension	78
	Elementary Algebra	63
	Sentence Skills	80
	Written Essay	6*
THEA	Reading	230
	Math	230
	Writing	220

* A 6 on the essay portion will fulfill the writing requirement without an objective score.  If the essay score is 5, the objective passing score is then used to determine completion of the writing portion.

What if I don’t pass?

If you do not pass a section of the THEA or alternative assessment, you are required to enroll in developmental coursework for the failed areas. You should speak with your advisor http://www.uta.edu/studentsuccess/advising.php to ensure that you are enrolled in the right courses. Development courses are not required during Maymester, Winter Term or Summer II.

Who should answer your question?

University Advising Center or Departmental Advisor (UAC office: 817-272-3140)
• Basic questions about passing scores, exemptions, developmental courses required, and registration
• Do I need to take THEA? 

Testing Services (817-272-2362)
• How, when, and where to take the THEA

Admissions Evaluators (817-272-6287)
• Transfer of coursework
• Completion of THEA at another Texas state university or community college

Janette Keen, THEA Liaison (817-272-3140)
• All military exemptions
• Special circumstances

Testing Availability for Out of State and International Late Arrivals

Students who prove entry into the state of Texas after the last Quick THEA test date can take Accuplacer through our Testing Services office. The Accuplacer will be provided on an as-needed basis prior to the first day of classes only to students enrolling in courses at UTA.

If you are a student entering the state or country on or after the last Quick THEA test date:

• Proof of entry must be proved by passport, visa, plane tickets or travel receipts.
• Bring documentation to Janette Keen (please call and make an appointment or to make sure I am in the office).
• Janette Keen will refer you to Testing Services to set up an Accuplacer test date.
• You will be able to register once scores are posted.

This website provides specific information for the Success Initiative program at UTA only.
For more information,
University Advising Center
Janette Keen
keen@uta.edu