University of Texas Arlington

Texas Success Initiative

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

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

Meeting TSI requirements are required for enrollment. Any assessments that may be required are used for placing students in the appropriate coursework, not for admission purposes.

Am I Exempt?

You are exempt if you

• Meet qualifying standards on certain tests (Note: TAKS 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 the following:
  • TAKS (exit-level)
    • For TSI Writing AND Reading Requirements: Essay score of 3 (may have to provide student score report to be exempt) AND a 2200 on English Language Arts section
    • For TSI Math Requirement: 2200 on Math section
  • SAT
    • For TSI Writing AND Reading Requirements: A combined score of 1070 (Critical Reading Section + Math Section) with a 500 on the verbal (Critical Reading) section from the same test date.
    • For TSI Math Requirement: a combined score of 1070 (Critical Reading Section + Math Section) with a 500 on the math section from the same test date. Note: This also applies to the new SAT
  • ACT
    • For TSI Writing AND Reading Requirements: A composite score of 23 with a 19 on the English section from the same test date
    • For TSI Math Requirement: a composite score of 23 with a 19 on the Math section from the same test date
• Are a student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education. This degree must be a degree recognized as transferrable by the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration.
• 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.. Note: This provides only a temporary exemption for each term while serving on active duty status. How do I provide documentation for this exemption?
• Have been honorably discharged, retired or released from 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. 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?

UT Arlington requires incoming students who are not exempt to take the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), Accuplacer, Asset, or Compass test. UT Arlington Testing Services offers the THEA Quick Test and Accuplacer tests on campus. Below, see more information about providing official scores for the Compass or Asset test.

If you took THEA or THEA Quick Test and did not have the scores sent to UT Arlington, 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 UT Arlington 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, or ACCUPLACER. All these tests are accepted by UT Arlington.

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 UT Arlington Office of Admissions.

What Are Passing Scores?

* 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 a TSI-approved assessment, you are required to enroll in developmental coursework for the failed areas. You should speak with your advisor to ensure that you are enrolled in the right courses. Developmental courses are not required during Maymester, Winter Term or Summer II.

Who Can I Contact with Questions?

University Advising Center (UAC office: 817-272-3140) www.uta.edu/uac

• Basic questions about passing scores, exemptions, developmental courses required, and registration
• Do I need to take a TSI-approved test?
• All military exemptions
• Special circumstances

Testing Services (817-272-2362) www.uta.edu/testing

• How, when, and where to take the THEA Quick Test or Accuplacer

Admissions Evaluators (817-272-6287)

• Transfer of coursework
• Completion of THEA, Accuplacer, Asset, or Compass at another Texas state university or community college

This Web site provides specific information about the Success Initiative program at UT Arlington only. For more information, contact the University Advising Center.

Transfer Credit Exemption

If you have transferred to UT Arlington from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education (including international institutions) and have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework, you could be exempt from part or all of the Success Initiative requirement.

Final approval of this type of completion is determined by Admissions evaluators from an official transcript. For questions about this area of exemption, contact the Office of Admissions, Records & Registration at 817-272-6287 (MAVS).

Writing

You might be exempt from the Writing section if you have achieved a grade of C or higher in ENGL 1301, 1302; any 4 credit hour course with similar requirements; or two, 2 credit hour courses with similar requirements from an institution on the quarter system.

Reading

Completion in Reading is fulfilled with a grade of C or higher in any Literature, World or US History, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy or courses for which these are a pre-requisite.

Math

Completion in Math is fulfilled with a grade of C or higher in College Algebra or any course for which this is a pre-requisite.

This Web site provides specific information about the Success Initiative program at UT Arlington only. For more information, contact the University Advising Center.

Military Exemption

You may be exempt from the Success Initiative if you are:

• A student who is 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 has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment. Documentation required for this exemption is a letter from your CO showing at least three years of active duty service to the office below.
• A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. Each student meeting this requirement must provide official documentation in the form of a DD214 "Long Form" to:

University Advising Center
Box 19196
Arlington, TX 76019

105 Ransom Hall
817-272-3140

This Web site provides specific information about the Success Initiative program at UT Arlington only. For more information, contact the University Advising Center.