TSI Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is TSI?

TSI (Texas Success Initiative) is a state law that requires all undergraduate, degree-seeking students at Texas public
colleges to show college-level readiness in English and Math.

 

Where can I view my TSI status after admission to UTA?

After admission to UTA, you can view your TSI status in MyMav (click the Admissions tile, then TSI status). Your TSI Overall Status will be listed, see Q3 below for TSI status definitions. If your TSI status is Liable or Not Complete, “No” will be indicated next to the subject area(s) if TSI hasn’t been met.

 

What does my TSI Overall Status mean?

TSI Overall Status	Action Required	Enrollment Impact
Liable	You must either show exemptions for TSI or take the TSI Assessment test prior to enrollment at UTA.	All enrollment prevented
Not Complete	You have taken the TSI Assessment test and have placed into developmental coursework. Retesting is optional	Enrollment into developmental coursework for Math and/or English, which must be taken during your 1st semester of enrollment at UTA
Complete	No action required	Enrollment allowed as advised by your academic advisor (TSI enrollment not required)

 What are approved TSI exemptions?

Exemption Type	Areas of exemption	Requirement of Exemptions	How to submit exemptions
ACT scores valid for up to 5 years	English (Reading & Writing)	Composite score >= 23 AND English score >=19	Student must send ACT scores from ACT to UTA
	Math	Composite score >= 23 AND Math score >=19
SAT scores valid for up to 5 years	English (Reading & Writing)	Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score >=480	Student must send SAT scores from the College Board to UTA
	Math	Math score >=530
STAAR scores valid for up to 5 years	English (Reading & Writing)	English III score >=4000	Student must submit high school transcript or official score report to UTA
	Math	Algebra II score >=4000
Texas College Bridge certificates valid for up to 2 years after high school graduation date	English (Reading & Writing)	Certificate earned for English prep course completion	Student must submit certificate(s) from GreenLight to UTA
	Math	Certificate earned for Math prep course completion
TSI Completion from Other Texas College	Reading	College deemed student Complete for TSI Reading	Student must submit official college transcript to UTA
	Writing	College deemed student Complete for TSI Writing
	Math	College deemed student Complete for TSI Math
Associate Degree or higher	All	Earned Associate degree or higher (equivalency cannot be used)	Student must submit official college transcript to UTA
Transfer Coursework	English (Reading & Writing)	C or better in 3-hour college-level course from accredited higher education institution in one of the following subjects: ANTH, ART, BIOL, BCMN, COMM, COMS, ECON, ENGL, GEOG, GOVT, HIST, PHIL, POLS, PSYC, SOCI or THEA	Student must submit official college transcript to UTA
	Reading only	C or better in 3-hour college-level course from accredited higher education institution in one of the following subjects: CHEM, DNCE, GEOL, HUMA, MUSI or PHYS
	Math	C or better in 3-hour college-level Math course from accredited higher education institution
Military – Active Duty or Honorable Discharge	All	At least 3 years of service completed in U.S. armed forces/reserve or Texas National Guard	Active Duty: Student must submit copy of official military document showing minimum 3 years of active service to tsi@uta.edu Honorable Discharge: Student must submit copy of DD 214 showing Honorable Discharge to tsi@uta.edu

 

What if I do not have exemptions for one or more areas of TSI?

You must take the relevant sections of the TSI Assessment test (English and/or Math based on your TSI Liable status) prior to enrollment at UTA.

 

When should I take the TSI Assessment test?

It is recommended that TSI testing is completed as soon as possible.

How/where can I take the TSI Assessment test?

UTA Academic Testing Services offers the TSI Assessment test in person, online, and remotely (student tests at non- UTA testing location). You can also contact your local Texas community college or high school for TSI testing availability.

 

What are the TSI Assessment test passing scores to be classified as TSI Complete?

TSIA2 (test date on or after January 11, 2021 – scores must be less than 5 years old)
Subject	Passing Score Option 1	Passing Score Option 2
English (Reading and Writing)	ELAR: 945 or higher and Essay: 5 or higher	ELAR: less than 945 and Diagnostic: 5 or higher and Essay: 5 or higher
Math	Math: 950 or higher	Math: less than 950 and Diagnostic: 6

 

TSIA2 (test date prior to January 11, 2021 – scores must be less than 5 years old)
Subject	Passing Score
Reading	351 or higher
Writing	340 or higher AND Essay: 4 or higher
Math	350 or higher

 

I have previously taken the TSI Assessment test at another Texas school – can my scores be used?

If your scores are less than 5 years old, then they can be used to update your TSI status. Contact UTA Academic Testing Services at assessment@uta.edu to request your TSI scores to be posted to your MyMav account.

 I have taken the TSI Assessment test and my TSI status is Not Complete, what are my next steps?

The TSI Coordinator will contact you via your MyMav student email with your required next steps prior to your attendance at New Maverick Orientation.

 Who can I contact if I have TSI questions or want to know more about my status?

The TSI Coordinator can be reached at tsi@uta.edu.

 

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