You are exempt from testing for TSI if you present an official transcript from an accredited Texas institution of higher education marked “TASP/THEA Exempt” or “TSI Complete”.
You may be TSI exempt due to ACT, SAT, TAKS, or STAAR EOC scores (an official high school transcript is required for documentation).
-ACT: Composite 23 with a minimum of 19 on both English and Math
-SAT (taken prior to March 2016): Composite 1070 with a minimum 500 on verbal and math
(on or after March 5, 2016): Minimum score of 480 on Evidenced-Based and Writing and a minimum score of 530 on the Math
-TAKS:
--11th grade scores provide a permanent exemption for TSI purposes.
TAKS Scores needed for waiver or exemption:
-Math score of 2200 or higher and
-ELA (English Language Arts) score of 2200 or higher with a 3 or 4 on the essay portion.
-STAAR end-of-course (EOC): Minimum of Level 2 (4000)
-STAAR scores needed for exemption:
Algebra II- minimum of Level 2 (4000) to be exempt in mathematics
English III EOC- minimum of Level 2 (4000) to be exempt in reading and writing
-ACT, SAT, TAKS and STAAR scores may be no more than five years old.
-Partial exemptions are available on TAKS and SAT or ACT tests dated April 2004 or later.
You are exempt from testing if you have graduated from a public institution of higher education in the state of Texas with an associate or baccalaureate degree.
You are exempt if you transfer to an institution from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by the receiving institution.
You may be exempt from testing if you transfer from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education with a grade of “C” or better in selected college level courses. Successful completion of a course in each content area will be required. An official transcript is required before any exemptions can be determined.
You are waived from testing if you are enrolled in a Level-One certificate program with 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent. Current high school students are not waived from testing under the Level-One certificate program unless exemption/waiver requirement is met under SAT, ACT, or TAKS.
You are exempt from testing if you 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 having served for at least three years preceding enrollment.
You are exempt from testing if you are honorably discharged, retire, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or from service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States on or after August 1, 1990.
What's my first move?
If you are exempt from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) testing requirement or have already taken the TSI Assessment (or Accuplacer, THEA, Quick THEA, Compass or Asset), you must provide TVCC with official transcripts or score reports prior to enrolling. Trinity Valley Community College regularly administers the TSI Assessment. See TSI testing dates.
Remember, you may not register in academic courses until we receive your test scores or documentation of your exemption. It is recommended that testing be completed at least two weeks prior to registration. This stipulation also applies to those students planning to attend a Freshman Orientation session. See the TVCC catalog for further details.
