Texas Success Initiative Assessment
The Texas Success Initiative was enacted by Texas legislators for all public state institutions of higher education to follow. The TSI Assessment (TSIA), which may be required of all first-time entering students, will determine students’ readiness for college-level coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students who do not meet the minimum passing standards will be required to follow a developmental education program designed to help them achieve college-level readiness. Results from this assessment will be used for course placement only and not as a condition of admission to the college. There is a fee charged for this assessment and prior registration may be required. A Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) is required prior to paying for and taking the assessment.
Use the form below to upload at least one set of test scores (SAT, ACT, TSIA, GED, HiSET, or STAAR EOC). If multiple TSIA/TSIA2 tests were taken, all score reports must be submitted.
TSIA Exemptions and Waivers
Students may be exempt or waived from testing in the following ways:
- ACT
- SAT
- GED
- HiSET
- TAKS
- STAAR EOC
- Military
- Previous Coursework
- Level 1 Certificate Waiver (42 hours or less)
- Previous Degree
ACT
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: February 15, 2023 or later | 22 *No Composite | 40 (combined English/Reading Score) *No Composite | 40 (combined English/Reading Score) *No Composite |
- ACT score exemptions are good for five years.
ACT test date prior to February 15, 2023:
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: | 23 Composite 19 in Math | 23 Composite 19 in English | 23 Composite 19 in English |
- A composite score of 23 is required to be exempt in one or more areas. If a student does not meet the composite minimum, their ACT scores cannot be used for TSIA exemption.
- If you made an ACT Composite score of 23+ with an ACT English score of 19+, you are exempt from the reading and writing areas.
- If you made an ACT Composite of 23+ with an ACT Math score of 19+, you are exempt from the math area.
- ACT score exemptions are good for five years.
SAT
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: |
530 in Math |
480 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing |
480 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing |
SAT test date prior to March 5, 2016:
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: |
1070 in Math + Critical Reading 500 in Math |
1070 in Math + Critical Reading 500 in Critical Reading |
1070 in Math + Critical Reading 500 in Critical Reading |
- A Math + Critical Reading score of 1070 is required to be exempt in one or more areas. If a student does not meet the 1070 combined minimum, then the SAT scores cannot be used for TSI exemption.
- If your SAT Critical Reading score was 500+ and your combined Math + Critical Reading score was 1070+, you are exempt from the reading and writing areas.
- If your SAT Math score was 500+ and your combined Math + Critical Reading was 1070+, you are exempt from the math area.
- SAT score exemptions are good for five years.
- Mixing or combining scores from the SAT administered prior to March 2016 and the SAT administered on or after March 5, 2016, is not allowed.
GED
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: |
165 Mathematical Reasoning |
165 Reasoning Through Language Arts |
165 Reasoning Through Language Arts |
GED score exemptions are good for five years.
HiSET
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: |
15 Mathematics subtest |
15 Reading subtest AND 15 Writing subtest with 4 Essay |
15 Reading subtest AND 15 Writing subtest with 4 Essay |
HiSET score exemptions are good for five years.
11th Grade Exit-Level TAKS
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: |
2200 in Math |
2200 in ELA and a 3 on Written Composition |
2200 in ELA and a 3 on Written Composition |
- If you made a TAKS ELA score of 2200+ and a written composition score of 3+, you are exempt from the reading and writing areas.
- If you made a TAKS math score of 2200+, you are exempt from the math area.
- Beginning Fall 2013, 11th grade exit-level TAKS score exemptions are good for five years.
STAAR EOC
| Exempt in: | Math | Reading | Writing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scores: |
4000 in Algebra II, Level II |
2000 in English III, Reading, Level II |
and |
2000 in English III, Writing, Level II |
|
Spring 2016-Present |
||||
- If you made a score of 2000 in English III Reading, Level II, you are exempt from the reading area.
- If you made a score of 2000 in English III Writing, Level II, you are exempt from the writing area.
- If you made a score of 4000 in STAAR EOC Algebra II Level II, you are exempt from the math area.
- If you made a score of 4000 in STAAR EOC English III Level II spring 2016 forward, you are exempt from the reading and writing areas.
- STAAR EOC score exemptions are good for five years.
Military
- Veterans who were honorably discharged on or after August 1, 1990, are granted a full TSIA military exemption. A copy of your DD214 with character of service must be submitted to the admissions.
- Students who have been active duty for three or more years are allowed a temporary TSI waiver for all areas. A copy of your military ID card or letter from the military stating when your active duty service expires and a copy of your most recent LES must be submitted to Admissions to determine if you qualify for the waiver. Once the student is honorably discharged, the waiver may be replaced by a permanent TSI military exemption as soon as the DD214 showing honorable discharge is submitted to admissions.
Previous Coursework
- A student who transfers to the Blinn College District from regionally accredited private or independent institution of higher education or a regionally accredited out of state institution of higher education, has taken courses corresponding to the Success Initiative requirements, and earned a grade of “C” or higher in each of the three skill areas earn TSIA exemptions. These courses must have a common course numbers corresponding to courses transferring to Blinn.
- If the student has not earned a grade of “C” or higher in each of the skill areas, the student must be tested for the remaining area(s) and comply with all other Success Initiative requirements.
Level I Certificate Waiver
- A student who enrolls in a Level 1 certificate program of one year or less with 42 or fewer semester credit hours and takes only classes listed in that certificate plan earns TSIA exemptions. TSIA requirements apply if you change your major or take courses outside of your Level 1 certificate plan.
Previous Degree
- If you received an associate degree or bachelor’s degree, you are exempt.
- Exemptions will not be granted until documentation is provided in the form of official transcripts sent directly to Blinn or a score report sent directly from the testing agency to Blinn.
TSIA Placement Charts
The following charts detail course placement by score from the TSIA in reading, writing, and mathematics:
TSIA Reading and Writing prior to January 11, 2021*
TSIA2 Reading and Writing after January 11, 2021*
*Must be college ready in Reading and Writing to enroll in ENGL 1301
*The mathematics pathways shown above are determined by Blinn degree plans and are intended to serve as a guide. Every effort is made to ensure Blinn’s degree plans and the courses therein transfer seamlessly to universities; however, students should meet with an academic advisor to verify the transferability of all courses to the student’s desired 4-year institution.