How Can I Be TSI Complete?
Admitted UT students can achieve "TSI Complete" status through four pathways. To check your TSI status, log in to your myUT account and verify whether a TSI hold is on your record. If you have a TSI hold, follow these steps to fulfill the TSI requirements.
TSI Exemption Criteria
To be fully exempt from taking the TSI Assessment, students must meet the exemption criteria for both Math and English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) sections. Exemption requires submitting appropriate scores or documentation to UT Austin, where they will be processed into the student system for exemption purposes.
Partial exemptions are granted if a student meets the criteria for one section but not the other. In this case, the student will only need to take the TSI Assessment for the remaining section.
Below are the tests and scores that qualify for exemptions:
| Exempt for TSI Math | Exempt for TSI ELAR | |
|---|---|---|
| SAT | Math: 530 | Reading & Writing (EBRW): 480 |
| ACT | Administered prior to February 15, 2023: 23 Composite Score (without writing) with Math sub score of 19 Administered prior to February 15, 2023 Math Sub Score of 22 | Administered prior to February 15, 2023: 23 Composite Score (without writing) with English sub score of 19 Administered prior to February 15, 2023 Combined Score of 40 on the English and Reading (E+R) tests |
| TSIA Scores | After January 11, 2021 Mathematics: 950 OR 910-949 + diagnostic score of 6 Before January 11, 2021 Mathematics: 350 | After January 11, 2021 ELAR: 945-990 + Essay of at least 5 OR 910-944, diagnostic score of 5 or 6, and Essay of 5-8 Before January 11, 2021 Reading: 351 Essay score of 4 and multiple choice of 340 or higher; OR multiple choice of less than 340, an ABE diagnostic level of at least 4, and essay of at least 5 |
| STAAR End-of-Course | Algebra II: 4,000 | English III Writing: 4,000 English III Reading: 4,000 |
| TAKS | A student with an exit-level TAKS math score of at least 2200 is exempt from the math requirement. | A student with an exit-level TAKS English/language arts score of at least 2200 and an essay score of at least 3 is exempt from the reading and writing requirements. |
| College Credit | Students who took coursework at another institution (including Dual Credit), can submit their official transcripts for evaluation to be fully or partially exempt. | |
| AP Scores | Students can submit their AP scores to UT Austin. | |
| Earned Prior Degree | Students who have previously earned a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree can submit their official transcripts to become exempt. | |
| Non-Degree Seeking | Students who are admitted and considered non-degree seeking will be exempt. | |
| Military | Students who have served in the military (on or after August 1, 1990) and were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the U.S. (copy of DD214 required) will be exempted. Active duty military members of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the U.S. will be exempted (letter from commanding officer required). This temporary exemption will be valid for only one semester; orders must be resubmitted each semester. | |
Important Notes
- All test scores are valid for 5 years. Scores older than 5 years cannot be used for exemption.
- UT Austin does not accept high school transcripts or ACT super-scores for exemption purposes.
- All PDF score reports or transcripts must include your full name, test date, grades, institution name, and all scores.
Submitting Your Documents
To request an exemption:
- Email your score reports or official documents in PDF format to tsi@austin.utexas.edu
- All emails must include your full name, your UTEID and a small description of what you are submitting.
Next Steps
- Fully Exempt: If you meet the criteria for all sections, submit your documentation.
- Partially Exempt: Submit your documentation and proceed to the Take the TSIA for the remaining sections of the TSI that you need to complete.
- No Exemption: If you do not meet any exemption criteria, follow the steps to take the TSI Assessment.
Submitting Your TSIA Scores
To send your TSIA scores:
- Email your score reports or official documents in PDF format to tsi@austin.utexas.edu
- All emails must include your full name, your UTEID and a small description of what you are submitting.
- If you cannot locate your scores please fill out the form below. After you submit the form, our office will search for your scores and contact you to confirm whether we were able to locate them. If found, we will also let you know if your scores meet the passing criteria.
Passing scores for the TSIA
| Exempt for TSI Math | Exempt for TSI ELAR | |
|---|---|---|
| TSIA Scores | After January 11, 2021 Mathematics: 950 OR 910-949 + diagnostic score of 6 Before January 11, 2021 Mathematics: 350 | After January 11, 2021 ELAR: 945-990 + Essay of at least 5 OR 910-944, diagnostic score of 5 or 6, and Essay of 5-8 Before January 11, 2021 Reading: 351 Essay score of 4 and multiple choice of 340 or higher; OR multiple choice of less than 340, an ABE diagnostic level of at least 4, and essay of at least 5 |
If you have never taken the TSI Assessment before, and do not have an exemption, please proceed to Taking the TSI Assessment.
TSI Assessment: Steps to Get Started
If you are not exempt from all portions of the TSI and have not taken or passed all sections of the TSI Assessment, you are required to complete the TSI Assessment. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Complete the Pre-Assessment Activity (PPA)
Before taking the TSI Assessment, you must complete the Pre-Assessment Activity (PPA). A testing voucher will only be issued after this step.
- Create an Account: Set up an account to access the PPA.
- Log In and Select the PPA: Choose "Texas Success Initiative 2.0 Pre-Assessment Activity (TSIA2 – PAA)" from the available options.
- Enter UT Austin Information: Select "University of Texas at Austin" as your institution and provide your UT Austin Student EID.
- Once you have completed the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity, you will have the ability to fill in, save, and print a certificate of completion. You will need this certificate in order to request a voucher.
Step 2: Register for the TSI Assessment
Register for the TSIA (Online Test Only)
- You must complete the Pre Assessment Activity before you request a voucher to take the TSI Assessment. Make sure you have your completion certificate before you proceed to register for the test.
- After registering, please allow 36-72 hours for the TSI Office to process your request.
- Once processed, you will receive an email from Accuplacer with your voucher details. If additional information is required, the TSI Office will contact you.
- Follow the instructions in your email to schedule your test.
The TSI Assessment will be administered online through Meazure Learning’s ProctorU platform with live proctoring. The Live Proctoring (Live+) fee is $28.
Practice Test Activity
The practice app also contains TSI Assessment test preparation resources to help you better understand the content and format of the test. If you are ready to prepare for your TSI Test and complete the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity, access it below.
TSI Pre-Assessment and Practice App
Step 3: Complete Before Orientation
You only need to take the sections of the test that you have not yet passed or been exempted from. Once you’ve completed the TSI Assessment, proceed to "TSI Complete".
Next Steps After Receiving Your TSI Assessment Scores
If you’ve completed the TSI Assessment and received your scores, please review the following information:
- Passed Sections: If you passed all required sections of the test or received exemptions, please send your documents to tsi@austin.utexas.edu. After we received your documents, your TSI hold will be lifted, and you’ll be able to register for classes as usual.
- Not Passed: If you did not pass certain sections, you have the option to retake the test before your orientation day. To register for a retake, click here to register for the TSIA online.
- Developmental Courses: If you choose not to retake the test, to complete TSI requirements you’ll be enrolled in developmental courses for the areas you did not pass. Additional details about TSI Orientation and course registration will be sent to you via email.
Learn more about our developmental courses here.
If you have any questions, please contact us at tsi@austin.utexas.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is TSI important?
Your TSI status will determine courses you can register for. If you are exempt or have successfully passed all three sections of the TSI Assessment, you will be able to register for all entry-level college courses. However, if you failed to meet the minimum passing scores, you will be placed in our core-requisite pairings which are designed to support you in your college-level courses.
What is the TSIA (Texas Success Initiative Assessment)
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) is a standardized test that helps determine if a student is ready for college-level coursework in math, reading, and writing. The TSIA is required for all incoming college students in Texas, unless they are exempt.
The TSIA is a placement test, so students cannot pass or fail it. Instead, the test results are used to determine if a student should be enrolled in a college-level course or placed in a developmental course.
What does the TSI Assessment look like?
Here are the key details about the TSI Assessment:
Purpose: The test assesses your academic strengths to determine your readiness for college.
Format:The test consists of multiple-choice questions. If you're required to take the writing section, you'll also need to write an essay.
Timing: The online test has a 9-hour time limit, allowing you to work at your own pace. On average, students complete both sections in about 2.5 hours.
Adaptive Design: The test adapts to your responses, adjusting the difficulty level of questions accordingly.
Results: Your scores and proficiency information will be available immediately after completing the test.
Retakes: You may retake any section as many times as needed, though each attempt requires registration and a fee.
Pre-Assessment Requirement: The Pre-Assessment Activity is designed to simulate the test. We recommend using the Practice App to familiarize yourself with the test format and see what to expect.
Is there a fee to take the TSIA?
The test is administered online with live proctoring through Meazure Learning’s ProctorU platform. The fee for Live Proctoring (Live+) is $28.
ProctorU offers a leading combination of human-centered proctoring and advanced technology, supported by the Guardian Secure Browser, to provide a seamless and secure testing experience that aligns with modern testing needs.
For more details, please visit meazurelearning.com/accuplacer.
Do I still need to complete TSI if I didn’t send my SAT/ACT test scores to UT?
Yes, the ACT/SAT test score waiver was for admission purposes only and does not carry over to the TSI requirement. All incoming students are required to be assessed in Math and English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) and taking the ACT/SAT could exempt or partially exempt you if you meet certain scores.
What if I did not meet the required score?
If you do not earn the required college-readiness score, you will be required to take developmental courses. You can learn more about them here. You will meet with a TSI advisor during your Orientation so that you can be placed in the appropriate course.
What College Courses Count for a TSI Exemption?
Certain courses completed at another higher education institution may exempt you from specific sections of the TSI Assessment:
- Reading: History, Psychology, Government, Sociology, or similar.
- Writing: Rhetoric, Writing, Composition, Creative Writing, or similar.
- Math: College Algebra, Economics or similar.
Important Notes:
- You must submit a copy of your college transcript to the TSI Office for evaluation.
- An unofficial transcript is acceptable as long as your full name is visible.
- High school transcripts listing dual credit courses will not be accepted.
Submit your college transcript to determine if you qualify for a TSI exemption.
Can I take the TSI at another school?
Yes, students can take the TSI remotely at a College Board-approved testing site. These sites are typically colleges and universities located throughout the country but it can also be your Texas Highschool.
Test at Your High School
Take the TSI Assessment while you are in high school. This is the best option and can often be done at no charge to you. Visit your college and career counselor for more information on testing while in high school and sending us your scores.
Test at another location
Step 1: You will need to locate a site near you that meets the following criteria:
- The site must be a member of the College Board Remote Testing Network. Please note: the test proctor cannot be your teacher or any other individual with a stake in your academic success.
- The test proctor must be unrelated to you. Parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc. are not allowed.
- The site must be able to return documents either by scanned email (preferred method) or by fax.
Step 2: You will need to email tsi@austin.utexas.edu and include the following information in the email:
- Your full legal name as it would appear on an official transcript (no nicknames or abbreviations).
- Your myUT EID (e.g. abc123)
- Your contact information (phone number and email address)
- Testing institution contact information (Name of College or University, phone number, and email address)
A UT TSI staff member will determine your eligibility to take the TSI Assessment remotely. The staff member will notify you via email if you qualify. You and your proctor will then receive a voucher number via email. This voucher number will be unique to you and will allow your proctor to administer the test remotely.
Important Information About Fees: The remote site will charge a sitting fee that varies from institution to institution.
I took the TSIA at another school. Why hasn’t my TSI hold been removed?
Students who have taken the TSIA at a remote College Board-approved testing site must submit a request to allow UT to download their test scores. It can take 3-5 business days for your request to be processed once submitted.
I am having trouble registering for the TSIA. Who can help me?
Please take the following steps to solve the issue:
- Follow the 5 Stepts to get ready for your ACCUPLACER Exam
- Did you check all the privacy settings on your computer? Often, your privacy settings do not allow Meazure Learning’s ProctorU platform to validate a code.
- Please make sure the name of the voucher and the name on your profile are the same.
If after following these steps your voucher code is invalid, please email tsi@austin.utexas.edu
I sent my transcripts, but I’m still completing a course. Can I have my TSI hold removed?
You may qualify for a TSI exemption based on the course you're currently taking. However, we cannot officially accept college credit until you have a grade for the class.
To avoid delays, we recommend taking the TSI Assessment as a precaution.
I am an out-of-state/international student. Do I still need to take the TSI?
Yes, the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a requirement for all students attending a Texas higher education institution. If you don’t qualify for any exemptions, you will need to take the TSIA. Fortunately, the TSIA is an online test that you can take at your convenience from virtually anywhere.
I completed College Bridge Certificate, can I be exempt?
Unfortunately, UT Austin does not accept the Texas College Bridge certificate for a TSI exemption. You can check what institutions do accept these certificates here.