Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program designed to ensure students attending public colleges and universities in Texas have the necessary reading, math, and writing skills to be successful in college-level coursework. Texas Success Initiative involves an assessment component (TSIA2), an individual advising component and a developmental education program for those students who do not pass all parts of the assessment.

All students entering Cisco College must take the TSIA2 (unless you are exempt). The TSIA2 is composed of two sections: math and ELAR (English Language Arts Reading). Each of these sections contains up to two parts. Testers may be required to take one or both sections of the test. Testers who need both sections are not required to take both sections in one testing session. They may choose to schedule each section on a different day.

Please see below for information about exemptions. Students who are exempt must present official documentation of their exemption in order to register.

Students who are not exempt from the Texas Success Initiative Assessment must present test scores in order to register.

Students who are unsure of which section(s) of the TSIA2 they need should contact the academic counselor for their program or group.

  • How Do I Know if I'm Exempt?

    Students may be considered exempt from placement testing if they meet one of the following conditions:

    • Earned qualifying scores on either the ACT, SAT, STAAR OR GED. Test scores are valid for five years from the date of testing.

    ACT (Prior to February 15, 2023)

    • A composite score of 23 or higher and a minimum of 19 on the English will exempt a student from the ELAR section of the TSIA2.
    • A composite score of 23 or higher and a minimum of 19 on the mathematics section will exempt a student from the math section of the TSIA2.

    ACT (On or After February 15, 2023)

    • A combined score of 40 on the English and Reading (E+R) will exempt a student from the ELAR section of the TSIA2.
    • A math score of 22 will exempt a student from the math section of the TSIA2.

    SAT (After March 2016) -

    • An Evidence-based Reading and Writing score of 480 will exempt a student from the ELAR sections of the TSIA2.
    • A Math score of 530 will exempt a student on the math section of the TSIA2.

    STAAR -

    • A minimum English III end of course (EOC) Level 2 score of 4000 will exempt a student from the ELAR section of the TSIA2.
    • A minimum Algebra II end of course (EOC) Level 2 score of 4000 will exempt a student on the Mathematics section of the TSIA2.

    GED -

    • A score of 165 or higher on the Mathematical reasoning subject test will exempt a student from the Math section of the TSIA2.
    • A score of 165 or higher on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test will exempt a student from the English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) section of the TSIA2.

    Other Exemptions May Be:

    • A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
    • A student 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 in the reserves for at least three years preceding enrollment. Proof of active duty will be required.
    • 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. Proof of service will be required (DD214).
    • A transfer student with approved coursework may be exempted from one or both sections of the TSIA2. A student should bring a transcript(s) to a counselor for evaluation to determine if they are exempt, or need to take one or both section(s) of the TSIA2. This should be done well in advance so as not to delay registration.
    • Students who have successfully completed the Texas College Bridge coursework during high school may be exempt from one or both section(s) of the TSIA2. A certificate of completion is required. Certificates are valid for two years from the date of completion. This exemption applies only to school districts that partner with Cisco College.
    • Certain technical programs may not require TSIA2 testing.
    • Dual credit students should contact the Dual Credit Office for exemption information.
  • Is There Material I Can Study to Prepare for the TSI?

    Click the site descriptions below to access the practice links provided by the College Board

    •https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer/tsia-texas-success-initiative-assessment
    •https://tsia2.pearsonperspective.com/perspective/

    The links above are official practice links provided by the College Board. You may also be able to search for other free TSIA2 practice tests and review materials online.