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TSI Exemptions

Students may qualify for an exemption from Texas Success Initiative Assessment​​​ and therefore be ready for college-level courses. ​​

Exemptions from TSI testing include:


  • Associate (AA or AS) or a baccalaureate (BA or BS) degree from a Texas public institution of higher education

  • ACT composite score of 23 or higher with a score of at least 19 on both the math and English sections (scores good for 5 years from original test date)

  • SAT administered prior to March 2016: Earned a combined score of 1070 or higher with a minimum of 500 on both the math and verbal sections (scores good for 5 years from original test date)

  • SAT administered March 2016 and later: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) minimum score of 480, Mathematics minimum score of 530 (no combined score needed)

  • TAKS (Eleventh grade exit-level) with at least 2200 on MATH and/or at least 2200 on English Language Arts with a writing score at least 3 (scores good for 5 years from original test date)

  • STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with at least 2000 on Level 2 of the English III are exempt from the TSI Assessment for both reading and writing, and at least 4000 on Level 2 of the Algebra II EOC (scores good for 5 years from original test date)

  • Active duty military, Texas National Guard, or reserves or were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty in the military, the Texas National Guard, or the reserves after August 1, 1990. ​

Last updated 3/30/2020 5:29 AM