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Counseling » TSI Exemptions and Waivers

TSI Exemptions and Waivers

Ms. Finke is your contact for anything related to the TSI test! 

Texas Success Initiative Exemptions and Waivers

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.
 

TSI Exemptions & Waivers

 Students may be exempt or waived from testing in the following ways:

 

ACT

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 TSI 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 allowable.**

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 forward 
4000 in English III, Level II

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 TSI military exemption. 
(A copy of your DD214 with character of service must be submitted to the admissions.) 
These students are exempt in all areas.

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 military stating when your active duty service expires and a copy of your most recent LES must be provided for us to determine if you qualify for the waiver must be submitted to admissions.) 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 (Transfer, Dual Credit) 
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 and have taken courses corresponding to the Success Initiative requirements and earned a grade of “C” or higher in each of the three skill areas.  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 1 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.  TSI 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.