Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) and the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

Registration Requirements

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state mandate that requires students to be assessed in reading, writing and math skills prior to enrolling in college, and to be advised based on the results of that assessment (See www.thecb.state.tx.us/TSI/FAQ.htm ). Each institution determines an individualized education plan to encourage academic success for those students who score below the deviation standard (or do not pass the THEA test). Students will be required to retest if they do not pass the initial test. Students who are non-degree seeking or non-certificate seeking must meet TSI standards.

UTD uses the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), formerly the TASP Test, offered by Pearson (National) Evaluation Systems to measure student proficiency in the basic areas of study for fulfillment of the TSI requirement.

UTD requires incoming students who are not TSI exempt to take the THEA test. The required passing standards on the THEA are:

  • Reading - 230
  • Math - 230
  • Writing - 220

TSI Exemptions

Students who have transferred to UTD from an accredited private or independent institution of higher education having completed a traditional academic Associate's of Arts or Sciences degree.

Students who have previously attended any Texas public institution and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.

The information provided should enable the receiving institution to use the transcript or the addendum as a single source of information to determine the student's TSI status.

Military Service:

  • Students who are serving in the state of Texas as active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States are TSI exempt. Official documentation of active duty status for the enrollment period is required. Students must file a Verification of Active Duty form each semester.
  • Students who are on active duty in the Texas National Guard are TSI exempt. A verification letter from the Unit Administrator is required each semester.
  • Students who are members of a reserve component of the armed forces for at least three years proceeding enrollment are TSI exempt. A verification letter from the Unit Administrator is required each semester.
  • Students who on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or member of reserve component are TSI exempt. A copy of the DD214 form showing this status is required.

Students who are transferring to UTD from a private or out-of-state, regionally accredited, college or university may meet sections of the Texas Success Initiative and the THEA placement test based on a grade of C or better in courses that are equivalent to the following courses at UTD:

Reading

(A) HIST 1301, 1302 (US History);
(B) ENGL 2321, 2322, 2323 (British Literature);
(C) ENGL 2331, 2332, 2333 (World Literature);
(D) ENGL 2326, 2327, 2328 (American Government);
(E) PSYCH 2301 (General Psychology); or
(F) GOVT 2301, 2302, 2305, 2306 (American Government)

Mathematics

(A) MATH 1300;
(B) MATH 1306;
(C) MATH 1314;
(D) MATH 1325
(E) MATH 1326
(F) MATH 2312 and courses in calculus.

Writing

(A) ENGL 1301 (Composition I/Rhetoric I); or
(B) ENGL 1302 (Composition II/Rhetoric II)

Students who have achieved the following standards are TSI exempt and are not required to take the THEA as a placement test prior to registration for courses at UTD:

  • ACT - Students with ACT composite score of 23 or higher, with individual math, reading and english scores of no less than 19 are both TSI and THEA exempt. ACT scores can be no more than five years old.
  • SAT - Students with SAT composite score of 1070 or higher, with 500 verbal and 500 math, are TSI/THEA exempt. SAT scores can be no more than five years old. Residual SAT cannot be used for THEA exemption.
  • New SAT - Students with SAT Composite score of 1605 or higher, with 500 critical reading, 500 math and 500 writing sample score are TSI/THEA exempt. SAT scores can be no more than 5 years old.
  • TAAS - Students with exit-level TAAS scores of 1770 or higher on writing, TLI of 89 in reading, and TLI of 86 in math are THEA exempt. TAAS scores can be no more than three years old. (The exit-level TAAS is a test given in Texas Public High Schools).
  • TAKS - Students with TAKS scores of 2200 in English Language Arts and Math as well as a score of 3 in the writing sample (which is often not printed on your high school transcript, but can be found on the TAKS score report) are TSI/THEA exempt. TAKS scores can be no more than three years old.
  • Students who have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States.

The following alternative tests may be used to satisfy TSI and UTD's THEA requirements, but only if taken while registered at the school where your alternative test is taken. Furthermore, please be aware that the THEA writing requirement is fulfilled by meeting the minimum score requirements on both the writing and essay sections of the tests below:

  • ASSET - Students with the following minimum scores are TSI/THEA exempt. Reading: 41, Math: 38, Writing: 40/Essay: 6
  • COMPASS - Students with the following minimum scores are TSI/THEA exempt. Reading: 81, Math: 39, Writing: 59/Essay: 6
  • ACCUPLACER - Students with the following minimum scores are TSI/THEA exempt. Reading: 78, Math: 63, Writing: 80/Essay: 6
  • MAPS - Students with following minimum scores are TSI/THEA exempt. Reading: 29, Math: 22, Writing: 21/Essay: 6. MAPS scores are acceptable only if taken prior to 9/1/03.

Note: Transcripts should be submitted to UTD as soon as possible. Official evaluation must be completed to determine course equivalencies before a THEA waiver will be granted.

The Learning Resources Unit of Undergraduate Education provides Developmental Education for the UTD campus. When undergraduate students are first admitted at UTD, they are immediately TSI liable. If they are not previously either TSI exempt or TSI waived, undergraduate students must take the Quick THEA, THEA, or the Computer THEA examination prior to the beginning of their first semester at UTD. UTD does not accept alternative tests for TSI and THEA purposes unless a student accumulates collegiate-level course work during the same semester at the same public institution where the student took an alternative test.

What if I am required to enroll in developmental coursework?

If you have not fulfilled all components of the THEA exam, you will be required to enroll in developmental courses for all unfulfilled THEA components until the requirement is fulfilled. The THEA required components along with their required developmental courses are as follows:

  • Reading - DRDG 0V92
  • Mathematics - DMTH 0V93
  • Writing - DWTG 0V91

These course descriptions can be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/student/catalog/ugcurrent/ugprograms/dev.html

Taking and passing the developmental courses does not constitute fulfillment of the THEA requirement. You still must fulfill the requirement through THEA testing or one of the exemptions above.

You can visit with your academic advisor to see what additional courses are available to you based on your individual TSI requirements. Your advisor can assist you with course selection and your degree plan requirements. Once you accumulate 60 college credit hours you are limited to lower level coursework until all of your TSI requirements are fulfilled.

THEA Test Information and Resources

  • Quick THEA Test Dates at UTD
  • THEA Practice Test - http://www.thea.nesinc.com/
  • The Official THEA Test Study Guide by Pearson (National) Evaluation Systems, Inc. This helpful paperback study guide is divided into three sections - reading, writing and math. Available at local bookstores, online and at the UTD Bookstore for approximately $15.

Please contact Learning Resources for further details - 972-883-6707.