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It's the Law

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a matter of state law (Texas Education Code §51.3062) and compliance is mandatory for all students who wish to attend a Texas public institution of higher education (as of fall 2003). The law requires all entering college students to be assessed for college readiness in reading, mathematics and writing unless the student qualifies for an exemption.

 Starting January 11, 2021 the traditional TSI Assessment will be replaced with a Texas Success Initiative 2.0 (TSIA2). This assessment will only have two components Math and Reading and Writing will be combined into  English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) 

• Current Reading and Writing tests will be combined into one ELAR section
• New college ready scores for Math and ELAR:
  TSIA 2.0 Scores:
  ELAR (Reading and Writing)- College Ready Classification (CRC) 945 and Essay 5 or College Ready Classification (CRC) less than 945 and Diagnostic Level of a 5 or 6 and at least a 5 Essay
  Math- College Ready Classification (CRC) 950 or below 950 and Diagnostic Level 6

The Reading and Writing Sections will be combined into one ELAR section. You will not be able to take them separately. You will see both Reading and Writing questions and possibly the essay when taking the ELAR section. Your result on the ELAR section will determine if you reach the College Ready Classification in both Reading and Writing.

Before you take the TSI Assessment

Before taking the TSI Assessment, you must complete the mandatory or 

The PAM is only an exercise and will not be scored. Students are required to take the PAM on their own, either at home or at school; students should spend less than 30 minutes on the PAM.

Upon completion of the PAM, you will be permitted to register for the TSI Assessment.

Students will not be allowed to take the TSI Assessment until they have completed this activity.

Please make sure that you check with the Office of Admissions before taking this test, there are no refunds.

Payment and Registration

Determine if you need to take the test

Complete the Pre-Assessment Module (PAM) -  Go to  to take PAM. 

Another way to complete the Pre-Assement is to go here:  and send the certificate to distancetesting@utep.edu

Pay the test fee ($25) and Register –  

THE TEST FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE. 

Note: A non-refundable convenience fee of $3.50 will be applied for online payments.

To avoid the convenience fee, you may register in-person at the Testing Office. Payment
may be made in the Testing Office using exact cash ONLY.

Day of the Test

• LOCATION:
  • The Student Testing Office is located in the UTEP Library, 4th floor, room 401.
    • Examinees are asked to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to take the test.
• IDENTIFICATION:
  • You will be required to present an official UNEXPIRED identification card with a current photo.
  • Acceptable forms of identification include:
    • Driver’s license
    • State-approved or federal ID
    • Military ID
    • College ID
    • High school ID
    • Middle school ID (only for those in middle school)
    • Passport
    • Tribal ID
    • Naturalization card or certificate of citizenship
    • Completed ACCUPLACER Test Taker ID Form
      
      

Test Schedule

To view available test dates, click HERE.

Scores

Please visit here to view scores: 

To view and transfer scores to another institution please visit:  

Placement (Prior to Jan 11, 2021) scores good for 5 years.

Students are considered "college ready" and eligible to enroll in entry-level college courses if they meet the following score requirements in any or all assessment areas:

• Mathematics: a minimum score of 350
• Reading: a minimum score of 351
• Writing: a minimum score of 340 on the multiple choice section AND a minimum score of 4 on the essay section

NOTE: You will have to go thru TSI advising if these scores are not met.

Scores and Placement (After to Jan 11, 2021) scores good for 5 years.

Test Length

The TSI Assessment is administered in 5 hour test sessions.  If a student does not complete all sections of the test, the student has 14 days to return to complete your test.

The TSI Assessment prior to January 11, 2021 of the following tests:

• TSI Writing - A multiple choice assessment with approximately 20 items on the placement test, and 42-48 items on the diagnostic test. This assessment covers Essay Revision, Agreement, Sentence Structure, and Sentence Logic.
• TSI Math – There are approximately 22 items on this test and 42-48 items on the diagnostic test. This is a multiple-choice assessment that covers Intermediate Algebra and Functions, Geometry and Measurements, Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability.
• TSI Reading - There are approximately 24 items on this assessment test, and 42-48 items per category on the diagnostic test. This assessment covers Literary analysis, Main Idea and Supporting Details, Inferences in a Text or Texts, and Author’s Use of Language.

The TSI Assessment 2.0 after to January 11, 2021of the following tests:

• TSIA2 ELAR Unless you’re exempt, you’ll first be administered the multiple-choice College Readiness Classification (CRC) Test.
  • This CRC Test, made up of 30 questions, covers 4 sub categories, and addresses these 2 content categories:
    • Reading-focused questions measure your skills in comprehension and analysis of literary texts, as well as informational and argumentative texts, including paired passages.
    • Writing-focused questions measure your skills in revision and editing of sentences, paragraphs, and early drafts of essays.
    • If you don’t meet the college readiness benchmark on the CRC you’ll then take the multiple-choice ELAR Diagnostic Test. Take your time and answer each question to the best of your ability. This test provides you with a second opportunity to demonstrate your readiness in ELAR.
    • The results of this test will provide information on your strengths and weaknesses in the areas of reading and writing. Your advisor or counselor will use this information to make the best recommendations for courses or interventions you need to prepare for success in college-level courses. The ELAR Diagnostic Test contains 48 multiple-choice questions, of which 24 are reading-focused and 24 are writing-focused
    • TSIA2 ESSAY The TSIA2 Essay Test is used along with the multiple-choice ELAR component to see if you’re college ready with respect to reading and writing.
      • The Essay Test requires you to provide a 300- to 600-word essay in response to one randomly selected prompt.
      • Your essay is scored based on six qualities that are highly valued in college-level courses:
        • Purpose and Focus: The extent to which you present information in a unified and coherent manner, clearly addressing the issue
        • Organization and Structure: The extent to which you order and connect ideas
        • Development and Support: The extent to which you develop and support ideas
        • Sentence Variety and Style: The extent to which you craft sentences and paragraphs demonstrating control of vocabulary, voice, and structure
        • Mechanical Conventions: The extent to which you express ideas using Standard English conventions
        • Critical Thinking: The extent to which you communicate a point of view and demonstrate reasoned relationships among ideas
        • You’re not allowed to use a dictionary or other outside resources. To help you plan your essay and write rough drafts, you may ask the proctor for plain scratch paper, which will be collected at the end of your test session
• TSIA2 MATHEMATICS Unless you’re exempt, you’ll be administered the multiple-choice Mathematics College Readiness Classification (CRC) Test first. It’s made up of 20 questions and covers 4 content categories:
  • Quantitative Reasoning: Calculating ratios, proportions, and percentages, as well as identifying, manipulating, and interpreting linear equations and expressions
  • Algebraic Reasoning: Solving equations (linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, rational, and radical), evaluating functions, and solving algebraic problems in context
  • Geometric and Spatial Reasoning: Converting units within measurement systems, solving geometric problems (perimeter, area, surface area, and volume), performing transformations, and applying right triangle trigonometry
  • Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning: Classifying data, constructing appropriate representations of data, computing, and interpreting probability, and describing measures of center and spread of data If you don’t meet the college readiness benchmark, you’ll be routed to the multiple-choice Mathematics Diagnostic Test.
  • Take your time and answer each question to the best of your ability. This test provides you with a second opportunity to demonstrate your readiness in mathematics. The results of this test will provide information on your strengths and weaknesses in each content area. Your adviser or counselor will use this information to make the best recommendations for courses or interventions you need to prepare for success in college-level mathematics courses.
  • The Mathematics Diagnostic Test is made up of 48 questions. There are 12 questions from each of the content categories listed above.
  • Note: Handheld calculators of any type are not permitted for use with the online TSIA2 Mathematics Test. Some, but not all, of the math questions contain one or more pop-up calculators for use in solving problems asked. If applicable, you will have access to the following types of pop-up calculators: basic (four-function), square root (four-function with square root button), and/or graphing (TI-84). If you are taking an accommodated test (e.g., paper-and-pencil, braille, or audio), you will be allowed to use a square root calculator

Retake Policy

You can retake any section or sections of the TSI Assessment as many times as needed.

Remote and Distance Testing

If you are unable to travel to the UTEP Student Assessment & Testing Office, you may take the test via remote or distance testing.

New and transfer students who live outside of El Paso County, residing in-state or out-of-state, and plan to attend The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso can arrange to take the UTEP TSI Assessment at a local college or university that is more accessible to the student.

Please visit our Remote TSI Assessment page for information on off-campus testing. 

PROHIBITED ITEMS

FOOD, DRINKS, HATS, MECHANICAL PENCILS, ALL TYPES OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES, ALL TYPES OF WATCHES, AND CONCEALED HANDGUNS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE TEST ROOM

UTEP Codes: ACT: 4223; AP, CLEP, SAT, TOEFL: 6829; THEA: 357; DSST: 8021