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TSI Readiness

Texas Success Initiative Readiness

The Texas Success Initiative, commonly called TSI, determines whether a student is prepared to enroll in entry-level college courses in English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and mathematics without developmental education or additional academic support. A student may demonstrate TSI readiness separately in English and mathematics. Therefore, a student may be TSI-ready in one subject but not the other.

English Language Arts and Reading Readiness

A student is considered TSI-ready in English through any one of the following:

TSIA2 ELAR Readiness

The student must meet one of these two combinations:

  • ELAR College and Career Readiness score of 945 or higher and an essay score of 5–8; or

  • ELAR score below 945, an ELAR Diagnostic level of 5 or 6, and an essay score of 5–8.

A passing multiple-choice or diagnostic score alone does not establish full ELAR readiness. The student must also earn at least a 5 on the essay.

SAT

  • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 480 or higher.

ACT taken on or after February 15, 2023

  • English: Combined English and Reading score of 40 or higher.

Mathematics Readiness

A student is considered TSI-ready in mathematics through any one of the following:

TSIA2 Mathematics

  • Mathematics College and Career Readiness score of 950 or higher; or

  • Mathematics score below 950 and an Adult Basic Education Diagnostic level of 6.

SAT

  • Mathematics score of 530 or higher.

ACT taken on or after February 15, 2023

  • Mathematics score of 22 or higher.

  • No ACT composite score is required.

Other Ways a Student May Meet TSI Requirements

A student may also satisfy or be exempt from TSI requirements through certain non-testing pathways, including:

  • Successful completion of an approved high school college preparatory course in English, such as Texas College Bridge, when recognized by the college the student attends.  

    • TSI testing, post-completion of the TCB course, is administered at Bellaire High School. 

  • At this time, there are no alternative courses/programs identified for math readiness.  (TCB in math is a gateway to prepare for TSI math testing and will be required for students at Bellaire as support.)