TSI Assessment

What is the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)?

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program that requires all undergraduate students to deomonstrate their readiness in three key areas: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Through this initiative, the tetsing center aims to identify student's stregnths and areas of imporvement in order for students to be successful in college-level coursework. TSI Assessment scores are not used to determine admissions status; however, entering students must show they are in compliant or take the TSI Assessment before enrolling in college-level courses. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with your academic background, goals and interests, are used by academic advisers to place you in the appropriate entry math and english courses. 

TSI Exemptions

Not all incoming students need to take the TSI Assessment and can verify if they are exempt. Students with a TSI exemption may be eligible to enroll in an entry-level college course or be in progress towards an entry-level college course.

Students that are TSI incomplete or have not submitted documentation to verify compliance will have TSI Holds on their account that prevent course registration. To retrieve and send your scores to UNT Dallas, please follow the instructions on the CollegeBoard website.

Students who do not qualify for one of the exemptions must complete the TSI assessment. The results of the TSI assessment will be used to determine course selections. As part of the student's academic plan, students who do not meet the minimum standards in one or more areas will be advised with an advisor regarding developmental courses.

Are You Exempt From TSI?

Visit the TSI Exemption Form webpage for more information about your options to bypass the TSI exam. IF any of the options apply to you please complete the associated form and return it to tsi@untdallas.edu. 

Mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity

Before registering to take the TSI Assessment, all students must take a pre-assessment activity (PAA). You will not be allowed to take the TSI Assessment  until you have completed this activity. The PAA can be accessed athttps://practice.accuplacer.org/login

After completing the PAA, print out the pre-assessment certificate and bring it with you to the Testing Center on the day of your exam.

How can I meet TSI requirements if I am not exempt?

you will be required to take the TSIA2 Assessment in the subject areas that you are not TSI exempt. If you do not meet the minimum cut-off scores, you will be placed into the appropriate developmental courses or interventions. If taking the TSIA2 for the first time you are required to take all subjects. Please review the chart below that verifies the minimum scores.

 TSI Area

Minimum Score
ELAR

950-990

OR: ≤ 945, a Diagnostic of 6 and Essay score 5-8

OR: 945-949, with a Diagnostic  ≥5 and Essay score  ≥5 
ESSAY

6

OR a combination of 5-8 if other ELAR passing scores are met as described above
MATH

950-990

OR:  910-949, with a Diagnostic of 6
 The college readiness cut-off scores for each subject

Testing Options

Incoming UNTD Students Testing On-Campus Elsewhere

If you are a student that plans on attending the University of North Texas at Dallas and lives outside of Dallas or Texas, you can take the TSI in your area. Follow these steps to request a test be sent to your nearest local testing center:

  1. Select "Schedule a Testing Appointment" on the left
  2. Select "ACCUPLACER/TSI" for Group
  3. (UNTD Students) - On-Campus TSI at Another Institution
  4. Follow on-screen instructions to complete your registration

 (Note: The institution administering the exam may charge you an additional fee)

Incoming UNTD Students @Home Testing

If you are a student that plans on attending the University of North Texas at Dallas and wishes to test at home, you may opt to do so. In order to take your TSI at home, you must have a working webcam and microphone. 

Follow these steps to request a at-home testing voucher:

*In order to take a remote TSI test, you must be an incoming UNTD student with a UNTD ID number.*

Note: You must have a working webcam, microphone, and quiet space to complete the remote testing session.

  1. Select "Schedule a Testing Appointment" on the left
  2. Select "ACCUPLACER/TSI" for Group
  3. (UNTD Students) - Remote TSI Testing Session
  4. Follow on-screen instructions

After you register for the exam you will receive an email confirmation. Within two to three days you will receive a testing voucher with additional instructions on how to schedule your remote testing session.

Dallas Area Students Testing at UNTD for Another Institution

UNTD will test Dallas area students that plan on attending another institution.  Before registering and paying for your exam online, please contact your institution's testing center and request a remote testing voucher from that institution.  We can not administer and exam for another institution without the remote testing voucher.

  1. Select "Schedule a Testing Appointment" on the left
  2. Select "ACCUPLACER/TSI" for Group
  3. (On-Campus) ACCUPLACER or TSI for Another Institution
  4. Follow on-screen instructions to complete your registration

Additional Information

*This information has been updated to be effective Sept. 16
  • Registration: Click the "Schedule a Testing Appointment" link to schedule your exam appointment.  You will be e-mailed a RegisterBlast confirmation number; you will need this number to submit payment for your exam appointment.
  • *Cost (Per Testing Session):  For a single section: $25. For the full exam $45.
  • Things to Bring: Payment receipt, PAA Completion Verification, and valid photo identification with signature.  (Locker storage is available for small items)
  • Retesting: Students may retest at any time for the TSI Assessment as long as there is availability in the Testing Center.

Previously Tested at Another Institution: If you have previously tested at another institution, UNTD has to download your scores from the statewide database. Please visit the TSI Exemption Form webpage to complete the associated form.

Identification Requirements:  Unless otherwise required by the test vendor, examinees must present an original, valid (unexpired), government/school-issued identification, bearing both a photo and signature. The name on the roster/admissions ticket must match (excluding hyphens, accents, and spaces) the name on the identification document(s) presented. Moreover, the photograph must be recent and clearly match the candidate.

Accommodations for Examinees with Disabilities: If you require accommodations based on a professionally diagnosed and documented disability, you may submit documentation to support your request to UNTD- Disability Services.  All documentation must be submitted well in advance of your preferred testing date.

College Readiness Benchmarks on the TSIA 1: 

  • Math 350
  • Reading 351
  • Writing
    • Multiple-choice score of 340 and essay score of 4 or Multiple choice score below 340, Adult Basic Education Diagnostic score of level 4, and an essay score of 5.

College Readiness Benchmarks on the TSIA 2.0:

Mathematics: 950 or Less than 950 with a diagnostic level 6
English, Language Arts, Reading: ELAR 945+ OR Essay 4+ OR Diagnostic ELAR 5+ AND Essay 4+