FAQ

What is the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)?

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a statewide program that requires all undergraduate students attending a Texas public institution of higher education to be assessed for college readiness in reading, writing, and math.

Are all students required to test before enrolling in classes?

Students are required to have TSI placement on their record in order to be advised and register for course work. That placement is through either taking TSI placement test or providing proof of exemption. Our list of accepted exemptions can be found here.

How do I view my TSI status?

1. Visit MySam and select the "Students" tab.

2. From here, locate the gray block titled “DegreeWorks” and choose the first link, “Access to DegreeWorks.”

3. Scroll down to locate the TSI status areas including: TSI Overall Evaluation, TSI Writing Status, TSI Reading Status, and TSI Mathematics Status.

What does "TSI Complete/College Ready" mean?

The "Complete" status indicates that your placement has been determined, either by TSI scores or exemption/waivers, and that you are able to take college-level course work without additional support courses.

You may continue with academic advising with this status. Please check the Who's My Advisor page to locate your appropriate advising team or department advisor, then book your advising appointment through CampusConnect.

What does "TSI Not Complete/Not College Ready" mean?

The "Not Complete" status indicates that we have TSI scores on file for you in that area, however, the score placement requires registering for support course work alongside your Math and/or English. The specific support courses will be indicated in this same area of your TSI status information.

You may continue with academic advising with this status. Please check the Who's My Advisor page to locate your appropriate advising team or department advisor, then book your advising appointment through CampusConnect.

What does "Testing Required" mean?

The "Testing Required" status indicates that there are currently no TSI scores or exemptions in your TSI record. If you have taken the TSI within the last five years, you may submit a TSI Score Retrieval Form here or for an exemption please submit a TSI Exemption form here.

If you have not taken the TSI or meet none of the qualifying exemptions, then you are required to take the TSI assessment.

How do I sign up to take the TSI?

Please refer to our Testing Center’s webpage to schedule an appointment to take the TSI. You may also reach them by phone at 936.295.1025 or email at test.ctr@shsu.edu.

What happens if I don’t pass the TSI?

The TSI is a placement test meaning there are no “failing” scores, however in order to be considered “College Ready” scores must meet certain minimums for each section, which you can find here. Any scores reported below this minimum require placement into developmental education coursework. Developmental education coursework placement criteria can be found here.

Why do I need to take additional courses?

Students who are not exempt from the TSI requirements and who have not earned a score to satisfy the college-readiness standard for the TSI Assessment are required to follow a developmental education plan. These plans are meant to provide additional assistance in areas where students exhibit need to ensure their success in future college-level coursework.

Why am I receiving a TSI error when registering?

Once you have been advised and begin registering for classes, the developmental courses should always be added first – meaning if you are required to take support level Math and English, your first registration attempt should include your core math, math support course, core English, and English support (INRW).

If you are required to take support level English, you may only take one additional Reading Intensive course, the list can be found here. Any attempt to add an additional Reading Intensive course after adding your English and second Reading Intensive course will trigger a TSI error.

If you receive a TSI error on that first attempt, please contact the TSI team at TSI@shsu.edu or call the Registrar’s Office at 936.294.1040.

Do my scores ever expire?

Yes, both TSI assessment scores (TSIA and TSIA2) are only valid for five years from date of testing, as stated by the Texas Adminstrative Code found here. Please note that certain exemptions expire after a certain time period, such as SAT and ACT scores which also expire five years from date of testing.

My scores have expired, what do I do?

If your scores have expired, please take note of any college course work that you may have completed and compare with our list of courses that would meet the placement requirements found here. If you have not completed any of the listed course work, you will be required to retake the TSI.

What is the Texas College Bridge?

The Texas College Bridge exemption is a self-paced prepatory program offered by certain high schools which allow students to complete their Math and/or ELAR (English, Language, Arts, and Reading) TSI requirements while still in high school. Successful completion of these programs provide students with a TSI waiver/exemption that lasts two years from the date of high school graduation. Please contact your high school to find out whether or not they offer this program. If you have completed one or both of these program courses, please submit your completion certificates using our TSI Exemption Form.

I retook my TSI and got a higher score, now what?

If you retook your TSI and achieved higher TSI scores than a prior attempt, you may submit an additional TSI Score Retrieval Form or email your scores to TSI@shsu.edu. If your scores changed your placement, please contact your Academic Advisor to determine your new placement.

My placement has changed, but I am already registered for developmental course work.

If you retook your TSI and achieved higher TSI scores than a prior attempt which now places you in College Ready Math and/or English, please contact the TSI team at TSI@shsu.edu with your SAM ID and let us know that your placement has changed for the semester and we will move you into the appropriate course.

Please note:Any course movement that involves dropping one course to be added to another must be done prior to Census (the 12th class day) to ensure you are not charged for the new course you are adding. Any course dropped after Census would be considered a Q Drop which would mean both the dropped course and the new placement course would be billed to your student account.

Frequently Asked Questions