Welcome to Texas A&M University-Texarkana! Online Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)

What is the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment? The TSI Assessment is a state mandate that requires testing to measure college-level readiness in reading, mathematics, and writing. Your test scores will not impact your admission to A&M-Texarkana; but you will be required to meet with an Advisor and enroll in a mandatory developmental education course(s) each semester if your scores do not meet certain requirements. The TSI Assessment is completed entirely on the computer. If you need the writing portion of the test, you will type your essay. The TSI Assessment is a computer-adaptive test, which means test questions are based on your responses to previous questions. Questions will either increase or decrease in difficulty depending on how you respond. You may also be given an additional diagnostic test in a particular subject to provide more detailed placement information. You will be charged a fee when you take the assessment. The test is untimed, but you should allow enough time to finish all sections. Each section can take up to two hours.

TSI Exemptions Students are exempt from individual areas of testing if any one of the following is met. ACT and SAT scores are valid for a period of five (5) years from date taken. TAKS test scores are valid for a period of three (3) years from date taken. Click THECB 4.54 for detail exemptions. (*SAT Composite = Critical Reading plus Math) Exemptions are NOT automatic. If you believe you are exempt, but your overall TSI status is not listed as complete, you MUST provide supporting documentation BEFORE you attend orientation. READING ACT: Composite 23 AND English 19 SAT: Composite 1070* AND Critical Reading/Verbal 500 TAKS: ELA 2200 & Writing Essay score 3 STAAR: End-of-course score of 2 on English III MATH ACT: Composite 23 AND Math 19 SAT: Composite 1070* AND Math 500 TAKS: Math 2200 STAAR: End-of-course score of 2 on Algebra II WRITING ADDITIONAL EXEMPTONS Veteran Status Active Military Duty or Reserve Status for at least 3 years Appropriate college coursework from another accredited institution Associate's or Bachelor's Degree

Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) Before you can take the TSI Assessment, you MUST complete the PAA. You will be prompted to answer at the start of the TSI Assessment that you completed the PAA and you MUST answer “Yes”. The PAA is only for students who need to complete the TSI Assessment. Click TSI Student Informational Brochure for additional information. Once you have completed the PAA, you will be redirected to a page that asks you for some basic contact information. Be sure to complete this page! After you are done, you will receive an email confirming your completion. IMPORTANT: Be sure to print out this email and bring it with you to take the TSI Assessment.

TSI Assessment Components

Demonstrating College Readiness (CR) The following minimum cut scores will meet the TSI standard, which will demonstrate College Readiness (CR) and allow registration into college-level coursework in that subject area: TSI MATH PLACEMENT 350 TSI READING PLACEMENT 351 TSI WRITING A score of 5 or better on Essay; or A score of 4 on the Essay combined with a score of 363 or better on the Multiple-Choice. (RH) Emphasize physical location to students – office is in Texarkana.

Why should you prepare for the TSI Assessment?

Developmental Education Intervention A&M-Texarkana provides course-based developmental education for all students who do not meet the minimum passing standard (College Readiness) for the TSI Assessment. The traditional options include course-based instruction to increase students’ skills and readiness for college level courses in math, reading, and writing (math and integrated reading and writing). The following courses are not considered college-level courses, do not hold college-level semester credit hour (SCH) designations, and are not calculated into the grade point average (GPA). Students cannot drop a developmental education course unless they satisfy the TSI Assessment requirement. Click Developmental Educations Courses to view courses offered at A&M-Texarkana.

Non-Course-Based-Options (NCBOs) In compliance with House Bill 1, Section 50, 81st Texas Legislature, A&M-Texarkana began piloting non-course-based remediation to students on a limited basis.  To qualify for an NCBO, students must earn a minimum score on the TSI Assessment and receive a Learning Path.  For the successful completion of an NCBO, students must sign an NCBO contract agreeing to collaborate with their academic advisor to select appropriate goals and campus resources, and they must work with their Content Instructors.  NCBO-responsible students may need to collaborate regularly with Tutors, the Testing Center Coordinator, and the Director of Academic Advising and Student Success.  Students must complete NCBOs within 10 weeks of a fall/spring/summer academic calendar.

TSI Assessment Sample Tests and Study Tools Click TSI Sample Questions and Sample Essays for documents containing sample TSI Assessment questions. Test Prep Mini Practice and Printable Tests online for multiple placement tests This site also offers ACT Practice Tests, Accuplacer Practice Tests, and SAT Practice Tests. TSI Web-Based Study App "Learn As You Go" tests provide you with explanation of the correct or incorrect responses. Sample Tests help you experience what a real test may be like on test day. $4.50 provides you with 6-months of access to this resource. Virtual Math Lab Practice Tests Online that can be printed out and practiced on your own time. Reviews for all the important stuff you need to know to take the test. Study help for Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Online Accuplacer study sessions. S.O.S. Mathematics Free online reviews and lessons for Algebra. Exercises in Math Readiness Interactive and online Exercises for Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Understanding Algebra Online lessons and chapters to explain concepts in Algebra. Google “Free Practice TSI Assessments” and try YouTube to assist with preparation.

Academic and Student Affairs Resources Advising Services: Located within the Student Success Center on the third floor of the University Center (UC330D), our Academic Advisors are committed to helping you meet your best personal, academic, and career potential. Disability Services: Located in the Student Life Office on the first floor of the University Center (UC126D), Disability Services assist students who need disability accommodations. John F. Moss Library: Located on the third and fourth floors of the University Center, the library has a variety of academic resources, including study skills and testing materials. Student Success Center: Located on the third floor of the University Center (UC330D), the Success Center provides tutoring, supplemental instruction, seminars on academic and other student success subjects, and many other helpful and fun programs. Enrollment Services: Located on the second floor of the University Center (UC260), Enrollment Services includes the following offices: recruitment, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and the Registrar. Veterans Services Center: Located on the second floor of the University Center (UC258), the Veterans Affairs Office supports our U.S. Military Veterans and their dependents through strong relationships with Veterans organizations and community groups. TRIO Student Support Services: Located on the third floor of the University Center (UC328), TRIO SSS offers support that is free and available to any student who completes the application and qualifies for the program.  Academic Support and Coaching  Financial & Economic Literacy Education  Advising  Professional Development  Cultural/Educational Events  Supplemental Grant Aid Federal eligibility guidelines apply if you are at least ONE of the following: First generation (parents or guardians do not have a bachelor's degree) Low-income (according to federal guidelines) Documented Disability

TSI Assessment(s) Fees Fees can be paid online via Pay Online and clicking appropriate icon, Cash, Check or Money Order payable to A&M-Texarkana or TAMUT. Fee(s) nonrefundable. $15.00 – 1 Assessment $30.00 – 2 Assessments $40.00 – 3 (All) Assessments $5.00 will be assessed upon your 2nd reschedule request .

Taking the TSI Assessment(s) Schedule Your Test (24-hours notice required) – If testing at A&M-Texarkana contact the Testing Center at testingcenter@tamut.edu or (903) 223-3072 with your date/time preference and availability will be confirmed. Arrange Testing Accommodations if you are eligible (A&M-Texarkana) – Students with disabilities can contact the Disabilities Office at (903) 223-3062 or Carl Greig at carl.greig@tamut.edu. Accommodations MUST be in place one (1) week prior to scheduled appointment. Pay TSI Assessment Fees – If you need the TSI Assessment, pay your assessment fees prior to or on day of assessment. Save the printed receipt as proof you paid. Request a fee waiver, if eligible.

Taking the TSI Assessment(s) cont… Bring the following documents: Official Photo ID Pre-Assessment Activity Completion Certificate Testing fee, receipt or waiver, if eligible

Upon Completion of the TSI Assessment(s) Your test scores are usually available immediately upon completion of the TSI Assessment(s). If your test scores place you at college level, you will be able to proceed to college level courses and not need developmental education courses. This will save you time and money. If your test scores do not meet the college readiness requirement, you will meet with an advisor to review your scores and your developmental placement. You must be aware of the drop dates for the term as you will not be able to drop a course(s) after the specified drop date. Additionally, the decision to drop this course may have the potential to affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy, please contact/visit the financial aid office at finaid@tamut.edu or (903) 334-6601.

Retaking the TSI Assessment(s) If you are not satisfied with your score, you may retake the TSI Assessment(s) at any time. However, before you attempt to retest, it is strongly recommended that you set aside time for additional study. It is very unlikely that your score will improve greatly without additional review and study. Before you choose this option, be aware that: You will need to pay for the assessment again, and the same fees apply. The questions will not be the same though the test will cover the same topics.

Remote Testing for TSI Assessment(s) Remote testing is an option for freshman/incoming and transfer students who reside out of state or in Texas who plan to attend A&M-Texarkana and are unable to travel to A&M-Texarkana to test. Students MUST adhere to the Remote Testing Site policies regarding testing at the other institution. Fees for remote testing are the student’s responsibility and are nonrefundable. Please contact the Remote Site to ensure the institution will proctor the exam. To locate a Remote Site, you should Google the closest institution to your zip code. You are responsible for any fees charged by the Remote Site. Once you have paid for the TSI Assessment at A&M-Texarkana and selected the Remote Site, please contact A&M-Texarkana’s Testing Center so that a Voucher can be created for your TSI Assessment(s), which is automatically emailed to you and the Remote Site you choose to take the TSI Assessment.

Click the Quiz button to edit this quiz

You are almost finished! PAA Certification Completion Form You MUST complete the next page to receive an email for your PAA Certification Completion form, which you need to take the TSI Assessment(s).

Click the Quiz button to edit this quiz

Many thanks for completing the PAA!!! Welcome to the Eagle Family!!! Remember to Study!!! Welcome to the Eagle Family!!!