TSI Exemptions

According to 19 TAC §4.54, the following students shall be exempt from the requirements of the TSI, whereby exempt students shall not be required to provide any additional demonstration of college readiness and shall be allowed to enroll in any entry level freshman course. Download a printable version of the TSI Exemptions.

  1. ACT
    Composite score of 23 or higher with at least a 19 on both English and math sections
  2. SAT
    • Administered prior to March 5, 2016. Combined verbal and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal test and math test.
    • Administered on or after March 5, 2016. A minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment.
    • Administered on or after March 5, 2016. A minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.
    • There is no combined score for the SAT test administered on or after March 5, 2016.
  3. TAKS
    Minimum score of 2200 on both the English and/or math sections with at least a 3 on the writing component of the 11th grade TAKS (for a period of 3 years from the date of testing)
  4. STAAR Scores for English. A minimum score of Level 2 on the English III STAR end-of-course (EOC) for reading and writing.
  5. STAAR Scores for Mathematics. A minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II STAR end-of-course (EOC) for mathematics.
  6. Previous Degree
    A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
  7. Transfer
    Transfer from a private or independent institution or an accredited out-of-state institution and has satisfactorily completed college level coursework as determined by the receiving institution.
  8. Certificate.
    Enroll in a certificate program of one year or less (Level One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public community college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.
  9. Military.
    Veterans and active duty personnel serving for at least 3 years preceding enrollment.
  10. Non-degree Seeker
    An institution may exempt a non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking student.
  11. ESOL Waiver
    An institution may grant a temporary waiver from the assessment required under this title for students with demonstrated limited English proficiency in order to provide appropriate ESOL/ESL coursework and interventions. The waiver must be removed prior to the student attempting 15 credit hours of developmental ESOL coursework or attempting entry-level freshman coursework, whichever comes first, at which time the student would be administered the TSI Assessment. Funding limits as defined in Texas Education Code, §51.3062(l)(1) and (2) for developmental education still apply. Any student who has been determined to be exempt in mathematics, reading, and/or writing shall not be required to enroll in developmental coursework and/or interventions in the corresponding area of exemption.