Testing Center

TSI Assessment

What is the TSI Assessment?

As of August 26, 2013, an institution of higher education shall use the TSI Assessment as the only approved assessment instrument for all students attending a public college (TAC §4.55-4.56). The Testing Center is here to assist you with the enrollment process and before registering for your first college course, you must meet the requirements for the Texas Success Initiative (TAC §4.54). The state-mandated program is designed to help determine if you are ready for college-level course work: 

• ELAR = 945+ with an essay of 5+ or ELAR < 945 with an essay of 5+ and Diagnostic of 5 or 6
• Mathematics = 950 + or < 950 an Diagnostic = 6

Students who score below the cut scores are placed in the appropriate Co-Requisite or developmental course and need to earn a "C" or better.

TSI Student Informative Brochure

What is TSIA 2.0?

TSIA 2.0

The TSIA 2.0 (TSIA2) launched on January 11, 2021. The updated assessment includes the following enhancements:

• Integration of separate Reading and Writing assessments to one English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) assessment
• Students not meeting college readiness benchmarks will now have one diagnostic assessment
• Free, online library of TSIA2 learning resources for instructional and practice materials that relate to the objectives of the assessments

Am I Exempt for the TSI Assessment?

All students not meeting the exemptions, exceptions, and waivers (see table 1) as defined must take the TSI Assessment as a diagnostic tool to determine reading, writing, and mathematics basic skills. All students who qualify for an exemption, exception or waiver do not need to complete the Test Prep module. Please submit the appropriate documentation to the Testing Center.

TSI Exemption Request Form

What if I have already taken the TSI Assessment?

If you have previously taken the TSI Assessment within the last 5 years, we may be able to retrieve your scores.

TSI Cross Institutional Reporting Form

Prior to Testing

1. Start your application by reviewing Ready, Set, Apply & click on the Apply Texas link.
2. Check your email to learn how to access your ACES online student portal
3. Submit your official high school transcript, official GED certificate or official college transcript(s)
4. Go to our college website www.alamo.edu/spc and login to ACES
5. Select the Enrollment Card then select the Enrollment Checklist. 
6. Click on Complete Test Prep.
7. The Test Prep module must be complete prior to the test. 
8. Once the checklist items are complete, schedule your testing appointment.

Need to take the TSI off campus, click on Distance Education tab for further instructions.

* Non-Alamo College students must complete a pre-assessment activity and submit proof of completion prior to taking the TSI Assessment at any of our test sites.

Special Testing Needs

Students with documented disabilities may qualify for testing accommodations on the TSI Assessment. Documentation must be presented to the Disability Services (DS) Office in advance. For more information regarding documentation requirements, students may call DS at 210-486-2199 or 210-486-2411.

What Do I Need the Day of Testing?

• You must have a valid photo ID (copies/pictures are not accepted)
• You must have an application on file at one of the Alamo Colleges
• You will need your Banner ID (Don't know your Banner ID? Call SPC IT at 210-486-2777 or District IT at 210-486-0555 to find out your Banner ID.)
• You will need the fee for the test or a payment receipt (see Test Fees)
• All students need to complete the Test Prep modules prior to testing
• Remember the following items are prohibited in the test center lab(s) and will be secured in a designated locker: cell phones (possession or use during the test session), calculators, hats and headwear (except those for religious purposes), food or drinks, printed or handwritten material(s), unauthorized aids, or watches.

TSI Study Links

• TSIA2 ELAR Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Essay Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Mathematics Sample Questions
• TSI Study App
• TSIA2 Learning Resources
• The Khan Academy

GED Testing

St. Philip’s College is designated as an Authorized Pearson Vue Test Center for the administration of the General Educational Development Computer Based Test (GED-CBT) under the guidelines of the GED Testing Services and Texas Education Agency (TEA). Tests may only be administered by authorized testing centers under TEC 7.11 and TAC 89.41-47.

High School Equivalency Score Requirement

GED: A minimum total score of 580 points with no individual test score less than 145 on each of the four exams.

Required items the day of the test

1. Government issued identification (Texas DL/Texas ID, Military ID, Passport/Visa, or Consulate ID)
2. Proof of Texas Residency (if you do not have a Texas ID/DL)
3. Be 18 years of age or older (for age exceptions visit TEA eligibility requirements)
   
   

GED Records

• GED Certificate Search
• GED Certificate/Transcript/Duplicate Request
  
  

Contact Information

The GED Testing Center is located in the St. Philip’s College Welcome Center, room 207B. We administer the Official GED in room 206B.

• Office & Information: 210-486-2525
• GED Test Center#: 70376

CLEP Testing

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) through College Board is a computer-based test that provides an opportunity for students to obtain college credit courses in areas that they may have attained college level proficiency.

Visit the St. Philip's College Catalog for a listing of CLEP courses offered and accepted.

Registration and Fees

To Register for the CLEP Test:

• Complete CLEP registration by creating a College Board Account
• Create a College Board CLEP Account (Site Code 06642)
• Pay the $97 College Board CLEP Fee.  
• Print your Registration Receipt.
• Schedule your appointment
• $20 SPC CLEP Fee due on the day of testing.
• Pay SPC CLEP Administration Fee

The Day of Your CLEP Exam

• A valid government issued ID is required each time you take the CLEP exam.
• Bring a printed copy of your registration ticket.
• Review that you have completed the steps above in preparation for your CLEP Exam.

For more information regarding the CLEP, visit www.clep.collegeboard.org. For the CLEP Identification policy and the next steps, visit the CLEP College Board "Taking the Test" page.

Texas Commission on Fire Protection Exams

What is the TCFP Mission?   

The mission of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection is to aid in the protection of lives and property of Texas citizens through the development and enforcement of recognized professional standards for individuals and the fire service. The commission's authority is defined by TX Gov't Code Chapter 419. The commission's strategic plan includes two major goals: The agency fulfills its first goal by providing education and assistance to the fire service and fulfills its second goal through three program areas by enforcing statewide fire service standards.

When registering for your online TCFP test, please be sure to contact your preferred online testing center for general information AFTER application is approved and invoices paid. If you need to register, please do so with FIDO.

If you have any questions contact training approval and testing at testing@tcfp.texas.gov.

TCFP DOES NOT ALLOW ANY CERTIFICATION TESTING OUTSIDE THE STATE OF TEXAS.

TCFP Online Exams

Testing Days and Times

TCFP exams are offered Tuesday-Thursday at specific times (except for holidays and college-related closures). 

Registration and Proctoring Fee

Steps for taking the TCFP exams at St. Philip's College:

1. Testing Application is APPROVED and the TCFP Invoice is paid thru FIDO.
2. CLICK HERE to make a payment before scheduling an appointment. Fees are non-refundable/non-transferable-$25.00*.
3. Schedule your TCFP exam online with St. Philip's College at TCFP APPOINTMENTS.
4. Arrive 30 minutes early to check-in.
5. Our TCFP test-proctoring fee is $25.00 per exam and must be paid each time you take the exam which is non-refundable/non-transferable. 

*The TCFP testing fee is separate from the Testing Center Proctoring Fee.

Location and Parking

We are located in the Welcome Center, 2nd Floor, Room 207B. Please sign into our Kiosk when arriving.

Items Needed

On the day of the test you will have to bring your valid Government/State issued Photo ID and a printed copy of your TCFP Online Exam Eligibility Form. 

Instructions for FIDO to print TCFP Online Exam Eligibility Form:

1. Log into your FIDO account.
2. Click on the 3 bars that open the navigation menu, choose Records.
3. Click on the Testing Section in the green navigation bar.
4. Scroll to your authorized exam (denoted by a blue highlight) and print the Eligibility Form.

Items Not Allowed 

The following items are NOT ALLOWED in the testing room: electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, pagers, photographic devices, etc.), food or drinks, dictionaries, jackets, hats, etc.

If you require additional information about the TCFP training approval and testing, email them at testing@tcfp.texas.gov or call them directly at (512) 936-3838.

Texas Commission on Fire Protection
William B. Travis Building
1701 Congress Ave Suite 1-105
Austin, TX  78701

If you need further assistance in regards to testing at St. Philip's College, please contact Testing Center at spc-testcenter@alamo.edu.

Visit our Market Place at ALAMO COLLEGES TEST CENTERS - SPC to pay your exam fee.

TSI at No Cost*

*The TSIA 2 is currently available at no cost for students that have a St. Philip's College application and only for the initial test administration.  This does not apply for retest. Students needing TSIA 2 for the purpose of Dual Credit or Early Admit are not eligible for No Cost option.

TSI Assessment:

GED Test:

Correspondence:

CLEP Fee to College Board:

CLEP Fee to Test Center:

Submitting TSI scores to SPC:

Since COVID-19, SPC's Testing Center will only be accepting TSI scores electronically through CSV files. A link below has been provide for you with the Auto Upload instructions. Please contact our office for assistance or to set up a training session.

• DC & ECHS Professional Development Spring 2024
• DC & ECHS Presentation Fall 2024
• Auto Upload Instructions
• Submit to spc-testcenter@alamo.edu
• TSI Common Entry Requirements

Study Links

• TSIA2 ELAR Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Essay Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Mathematics Sample Questions
• TSI Study App
• TSIA2 Learning Resources
• The Khan Academy