Admissions & Aid Testing Center TSI Assessment

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 Refresher, Co-Requisite, or developmental course and will 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 must complete the GO FAARR module and bring the appropriate documentation to the Testing Center.

TSI Assessment Exemption Request Form

What if I Already Took the TSI Assessment?

Cross Institutional Reporting Form - Use this form if you need our office to pull your TSI Assessment scores electronically from another institution.

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 “Start Here” tab, checklist items 1, 2, and 3 must be completed before you are eligible to test
  6. Click on the “ENROLL” button to begin & complete the GO FAARR module
  7. Click on the “ENROLL” button to begin & complete the Test Prep module
  8. A score of 6 out of 10 is required on the end-of-module quizzes
  9. When items 1, 2, & 3 on the checklist are complete, schedule your testing appointment.

Need to take the TSI off campus, click on Distance Education 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
  • 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 GO FAARR and Test Prep modules prior to testing
  • You may purchase the exam prior to your appointment at ALAMO COLLEGES TEST CENTERS - SPC
  • 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.

Study Links