College Entrance Exams

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Students planning to attend a 4 year university, community college, or junior college will need to take a college entrance exam. 

4 Year Universities often require the SAT or ACT but please check with the institutions website to see their specific requirements. Some may also have a minimum score for admission. 

Community Colleges and Junior Colleges will accept the SAT or ACT but if in Texas will also accept the TSI Assessment. 

The TSI Assessment is part of the Texas Success Initiative program. It is designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college level course work in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics. If you are an incoming college student in Texas, you are required to take the TSI Assessment unless you are exempt.  Exemptions are listed below. 

ACT: 23 composite with 19 on English (to exempt reading and writing) and 19 on math (to exempt math)

SAT: 480 on Evidence Based Reading and Writing (to exempt reading and writing) and 530 on Math (to exempt math)

Rains HS will pay for one TSI and one ACT or SAT administration for each student during their junior or senior year.  Rains HS will also pay for one retest when a student fails to meet TSI Criteria in ELA/Reading and/or Math. 

What is the difference between the SAT and the ACT?

TSI Testing

TSI Assessment 

M-F 8:00 am- 12:00pm
Sign up @ RHS Counseling & Career Center

TSI will not be administered the week prior to and during STAAR testing.

More Information

What are passing scores for the TSI?

As of 1/11/2021, the “Passing” Scores for the TSI are:

ELAR (Reading & Writing)

Math

Classification 945 – 990 AND Essay 5 – 8

OR

Classification 910 – 944 AND Diagnostic 5 – 6 AND Essay 5 – 8

Classification 950 – 990

OR

Classification 910 – 949 AND Diagnostic 6

What happens if I do not pass the TSI on my first try?

You can retake the TSI as many times as you need to and you will only need to retest the sections that you did not pass.  An example would be that if you passed the Reading and Writing sections of the TSI, you would only need to retake the Math portion of the TSI, not the entire test.

Can I receive an exemption/waiver for the TSI?

Students who meet one of the following conditions are exempt or partially exempt from taking an initial assessment test. In each case, Texas State must receive official proof in order to process the exemption. ACT, SAT or STAAR scores must be part of the student's Texas State record. Official score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions (these scores may be submitted on your official high school transcript). Previous course work must have been transferred to Texas State.