TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Pre-Assessment

The purpose of this pre-assessment activity is to prepare you for completion of the TSI Assessment, which will determine whether or not you are ready to enroll in college level coursework according to the Texas Success Initiative standards for Math, Reading and Writing.

What is the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Assessment?

The TSI Assessment is a placement exam used to determine appropriate course placement. Your score determines your eligibility for college level coursework, and failure to put forth your best effort and do well on this test could add additional classes and time to complete your degree. The TSI Assessment is broken into two components; The placement test, measuring the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) for math, reading and writing. The Diagnostics portion, given as part two of a TSI module, which is designed to help identify areas of deficiency which may need interventions and/or more study time before retaking the TSI.

Who needs to take the TSI Assessment? Students planning to attend any institution of higher education in the State of Texas , unless they are exempt under Texas Success Initiative guidelines, must take the TSI Assessment prior to enrolling their first semester. Exemptions are:

** A Student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate Degree from a Texas public Institution of higher education; **A student who transfers to an Institution from a private or Independent institution of higher Education or an accredited out-of- State institution of higher education **Military exemptions and waivers.

Courses to be taken:

SAT Scores - valid 5 years from test date Composite = Critical Reading plus Math

ACT scores - valid 5 years from

test date TSI Assessment EOC

Accuplacer (prior to 8/26/2013 if previously enrolled)

Writing based courses: ENGL 1301, 1302, 2311, 2322, 2323, 2327,2328,2331 & 2332.

Composite score of 1070* & Critical Reading/Verbal 500

Composite score of 23 & English 19

Writing Essay score of a 5 or higher or Essay score of 4 & Multiple Choice of 363

English II EOC combined assessmet in both reading and writing Level 2 TEA

recommended score (4000)

Writing 80 - Essay score of 5 or higher

Reading based courses: ENGL 2311, 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2331; HIST 1301, 1302, GOVT 2305 & 2306; PSCY 2301

Composite score of 1070* & Critical Reading/Verbal 500

Composite score of 23 & English 19 Reading 351 Reading 78

All MATH courses Composite score of 1070* & Math 500

Composite score of 23 & 19 Mathematics 350

Level 2 TEA recommended score (4000) on the Algebra I EOC & a passing grade (70 or higher) in Algebra II

Elementary Algebra score of 63

***To register in SPCH, SOCI, BCIS, SPAN or other Academic courses

*** For Dual Credit Students Only -One section of the TSI Assessment must be passed for college readiness, with approval from the school district.

Certification of Completion (CERT I) Technical Courses Only

Exempt from TSI requirements until a student moves to a Certificate of Technology (CERT 2) or Associate of Applied Science degree. Programs that have eligible Certificate of Completion (Cert 1) are Child Care & Development, Cosmetology, Automotive, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Management, Office Administration, Welding

College Ready cut scores & how to become “TSI Complete”

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 College Ready

Math Score 335 or Below 336-345 346-349 350 or Higher

Reading Score 341 or Below 342-346 347-350 351 or Higher

Writing Score 349 or Below 350-356 357-362 Essay 5 or higher OR

4 and 363

If you do not achieve the desired score you can: • Retake the TSI Assessment – you can take it as many times as you’d like! • Complete developmental coursework or • See the Academic Advising & Success Center for other options you may have.

What is the test like?

The TSI Assessment is not timed but, for scheduling purposes, if you are taking all three sections plan on five to six hours. Since your scores will determine your eligibility to take college level coursework, It is important to take enough time to carefully complete the test. The test is adaptive (adjusts to your skill level) and consists of multiple- choice questions with a written essay which is typed on the computer. The cost of the exam is $39. Upon completion of the Assessment, you will be given a copy of your scores to turn into Advising and to your high school counselor.

Reading The TSI Reading Test is a multiple choice assessment

Passages are fiction or literary nonfiction and are approximately 400 words in length. Identify and analyze ideas in and elements of literary texts. Identify the main idea of a passage or comprehend explicit textual information in the passage. Make an appropriate inference about a single passage. Make connections or comparisons between two passages. Identify an author's purpose, tone, organization, or rhetorical strategies and use of evidence. Determine the meaning of words in context.

Math The TSI Mathematics and Statistics Test is a multiple choice assessment

Elementary Algebra and Functions Intermediate Algebra and Functions Geometry and Measurement Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

Writing The TSI Writing Test is a multiple choice assessment

Fragments, subordination and coordination, and parallelism. Comma splices and run-on sentences, as well as improper punctuation. Arrange the parts of sentences in the most logical way, including the use of logical transitions and the correct placement of modifying phrases.

Essay Students will create and type an essay as a part of their TSI Assessment.

Purpose and Focus — The extent to which the writer presents information in a unified and coherent manner, clearly addressing the issue. Organization and Structure— The extent to which the writer orders and connects ideas. Development and Support— The extent to which the writer develops and supports ideas. Sentence Variety and Style— The extent to which the writer crafts sentences and paragraphs demonstrating control of vocabulary, voice, and structure. Mechanical Conventions — The extent to which the writer expresses ideas using standard English. Critical Thinking— The extent to which the writer communicates a point of view and demonstrates reasoned relationships among ideas.

What’s the big deal?

There have been some instances where a student has actually graduated with their Associate’s Degree from Hill College by taking dual credit courses before receiving their high school diploma. If your long term goals include completing a degree at a university, starting at Hill College you can save $13,250 on average, on your Associates Degree. It all begins with a successful score on your TSI Assessment and signing up for dual credit classes with Hill College.

How can I prepare for the TSI Assessment?

To help you prepare for your TSI assessment:

• Complete the practice questions in the next section of this pre-asessment; and

• You can also purchase and download the TSI Study Guide from College Board at https://store.collegeboard.org/Click on Accuplacer and then TSI Web-Based Study App - Texas Version. The cost is $4.50 and can be downloaded to any ipad, iphone, Android, laptop or desktop.

• Complete the ApplyTexas application at ApplyTexas.org • Contact the testing center (either on the Hillsboro or Johnson County campus)

for an appointment to take your TSI (you cannot test without an appointment) Hillsboro: 254-659-7817 Cleburne: 817-760-5814 • Complete the practice questions in the next section of this pre-assessment. • Sign and date your “Certificate of Completion“. • Take your “Certificate of Completion“ to the Academic Advising and Success

Center. • Pay the required test fee ($39.00) to the Business Office. Payment must be made

at the location where testing will occur, is nontransferable and nonrefundable. • Arrive early for your testing appointment. • Take your test scores to the Academic Advising and Success Center.

What you will bring to the Testing Center:

What to bring: Photo ID; Your TSI Referral Form; Social Security Number; And receipt for payment. (cost of the TSI is $39.00) Payment in full is required BEFORE tests can be administered. Among the items you can’t take into the testing room with you are your cell phone or any other electronic devices. If you bring personal items with you, you will be given a locker key to store you items while you test.

To find a complete set of Testing Center Rules go to: http://www.hillcollege.edu/students/Testing/index.html