NEW TSIA FEES IN EFFECT
Effective 11/05/2024, TSI fees have changed. The new fees are as follows:
- ELAR (with Essay) & Math: $24
- ELAR with Essay: $16
- ELAR without Essay: $8
- Essay: $8
- Math: $8
Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is the current college placement exam. It is computer-adaptive, which means that the test adapts to the examinee's ability level. The TSIA2 is utilized to determine college course placement.
The TSIA2 consists of the following sections:
- English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR)
- Integrated Reading and Writing
- ELAR exam may include an Essay
- Mathematics
The exam is not timed. Students work at their own pace. Any multiple choice section of the exam can be saved; the Essay section must be completed in one day. If an exam is saved, it must be completed within 14 days of the start of the exam. Test scores are generated upon total completion of exam.
Students needing accommodations for the exam may contact Disability Services in order to request accommodations. Disability Services can be reached at: 956-721-5137 (Ft. McIntosh Campus, Lerma Pena room 205 or South Campus, Zaffirini Library room B209).
Policy and Procedure
LC students attemtping the TSIA2 exam at Laredo College must have a Palomino ID (PID) number assigned. It is strongly recommended that students meet with their academic advisor before testing if it is their first time attemtping the TSIA2 in order to obtain the TSI Testing Ticket. The academic advisor will determine what section of the TSIA2 a student needs to take and review TSIA2 exemptions, if applicable.
To view a list of TSIA exemptions, click here.
High school students who are part of the Dual Enrollment program at LC may take the exam on campus. High school students may obtain their TSI Testing Ticket at the Assessment Center. A student will need to know their PID (if applicable) or their high school ID number in order to request a TSI Testing Ticket. Students will be required to show a photo ID when requesting a TSI Testing Ticket as well as for any testing purposes. For questions regarding Dual Enrollment, please contact the Dual Enrollement Office at: 956-794-4113 or click here for more information.
Any student attempting the TSIA2 at LC will need a photo ID in order to be admitted for testing, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Score Information
TSIA2 Readiness Scores are as follows:
Math College Ready Scores
950-990
OR
910-949 AND Diagnostic Level 6
ELAR College Ready Scores
945-990 with Essay score 5-8
OR
910-944 AND Diagnostic Level 5 or 6 AND Essay score 5-8
Testing Fees
- Initial Assessment: $24 (ELAR & Math)
- Re-testing:
- $24 ELAR (with Essay) & Math
- $16 ELAR with Essay
- $8 ELAR without Essay
- $8 Essay
- $8 Math
All exam fees must be paid at the Bursar Office prior to testing. Fees must be paid every time students attempt an exam.
Testing Process
In order to test, students must:
- Complete the mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) from home. The PAA is required ONLY if a student is taking the TSIA2 for the first time. The PAA can be completed at: https://practice.accuplacer.org/login
- Obtain TSI Testing Ticket from the academic advisors at the Advising Center (Ft. McIntosh: LP 201 / South Campus: BH 131) or from the Assessment Center (Ft. McIntosh: LP 227 / South Campus: BH A245)
- If the student is still in high school, they must obtain the TSI Testing Ticket at the Assessment Center. Student must know their PID (if applicable) or high school ID number in order to be issued a permit for the exam. Student will be required to show a photo ID when requesting an Assessment Permit.
- Process payment for exam fees at the Bursar Office (Ft. McIntosh: LP 101 / South Campus: BH A117)
- Report to Assessment Center during walk-in hours with the following items:
- Paid TSI Testing Ticket
- Photo ID (cannot be a screenshot or image of your ID on your phone/electronic device or photocopy of your ID. You must bring a physical ID card)
Exam Schedules
Ft. McIntosh Campus
The TSIA2 is administered on a walk-in basis only. No appointments necessary. The walk-in hours are:
Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 1:00pm
Students arriving past 1:00pm will not be signed in to start their exam.
Friday
8:00am - 8:30am
Students arriving past 8:30am will not be signed in to start their exam. Only the Math exam can be administered on Fridays.
South Campus
The TSIA2 is administered on a walk-in basis only. No appointments necessary. The walk-in hours are:
Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 1:00pm
Students arriving past 1:00pm will not be signed in to start their exam.
Friday
8:00am - 8:30am
Students arriving past 8:30am will not be signed in to start their exam. Only the Math exam can be administered on Fridays.
TSIA2 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between the TSIA and the TSIA 2.0 exams?
The TSIA 2.0 launched January 11, 2021 and it is the updated version of the TSIA exam; the content of the new exam is largely the same as the previous TSIA. One of the new features of the exam is that the TSIA2 combines the Reading and Writing sections into one: the English and Language Arts (ELAR) section. The score range has also been updated: 910-990; Essay: 1-8.
What are the benchmarks for college-readiness?
Benchmarks for College-Readiness in Math:
950-990 OR 910-949 AND Diagnostic Level 6
Benchmarks for College-Readiness in ELAR:
945-990 with an Essay score 5-8 OR 910-944 AND Diagnostic Level 5-6 AND Essay score 5-8
Will Dual Enrollment students be allowed to take the TSIA2 exam at LC?
Yes. Dual Enrollment students may take the exam at Laredo College. If you are still in high school, please contact your respective high school administrator/counselor and find out which section of the TSIA2 you need to take. You will need to request a TSI Testing Ticket from the Assessment Center in order to take the exam at LC. You will also need a photo ID the day of the test, along with the TSI Testing Ticket issued by the Assessment Center. Please contact your respective high school administrator/counselor to see if you are eligible for TSIA2 testing. It is important to first check with your respective high school administrator/counselor if there are any deadlines to take the TSIA2.
If I've taken the TSI in high school, can I use those scores for placement purposes?
Yes, but TSIA scores are only valid for 5 years from the date of testing. You must have passed the Reading, Writing, and Math sections. If you did not pass either of the exams and will be attending LC, you will need to take the new TSIA2 exam. For placement purposes/questions, please contact the Advising Center at 956-721-5135 (Ft. McIntosh), 956-794-4135 (South Campus).
What if I don't have a Palomino ID number?
If you're not sure if your have a Palomino ID number or don't know your PID number, please contact the Office of Admissions at 956-721-5109.
If you are a Dual Enrollment student, you may test using your high school ID number.
How do I find out what sections of the TSIA2 I need to take?
If you already graduated high school and are an LC incoming freshman:
- You must visit your academic advisor at LC so that they can review your records and TSI Exemptions (if applicable) to let you know what TSIA2 section you are pending
If you are a high school student:
- You must visit your high school counselor so that they can tell you what section of the TSIA2 you are pending
How long is the TSIA2 exam?
The TSIA2 is not a timed exam. Students work at their own pace. The TSIA2 can be a lengthy exam, so be prepared to spend anywhere from 2 to more than 5 hours on the test. There is no lunch break for the exam.
Do I need an ID in order to take the TSIA2?
YES. You will need to show a photo ID for any and all testing purposes. Photos/screenshots/image captures/photocopies of IDs are NOT acceptable forms of identification. Your ID must be current (NOT EXPIRED) and must have a RECENT & RECOGNIZABLE photo of you. You must show your ID every time you wish to test, even if you are continuing a test session. For a list of acceptable IDs, please contact the Assessment Center at 956-721-5418 or 956-794-4418.
What is the cost of the TSIA2 exam?
Exam fees are: $24 for the Complete test (ELAR & Math), $16 for the ELAR (with Essay), $8 for the ELAR Multiple Choice (No Essay), $8 for the Essay only, and $8 for the Math.
Can I retake the TSIA2?
Yes. You may retake the TSIA2 if you did not meet benchmark scores. You may retake the exam as needed or as recommended by your academic advisor. It is not recommended to take the exam multiple times in one day. It is highly recommended that you review the TSIA2 Learning Resources (located on your test score report) before attempting the exam again.
When will I get my TSIA2 scores?
TSIA2 scores are available upon completion of your exam. You will receive a copy of your test scores as soon as you finish your test. If you save the exam, your scores will be available once the exam is completed in its entirety.
I lost my test scores. How can I get another copy of them?
You can request a copy of your TSIA scores in person at the Assessment Center at Ft. McIntosh or South Campus. You will be required to show a photo ID for any and all score releases. Only the person who took the exam can request test scores. We will not release test scores to anyone other than the test-taker, NO EXCEPTIONS. Scores will not be released by phone, e-mail, or fax. There is no charge for duplicate copies of scores.
Can I bring a calculator or dictionary for the exam?
No. You may not use a personal calculator during the exam. The Math section has a virtual calculator you may use. Dictionaries or any other testing aids are not allowed during the exam. You will be provided scratch paper and pencils at the testing center.
I need my TSIA2 scores to be sent to another institution. How do I do that?
The TSIA2 Accuplacer system is designed so that any institution in Texas can access your TSIA scores, even if you took the exam at a different Texas college/university. Scores are no longer sent out to other institutions by postal mail. You must visit the testing center at the institution needing your scores and request a Cross Institution Search of your scores. You will need to know the name of the school/school district where you tested. You may need to show identification for score retrieval; please verify your institution's score release policy. By CollegeBoard policy, the institution you visit should be able to do a Cross Institution Search of your TSIA scores as long as that institution is located in Texas and as long as the institution where you took the TSIA is also located in Texas.
