If students meet one of the following criterions, they will not be required to challenge the TSI Assessment (TSIA) and will be eligible to enroll in college level courses relevant to their program and major.
|
Condition |
Criteria |
Additional Information |
|
ACT Exemption Taken before Feb. 15, 2023 |
⬥ Composite score of 23 or higher and ⬥ Minimum of 19 on Math section for Math readiness ⬥ Minimum of 19 on English test for Reading & Writing readiness |
Scores expire 5 years from date of testing; full or partial exemption may be granted. |
|
ACT Exemption Taken on or after Feb. 15, 2023 |
⬥ Minimum score of 22 on Math section for Math readiness ⬥ Minimum combined score of 40 on English & Reading sections for Reading & Writing readiness |
Scores expire 5 years from date of testing; full or partial exemption may be granted. |
|
SAT Exemption |
⬥ Minimum score of 530 on Math section for Math readiness ⬥ Minimum score of 480 on the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) for Reading & Writing readiness |
Scores expire 5 years from date of testing; full or partial exemption may be granted. |
|
STAAR Exemption |
⬥ Minimum score of 4000 on the Algebra II (2) STAAR End-of-Course Exam for Math readiness ⬥ Minimum score of 4000 on the English III (3) STAAR End-of-Course Exam for Reading & Writing readiness |
Scores expire 5 years from date of testing; full or partial exemption may be granted. |
|
GED Exemption |
⬥ Minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test for Math readiness ⬥ Minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test for Reading & Writing readiness |
Scores expire after 5 years; full or partial exemption may be granted. While the date of testing can be anytime within the 5-year time frame, per THECB rules, applicability for TSI purposes and placements starts 5/12/2021. |
|
HiSET Exemption |
⬥ Minimum score of 15 on the Mathematics subtest for Math readiness ⬥ Minimum score of 15 on the Reading subtest and minimum score of 15 on the Writing subtest, and minimum score of 4 on the essay for Reading & Writing readiness. |
Scores expire after 5 years; full or partial exemption may be granted. While the date of testing can be anytime within the 5-year time frame, per THECB rules, applicability for TSI purposes and placements starts 5/12/2021. Exams dating after 08/31/2021 will not be eligible for exemption. |
|
HB5 College Prep Course Exemption (2023 – 2024) |
⬥ 82 or better on college prep Math course (no TSIA required) for Math readiness or ⬥ 75 - 81 on college prep Math course with TSIA2 Math score of 947 - 949 or Diagnostic Level of 5 for Math readiness or ⬥ 75 - 81 on college prep Math course with TSIA Math score of 348-349 for Math readiness ⬥ 82 on college prep ELA course (no TSIA required) for Reading & Writing readiness or ⬥ 75 - 81 on college prep ELA course with TSIA2 ELAR score of 943-944 and 4 on Essay for Reading & Writing readiness or ⬥ 75 - 81 on college prep ELA course with TSIA Reading score of 349 - 350 and 4 on Essay for Reading & Writing readiness |
As per MOU, these criteria are applicable to students who completed college-prep courses in the 2023-2024 academic year and expire 24 months from the date of high school graduation. Students must enroll in ENGL 1301 and college-level Math course within the first year of their enrollment. |
|
HB5 College Prep Course Exemption (2024 – 2025) |
⬥ 70 or better on college prep Math course for Math readiness (no TSIA required) ⬥ 70 or better on college prep ELA course for Reading & Writing readiness (no TSIA required) |
As per MOU, these criteria are applicable to students who completed college-prep courses in the 2024-2025 academic year and expire 24 months from the date of high school graduation. Students must enroll in ENGL 1301 or other LC-approved course as well as a college-level Math course within the first year of their enrollment. |
|
Military Exemption |
⬥ Must be a veteran, active duty personnel, or student who is serving or, for at least 3 years preceding enrollment, has served as a member of a reserve component of the U.S. armed services |
The Veterans Affairs Office certifies and issues a TSI-Military Exemption Form to student, which must be submitted to the Advising Center. This gives student a full exemption (Reading, Writing & Math). |
|
Degree Earned Exemption |
⬥ Must have graduated with an associate or bachelor degree from an accredited institution |
Student must submit an official transcript from an accredited institution that indicates a degree was awarded to student. |
|
Transfer Credit Exemption |
⬥ Must have completed college-level coursework at another institution that Laredo College determines to satisfy the TSI obligation |
Transfer credit is evaluated by designated school officials to determined eligibility for exemption. Full or partial exemption may be granted. Official transcript(s) must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for evaluation to occur. |
|
Level I Certificate Waiver |
⬥ Must be enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less that requires completion of 42 or fewer credit hours or equivalent |
Program of study/major must be correct on student’s official transcript. If not, a Declaration of Major Form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Refer to online College Catalog for list of level 1 certificate programs. |