Testing Requirements
Dual Credit Testing Requirements
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requires that all students attending a public college or university test or be exempt from testing to prove college readiness.
Test exemptions are based on ACT scores, SAT scores, or EOC scores.
Test Exemptions
If a student is not exempt from testing, the TSI assessment must be taken prior to registration.
About the PAA
The State requires all incoming college students in Texas to complete a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) before taking the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment. *Note: If you are retesting for the TSI Assessment, you do not have to retake the PAA.
You can find more information about the TSI Assessment and take the PAA through the AC Success Center.
Once you have completed the PAA, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Make sure you send this certificate to the AC Testing Center.
You do not have to take the TSI if you have the following test scores:
| TEST | READING & WRITING (English) EXEMPTION | ALGEBRA (Math) EXEMPTION |
STAAR/EOC
| English II (level 2) minimum score of 4000 | Algebra I (level 2) minimum score of 4000, and high school Algebra II course score of 70 or above |
ACT | Scores prior to 2-15-23 (good for five years) English- 19 with a composite score of 23 | Scores prior to 2-15-23 (good for five years) Math- 19 with a composite score of 23 |
SAT | Evidence Based Writing- 480 minimum | Math- 530 minimum |
| PSAT | Evidence-based Reading and Writing - 460 minimum | Mathematics - 510 minimum |
PLAN | For students entering 11th grade only: English- 19 plus a combined score of 23 (Students entering 12th grade must show new exemption based on TAKS, SAT, or ACT) | For students entering 11th grade only: Mathematics- 19 plus a combined score of 23 (Students entering 12th grade must show new exemption based on TAKS, SAT, or ACT) |
If a student is not exempt from testing, the TSI assessment must be taken prior to registration. For information on each test, see the Amarillo College Testing Center website. To schedule testing, contact your school counselor or the Amarillo College Testing Center, 806-371-5445.
The following are state minimum required scores. You are considered "Complete" the TSI requirements for a subject area if you earn the minimum score within the date ranges below:
State-Approved Minimum Scores to be TSI Complete, Beginning January 2021
| TEST / ASSESSMENT | READING & WRITING REQUIRED SCORE (ELAR) | MATH REQUIRED SCORE |
| TSI Assessment | 945 or higher and Essay 5 or higher | 950 or higher or 910-949 and Diagnostic Level of 6 |
State-Approved Minimum Scores to be TSI Complete for assessment taken Before January 2021
| TEST / ASSESSMENT | READING | WRITING | MATH |
| TSI Assessment | 351 or higher | 340-390 and minimum 4 on WritePlacer essay or 310-339 and levels 4-6 on ABE Diagnostic and minimum 5 on WritePlacer Essay | 350 or higher |
The table below shows which test is required for each course:
| SECTION OF TEST REQUIRED | COURSE |
Reading (if taken before Jan. 2021) Language (if taken after Jan. 2021) | Art Appreciation, Biology, Child Development, Computer courses, Criminal Justice, Economics, Education, Electronics, EMT, Foreign Languages, Government of the U.S., History of the U.S., Humanities, Learning Frameworks, Life Science, Music Appreciation, Music Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Sign Language, Sociology. |
| Language | English |
Writing (if taken before Jan. 2021) Language (if taken after Jan. 2021) | Speech |
| Math | College Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Physics, Business Math, Machining |
Math and Reading (if taken before Jan. 2021) Math and Language (if taken after Jan. 2021) | Chemistry |