TSI Exemptions/Waivers

You must have TSI assessment scores on file prior to enrolling for college-level courses. Prior to any student taking the TSI assessment, a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) and practice test must be administered.

If you meet any of the following conditions, you are exempt or waived from the TSI requirements.

1. For a period of five years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards is exempt:
   • ACT: Composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test and/or the mathematics tests shall be exempt for both the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment, and/or 19 on the mathematics tests shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.
   
   
   • SAT Testing prior to March 5, 2016 -- Students who took the SAT test prior to March 5, 2016 may use the following scores: Combined critical reading (formerly "verbal") and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the critical reading test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment, and/or 500 on the mathematics tests shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.
   
   
   • SAT Testing administered on or after March 5, 2016 -- a minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment; a minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. There is no combined score. The newly-approved scores became effective on August 10, 2016.
     
     Mixing or combining scores from the SAT administered prior to March 2016 and the SAT administered on or after March 5, 2016 is not allowable.
     
     
   
   
2. For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the eleventh grade exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required under this title for those corresponding sections. For more information about Dual Credit, Early College and Middle College eligibility and testing requirements for course placement, see the Dual Credit section within this catalog.


3. STAAR Testing prior to spring 2014 - For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the eleventh grade exit-level STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a 2000 minimum score (2000 on reading test/2000 on writing test) of Level 2 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for reading and/or writing, relevant to the course. And, a student with a 4000 minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for the mathematics section.


4. STAAR Testing beginning in spring 2014 - For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the eleventh grade exit-level STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a 4000 minimum score (on the combined reading and writing test) of Level 2 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for reading and writing. A student with a 4000 minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for the mathematics section.


5. A student who has graduated with an associate or higher degree from an institution of higher education and submits appropriate documentation of degree and official transcript is exempt.


6. A student who transfers to the colleges of the DCCCD from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed at least three hours of college-level Core-related coursework with a grade of "C" or better is exempt in the TSI component area (reading, writing, and/or math) assigned to the course. An official transcript must be submitted.


7. A student who has previously attended any accredited Texas public institution of higher education and has been determined by that institution to have met TSI standards is TSI met in that specified TSI component area. For students meeting non-Algebra intensive readiness standards in mathematics as defined in §4.59(d)(1)(B) of this title (relating to Determination of Readiness to Perform Entry-Level Freshman Coursework), will be required additional preparatory coursework/interventions for Algebra intensive courses, including MATH 1314, 1324, 1414 (or their equivalent). It is the institution's responsibility to ensure that students are clearly informed of the consequences of successful completion of a mathematics pathways model which results in meeting the mathematics college readiness standard only for specific courses. An official transcript must be submitted.


8. A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less will be waived of TSI requirements (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours). However, students are not exempt from TSI if they take courses that are not included in the Level-One certificate.


9. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment is exempt.


10. A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States is exempt.


11. A non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking student is waived from TSI requirements.


12. Students in ESOL programs may be granted an ESOL waiver from TSI testing. The ESOL waiver must be removed after the student attempts 15 hours of ESOL coursework/interventions, or attempts entry-level freshman coursework.


13. A student who successfully completes a college preparatory course as allowed by Texas Education Agency is exempt for a period of 24 (twenty-four) months from the date of high school graduation with respect to the content area of the course. In the student's first year of enrollment in an institution of higher education, student must enroll in the student's first college-level course in the exempted content area. This exemption applies only at the institution of higher education that partners with the school district in which the student is enrolled to provide the course. Additionally, an institution of higher education may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with a partnering institution of higher education to accept the exemption for the college preparatory course.


14. Any student who has been determined to be exempt in mathematics, reading, and/or writing as outlined above shall not be required to enroll in developmental coursework and/or intervention in the corresponding area of exemption.