Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
TSI-deficient students must enroll and participate in continuous developmental education until they fulfill both state and institutional TSI requirements. Students who do not attend CBDE (Course Based Developmental Education) and or NCBDE (Non-Course Based Developmental Education) as scheduled and are dropped by their instructor or lab supervisor will be subject to the following consequences:
Step 1: The first time a student drops or is dropped from CBDE or NCBDE, he/she will complete the following steps: Meet with an academic advisor to clarify his/her understanding of TSI policy and continuous enrollment policies and sign a contract with a non-appeal clause inserted should the student drop again. The contract will clearly describe the penalties for dropping or being dropped from their developmental courses or labs. The student’s signature will indicate that he/she understands Step 2 penalties for any and all future drops and that he/she understands there is no appeals process for future drops.
Step 2: The second time a student drops or is dropped from CBDE or NCBDE, he/she will be limited to six (6) hours in the following regular semester or three (3) hours each summer session if the following steps are completed: Meet with an academic advisor to clarify his/her understanding of TSI policy and continuous enrollment policies; sign a contract indicating that he/she will be allowed to enroll only in six hours the following semester, which are designated as the following:
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A student TSI-deficient in only one area will register for the appropriate developmental class and one other course.
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A student TSI-deficient in more than one area will register for two developmental courses; if courses are unavailable, the student may register in one developmental course and one regular course.
The contract will also indicate that a student dropping a developmental course or lab at any time during the semester will be withdrawn from all courses immediately without appeal. *This provision will remain in place until the student passes all sections of TSI. Step-two students refusing these conditions will be withdrawn from UTRGV, and will not be permitted to return until passing in all areas.
Students who do not enroll in, drop, or stop attending a developmental class/TSI lab are subject to the following consequences:
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STAGE 1: Meet with an advisor to clarify TSI policy. Sign a non-appeal contract.
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STAGE 2: Limited to part time enrollment: 2 classes Fall/Spring and 1 class Summer.
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STAGE 3: Subject to immediate withdrawal.
60 Hour Limit
UPPER DIVISION COURSES (3000-4000 LEVEL): Students who earned and registered hours total 60 or more are not eligible to enroll in upper division courses until clearing all three areas of TSI.
What happens if I have not tested?
Students who are not exempt from TSI testing must test prior to enrolling in college credit coursework. If a student does not test prior to enrolling, he/she will only be allowed to register for 1000 level coursework during the first term. If a student does not test within the first semester, he/she will not be allowed to register for a second term until he/she has tested. A registration hold is placed on the student’s account.
Who can I talk to?
If you have questions regarding your TSI status, please contact a TSI Advisor at the University Academic Advisement Center.
Where do I sign up for TSI exam?
UTRGV P-16 Outreach & Testing Services offers the TSI Assessment as the only exam used to clear students of TSI requirements. The Exam Fee for the TSI Assessment is $48. Students must register online at least one week prior to the anticipated TSI Assessment date. Students are required to complete a Pre-Assessment Activity prior to taking the TSI Assessment. The link for the Pre-Assessment is located on the University Testing Services home page. The Edinburg University Testing Services is in the CESS Building, Room 1.101, in Edinburg, Texas on Expressway 281 between the Sprague and Freddy Gonzalez exit. The Brownsville Testing Services Center is located at Saint Joseph's Academy at 101 Saint Joseph Dr., Brownsville, TX 78520.
General Test Information
UTRGV’s Testing Office is located at the UTRGV Community Engagement and Student Success Building, Rm 1.101, in Edinburg at 1407 E. Freddy Gonzalez Drive. Call (956) 665-7570 or (956) 665-7523. The Brownsville Testing Services Center is located at Saint Joseph's Academy at 101 Saint Joseph Dr., Brownsville, TX 78520. For a schedule of available test dates, please visit the Testing Office website . Online registration and payment are required. Test fees are determined by the number of sections to be tested. There is a $16 fee for each section tested.
How to Register for the TSI Assessment
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Visit the Testing Office website
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Click on "Register here" on the right hand side of page
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Scroll down, find TSI Assessment and select the preferred test date by clicking on "add"
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On the next page, click on "Register now" icon
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Create a profile. For username & password use your UTRGV email address & password
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Once completed click on "Create Profile"
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Next, log into the email that was used when creating the profile. Click on the link sent in the email and you will be directed to the login page for Testing Services.
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Enter your email address and password.
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The exam you clicked on should appear, if not click on "my cart"
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Click on "Review Purchase & Checkout"
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Select payment type: VISA, check, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER to pay appropriate fee.
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$48 for three sections;
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$32 for two sections (indicate appropriate code);
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$16 for one section (indicate appropriate code)
12.Print out copy of receipt
Remember:
*You must complete the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) BEFORE you take the TSI Assessment.
*Print the confirmation page provided when you complete the Pre-Assessment Activity and take with you to the test site.
*Photo ID will be required on the day of the test.
Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Exemption and Placement Chart
TSI Placement Tables
Please note: Even if you are exempt from taking the THEA test by state standards, ACT and/or SAT scores will be used to place you appropriately into developmental or college-level coursework. The placement scores are determined by the appropriate academic department and approved by the Vice-President for Academic Affairs.