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TSI Exemptions and Waivers

A TSI exemption or partial exemption is permanent whereas a TSI waiver is temporary and must be renewed or expires. There are several types of TSI exemptions. Some are blanket exemptions that exempt students from TSI requirements in all sections (math, reading, and writing). Others are partial exemptions that exempt a student on a section basis. For example, a student may be exempt in reading and writing but not exempt in mathematics.

A student with a waiver is “waived” from TSI for the current semester and has not met the TSI obligation. The term waiver is also used for high school students enrolled for dual credit who have not met TSI obligations but have permission to enroll in courses for dual credit under dual credit rules.

Exemptions

The following students have blanket exemptions and are eligible to enroll in designated entry-level freshman courses.

  1. Former and Retired Military. A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from (a) active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or (b) service as a member of a reserve component of the United States armed forces. Member copy 4 of DD214 required.
  2. Associate or Higher Degree Graduate. A student who has graduated with an associate or higher degree from a recognized institution of higher education or from a recognized international institution. Submit official transcript with degree conferred.

    The following students may have partial exemptions and are eligible to enroll in designated entry-level courses in the applicable exempt subject area.

  3. Declared College-Ready by another Texas Public Institution of Higher Education. A student who has attended a Texas public institution of higher education has met the readiness standards in the reading, writing, and/or mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. Note: For students meeting non-Algebra intensive readiness standards in mathematics, CTC requires additional preparatory coursework/interventions for Algebra intensive courses such as MATH 1314/1324/1414.
  4. ACT Scores. A student with a composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test is exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment and/or 19 on the math test is exempt for the math section of the TSI Assessment. Scores valid for five (5) years from the date of testing.
  5. SAT Given on or After March 5, 2016. A student with a minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test shall be exempt for both the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment. A student with a minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test is exempt from the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. Scores valid for five (5) years from the date of testing. Mixing or combining scores from the SAT prior to March 5, 2016, and on or after March 5, 2016 is not allowable.
  6. SAT Give prior to March 5, 2016. A student with a combined critical reading (formerly verbal) and mathematics score of 1070 and a minimum 500 score on the critical reading is exempt from the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment. The combined score of 1070 with a minimum 500 score on the mathematics test exempts a student from the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. Scores valid for five (5) years from the date of testing. Mixing or combining scores from the SAT prior to March 5, 2016, and on or after March 5, 2016, is not allowable.
  7. TAKS Scores. A student who has an 11th Grade Exit-Level with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts (ELA) section with a writing subsection score of at least 3 shall be exempt from the related section(s) of the TSI Assessment. An official high school transcript with an asterisk next to the ELA scale score indicates a student earned a score of 3 or higher on the writing subsection. Scores valid for five (5) years from the date of testing.
  8. STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) Scores. A student with a minimum score of 4000 on the STAAR EOC in English III shall be exempt from the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment. A student with a minimum score of 4000 on the STAAR Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. Scores valid for five (5) years from the date of testing.
  9. C or Better Grade in Approved Transfer Course(s) from a Public, Private, or Independent College or University or an accredited Out-of-State institution of higher education. A student who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework in designated reading, writing, and/or mathematics intensive courses as determined by CTC may be exempt from the applicable section(s) of the TSI Assessment. Transfer degree-seeking students must meet with an academic advisor to determine exemption eligibility.
  10. AP/IB/CLEP Scores/Dual Credit Grades. A student who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by CTC using AP scores, IB scores, CLEP scores or dual credit grades may be exempt from the applicable section(s) of the TSI Assessment.
  11. College Preparatory Course. A student who successfully completes a college preparatory course taken in partnership with CTC and a local school district is exempt for a period of 24 months from the date of graduation with respect to the content area of the course. The student must enroll in the first college-level course in the exempted content area in his or first year of enrollment at CTC. This exemption applies only if CTC partners with the school district in which the student is enrolled to provide the course. CTC will not apply an exemption if another institution of higher education provided the course unless CTC enters into a Memorandum of Understanding with the other institution of higher education to accept the exemption for the college preparatory course.
  12. GED. A student with a minimum score of 165 on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI2. A student with a minimum score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test shall be exempt for the English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) section of the TSI2. The exemption is valid for five (5) years from date of testing but the applicability for TSI purposes starts May 12, 2021.
  13. HiSET. A student with a minimum score of 15 on the Mathematics subtest shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI2. A student with a minimum score of 15 on the Reading subtest and a minimum score of 15 on the Writing subtest, including a minimum score of 4 on the essay, shall be exempt for the English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) section of the TSI2. The test exemption is effective May 12, 2021, and test scores are valid for five (5) years from date of testing. However, the HiSET scores with test administration dates after August 31, 2021, will no longer be useable for the TSI exemption (the Texas Education Agency will no longer administer the test after 8/31/2021). It is not relevant where the student has taken the approved HiSET test (in or out-of-state) when considering applicability for the TSI exemption.

Waivers

Waivers are temporary and valid for a designated time. The student is waived from taking the TSI Assessment. When a waiver ends, the student must consult with an advisor to determine his or her TSI status.

  1. Active Duty Military, Texas National Guard, and Reservists. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the (a) armed forces of the United States, (b) the Texas National Guard, or (c) 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. Waiver ends when no longer serving on active duty.
  2. Non-Degree or Non-Certificate-Seeking Student. A student who is not seeking a degree or certificate with CTC. Valid for up to 15 semester hours. Waiver may be extended based on institutional guidelines.
  3. Certificate Program, Level I. A student who is seeking a Level I certificate which is between 15 and 42 semester hours is waived from the TSI Assessment. If a student takes one course outside the certificate program, the student is no longer waived. Waiver ends based on student’s anticipated completion date.
  4. ESOL Waiver. A student with demonstrated limited English proficiency may be granted a temporary waiver while enrolled in ESOL/ESL coursework. The waiver ends after student attempts 15 semester hours of developmental ESOL coursework or enrolls in entry-level freshmen coursework, whichever comes first at which time student is to be given the TSIA2.

Waivers for Students Enrolled in Academic Dual Credit Courses

While in high school, students who enroll in academic dual credit courses that require demonstration of college readiness but have not met TSI obligations, may enroll in academic courses for dual credit under dual credit rules as listed below. These rules do not apply once the student graduates from high school.

For courses that require demonstration of TSI college readiness in reading and/or writing, the student may enroll if one of the following is met.

  1. English II STAAR EOC. Achieves a minimum score of 4000 on the English II STAAR EOC.
  2. Redesigned PSAT/NMSQT Exam Given on or after October 15, 2015. A score of 460 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test. Mixing or combining of scores on the PSAT/NMSQT given prior to October 15, 2015, and the PSAT/NMSQT given on or after October 15, 2015, is not allowable.
  3. PLAN or ACT-Aspire. A composite score of 23 on the PLAN with a 19 or higher in English or an English score of 435 on the ACT-Aspire.

    For academic courses that require demonstration of TSI readiness in mathematics, the student may enroll if one of the following is met.

  4. Algebra I STAAR EOC and Passing Grade in Algebra II Course. A minimum score of 4000 on the Algebra I STAAR EOC and passing grade in the Algebra II course.
  5. Redesigned PSAT/NMSQT Exam Given on or after October 15, 2015. A score of 510 on the mathematics test. Mixing or combining of scores on the PSAT/NMSQT given prior to October 15, 2015, and the PSAT/NMSQT given on or after October 15, 2015, is not allowable.
  6. PLAN or ACT-Aspire. A composite score of 23 on the PLAN with a 19 or higher in mathematics or mathematics score of 431 on the ACT-Aspire.

Waivers for Students Enrolled in Workforce Dual Credit Courses

While in high school, students who enroll in workforce education dual credit courses and have not met TSI obligations, may enroll in courses for dual credit under dual credit rules as listed below. These rules do not apply once the student graduates from high school.

  1. Level 1 Certificate or Credential Less than a Level 1 Certificate. Eligible to enroll in a Level I Certificate program which is 42 or fewer semester hours.
  2. Level 2 Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science Degree Program. CTC’s Level 2 certificates may be between 30 and 51 semester hours or more. For courses that require demonstration of TSI college readiness in reading and/or writing, the student may enroll if one of the following is met.
    1. Achieves a minimum score of 4000 on the English II STAAR EOC.
    2. Achieves a minimum score of 460 on the redesigned PSAT/NMSQT Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test given on or after October 25, 2015. 
    3. A composite score of 23 on the PLAN with a 19 or higher in English or an English score of 435 on the ACT-Aspire.

      For courses that require demonstration of TSI college readiness in mathematics, the student may enroll if one of the following is met.

    4. Achieves a minimum score of 4000 on the Algebra I STAAR EOC and passing grade in the Algebra II course.
    5. Achieves a minimum score of 510 on the redesigned PSAT/NMSQT mathematics test given on or after October 15, 2015.
    6. A composite score of 23 on the PLAN with a 19 or higher in mathematics or mathematics score of 431 on the ACT-Aspire.