Texas Success Initiative
The Texas Success Initiative intends to assess a student’s College Readiness for college level academic coursework by assessing reading, writing, and math ability. College Readiness is a term designated by the State of Texas to indicate a student’s ability to successfully enroll and progress in first year college level academic coursework.
College Readiness Complete or Incomplete - Vernon College uses the term “Complete” to designate a student who has met the state set benchmark for all 3 areas of the TSI Assessment or is exempt. The term “Incomplete” is used if the student has not met the state set benchmark for all 3 sections of the TSI Assessment. Vernon College will note on the student official and unofficial record if a student is College Readiness Complete or College Readiness Incomplete.
If you do not meet one of the TSI exemptions listed below and want to take academic coursework you must take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment before you enroll in coursework. The Texas Success Initiative Assessment is the only approved placement test after August 26, 2013.
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment:
- is mandatory for all public colleges and universities in Texas
- is required by the State of Texas to measure your ability to read, write, and do math at a college level
- is a computerized test consisting of a multiple choice exam as well as a writing sample. You will receive your results as soon as you finish the exam
- provides you a multi-page print out so you can see what areas you met the college ready benchmark in as well as what areas you did not meet the college ready benchmark in and will be requiring developmental class work.
If a student took another previously approved Texas state placement test and attended a college or university, those previously approved Texas state placement test scores can be used. These scores can only be used as a result of the previous college coursework.
All students are now required to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment unless they meet one of the exemptions listed below. If you are eligible for one of the exemptions, you must bring proof of your exemption to the Vernon College Office of Admissions and Records.
Students may be College Readiness Complete if they qualify for one of the following exemptions:
Exemptions using other tests:
ACT/SAT/STAAR EOC Tests—Students who meet the following standards may be exempt from taking the TSI Assessment if they have valid ACT, SAT, or STAAR EOC scores. It is the student’s responsibility to provide official scores to VC to qualify for an exemption prior to enrollment in any college-level courses and prior to expiration of those specific scores. As provided in Texas law, Vernon College will honor all previously awarded TSI exemptions and TSI statuses shown on an official transcript.
The minimum exemption standards for these tests are:
| Name of Test |
Composite Score |
English/Verbal Scores |
Math Scores |
Expiration Date from the date the test is taken |
| SAT - Taken after March 5, 2016 |
N/A |
480 (Evidenced Based Reading and Writing) |
530 |
5 Years |
| ACT Taken before February 15, 2023* |
23 |
19 |
19 |
5 Years |
| ACT Taken on or after February 15, 2023* |
N/A |
40 (combined score on the English and Reading Tests) |
22 |
5 Years |
| STAAR EOC |
N/A |
4000 on the English III EOC Exam |
4000 on Algebra II EOC Exam |
5 Years |
| GED |
N/A |
165 Reasoning Through Language Arts |
165 Mathematics |
5 Years |
*The use of scores from both the ACT administered prior to February 15, 2023, and the ACT administered on or after February 15, 2023, is allowable, as long as the appropriate benchmarks are met.
Other Exemptions:
Student who transfers to Vernon College from a private institution of higher education or a regionally accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework may be exempt for portions of the TSI at Vernon College. Coursework from private or out-of-state institutions of higher education must have a prerequisite of reading, writing and/or math for the same class at Vernon College. A student may be TSI complete in reading and writing but not complete in math or vice versa.
Students who previously graduated with an Associate or Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Students enrolled in a level 1 certificate program of 1 year or less (less than 42 semester credit hours)
Student serving as active duty or active reserves in the US Armed Forces
Student honorably discharged from Active Duty in the US Armed Forces after August 1, 1990
Student must provide a copy of a DD214
Student who is a certified emergency medical technician under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, and employed by a political subdivision, which indicates that the position is funded through public/governmental sources at the city, county, or state level.
Student must submit EMT Certification Certificate and verification of current employment from supervisor on company/agency letterhead
Student who is employed as fire protection personnel by Section 419.021, Government Code
Student must submit verification of current employment from supervisor on company/agency letterhead
Student who is elected, appointed, or employed to serve as a peace officer described by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other law.
Student must submit verification of current employment from supervisor on company/agency letterhead
Students who have completed the College Bridge certificates in reading/writing and/or math
Students have two years from date of high school graduation to use the one year of eligibility to enroll in college level coursework in math and/or English
Students in high school who are non-degree seeking and have 15 semester credit hours or less of course credit for dual credit courses successfully completed
Students enrolled in a level 2 certificate that is comprised of WECM courses only, and there are no pre-requisites courses that require students to be TSI complete