TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE (TSI) TEST
ABOUT THE TEST
- The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) is the test created by the state of Texas to help determine whether students are ready for freshman-level college courses in mathematics and English language arts and reading (ELAR).
- High school graduates who do not meet one or more of the benchmarks on the TSIA/TSIA2 are required to participate in developmental education prior to, or together with, enrollment in freshman-level college courses.
- The TSIA/TSIA2 is a computer adaptive test, which means questions may increase or decrease in difficulty depending on the student’s responses.
- The TSIA/TSIA2 is not timed, and students may pause the test anytime during their session except during the essay portion.
- Students that qualify for the free or reduced lunch program may also qualify for fee waivers or fee reductions for the TSI test.
SCORING
- English Language Arts & Reading section: 945-990 is considered passing/college ready. If a student scores below 945, a diagnostic test will be unlocked and a score of 5+ is considered passing/college ready.
- Essay section: 5-8 is considered passing/college ready
- Math section: 950-990 is considered passing college ready. If a student scores below 950, a diagnostic test will be unlocked and a score of 6+ is considered passing/college ready.
PSAT/NMSQT (NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST)
ABOUT THE TEST
- The PSAT/NMSQT is meant to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program during the junior year.
- It also serves as a practice test for the SAT.
- Students can only qualify for the National Merit Scholarship when taking the PSAT during their junior year of high school. The 9th/10th grade versions of the PSAT are only meant for practice. Scores will not qualify students for scholarships.
- If you qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, you are also eligible to receive fee waivers for the PSAT test.
SCORING
- Total Score Range: 320 – 1520
- English Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) Range: 160-760
- Math Range: 160-760
BENEFITS OF TAKING THE PSAT/NMSQT
- It connects students to more than $300 million in scholarships, including the National Merit® Scholarship Program.
- It’s excellent practice for the SAT.
- It’s the first step to a free, personalized SAT study plan.
- It shows student progress on the road to college.
- It shows which Advanced Placement Program® (AP) courses a student is ready for.
Cost of the PSAT/NMSQT Test = $18 per administration
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) TESTS
ABOUT THE TEST
- AP exams assess your knowledge of AP course material and determine whether you are qualified to test out of similar introductory courses in college.
- A high score on an AP Test indicates that you are capable of working at the college level in the subject.
- Students that are enrolled in AP courses have the option to test in May for the courses in which they are enrolled
- If you qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, you are also eligible to receive fee reductions for AP exams
SCORING
- AP Exams are scored on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest score possible
- Whether or not your AP exam score transfers in as college credit depends on your score and the transfer policies of the university
- Students should check with their chosen university’s transfer policies to determine how their scores will transfer
AP TESTING OFFERED BY TVAH
For the 2024-2025 school year, TVAH students in the following AP Courses will have the opportunity to test in person in Hallsville, TX during May of 2025:
- Spanish Language & Culture
- Calculus AB
- English Language & Composition
- Biology
- US Government & Politics
- Chemistry
- Statistics
- English Literature & Composition
Students should reach out to their AP teacher if they are interested in signing up for one of these tests. If a student is wanting to test in a subject not listed above, they will need to reach out to their local high school and ask about being added to their test list.
ACT TEST
ABOUT THE TEST
- The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, & provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
SCORING
- Composite Score Range: 1-36 (Average score is a 21) Made of the average of the 4 section scores
- English Score Range: 1-36
- Math Score Range: 1-36
- Reading Score Range: 1-36
- Science Score Range: 1-36
- Optional Writing Score Range: 1-6
- Scores are reported via the ACT portal 2 weeks after the test
- Can send scores to 4 schools for free each time you take the test
- Test takers are able to Superscore
- Scores do not directly provide students with scholarships. However, colleges can evaluate scores for their own scholarship programs.
- If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you are eligible for ACT Fee Waivers!
SAT TEST
ABOUT THE TEST
- The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, & provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
- This is a national test any student can register, pay and take the test.
- Test is typically taken during 11th grade
SCORING
- Total Score Range: 400-1600 (Average score 1068 and 90% is 1350)
- English Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) Range: 200-800 (Average score = 536)
- Math Range: 200-800 (Average score = 531)
- Scores are reported via the College Board portal 15 days after the test
- Can send scores to 4 schools for free each time you take the test
- Test takers are able to Superscore
- Scores do not directly provide students with scholarship, however, colleges can evaluate scores for their own scholarship programs.
- If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you get fee application waivers, send scores for free and you can take the SAT for FREE!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SAT & THE ACT?
- SAT is an aptitude test – “reasoning/how you think”
- ACT is an achievement test – “content/what you know”
- ACT has a Science Reasoning Section.
- SAT has two math sections, one of which does not allow the use of a calculator.
- ACT has one math section with approved calculator.
- ACT has an optional essay – register for it WITH the writing.
- Most colleges accept either SAT or ACT.
- When registering, take advantage of the opportunity to send scores to up to four colleges (for free). If you wait until after the test, you might have to pay extra.
- Colleges require that your test scores be sent from the testing company, not from your high school
- Some colleges now allow students to self-report test scores.
- If you want to play sports in college, test scores must be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
FEE WAIVER ELIGIBILITY
Students eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program are also eligible for:
- Fee Waivers for both the SAT and ACT Tests
- College Admission Application Fee Waivers
- Fee reductions for AP tests
Parents MUST apply for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program EACH year in order for their children to be eligible. Applications for fee waivers can be completed here – https://www.nacacnet.org/student/fee-waivers/.
