Before college-bound high school seniors can take the state-required TSI (Texas Success Initiative) exam, they must take part in the mandatory pre-assessment activity.
This activity will explain why taking standardized assessments is important for success in college.
Assessments are used to measure a student’s learning progress. Educators and study advisors use TSI results to determine if students are ready to progress from high school to college-level course work.
The Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) lasts around 30 minutes and includes five main sections that address the importance of the TSI exam, the assessment process, how to best prepare for the test, your retest options, and student resources. Let’s take a look at these five sections.
1: The importance of the TSI exam
In this section, you will learn why attaining good results on the standardized Texas Success Initiative assessment is so important for your success in college. Colleges and universities use your scores for placement in courses and classes that fit your skills and knowledge.
If you don’t score well on the exam, you will have to take extra remedial classes which will take time and are costly.
2. The assessment process
In this section, you will learn about the TSI assessment process, what it consists of, what the exam is like, how long it takes, and what the cost is.
The TSI exam contains multiple-choice questions and there also is a part where you need to write an essay. The exam is computer-adaptive meaning the difficulty level of the questions is determined by your earlier answers. If your score requires it, you may additionally receive questions in a diagnostic component.
3. How to prepare for the TSI exam
In this section, you will learn the best ways to get all set for the TSI exam. You will also be provided with test-taking strategies and tips about how to deal with anxiety and stress.
There are lots of sample questions in this section and taking multiple sample questions will help you refresh your knowledge and skills. It may have been a while since you’ve seen some of the subject fields and taking practice tests will provide you with confidence to do well on test day.
4. Retest options
In this section, you will learn about your options after you receive your TSI scores. In case you have the impression that your score is not representing your skills and knowledge correctly, you may take the entire TSI exam, or sections of it, again.
Please note that you will have to pay the test fees again and that this time, the questions will be different from the ones in your earlier test though the exam is, obviously, covering the same subject fields.
5. Student resources
In this section, you will learn all about available student resources in your high school or in the college you apply to. There are so many fantastic options to get all set for the TSI exam so you can be your best on testing day!
Many colleges have learning labs on their campuses to help students get ahead. When you have applied to a college, see if you can use the school’s learning lab to practice with the schools’ tutors in Math and English, or even more.
You may also enroll in a college-prep program. Several colleges offer free programs that help students boost their skills and get ready for the TSI exam and thu=is website also offers lots of TSI practice test at no cost.
At the end of the pre-assessment activity, you can download and print your pre-assessment completion form. Please don’t forget to bring the printed form when you take the actual exam.
In conclusion
So all college-bound students in Texas are required to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exam unless they hold exemption status.
Upon entering the testing center to sit for the TSI, the first question they’ll have to answer will be if they participated in a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA).
While partaking in the PAA, students will learn what is on the TSI Assessment, how the test is structured, and why it is important to do well on the test.
The PAA is a mandatory activity and the students will receive a PAA completion certificate. The Pre-Assessment Activity takes some 30 minutes in total. There will be examples of TSI questions and students will receive information about college life and independent studying.
The TSI pre-assessment activity is required to address the importance of the assessment for a student’s academic career, to indicate developmental and educational options, to provide information about institutional and community resources, and to explain the assessment process and what the TSI is comprised of including sample test questions with feedback.
When students finish the PAA, they can print out a certificate of PAA completion which they must bring when sitting for the actual TSI Assessment. This TSI Pre-Assessment Activity is also designed to make sure that students don’t attempt the TSI Assessment without adequate preparation.
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment is a mandatory test required by State law. It is a series of questions that help universities and colleges predict what academic college classes are best suited for a student’s needs. For information about TSI scoring, check here.
So the state legislated Texas Success Initiative exam is designed to enhance a student’s success in university and college. As a mandatory part of the TSI, every non-exempt college-bound student must first take part in the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity, or PAA, before they take the actual TSI exam.
Once students have applied for admission to a college and have completed the pre-advising process, the next step will be determining if they meet the necessary TSI requirements.
The results of the TSI Assessment, together with a student’s goals, interests, and academic background are used by study advisors students in appropriate courses that will match their skill levels.
So the goal of there TSI exam is to help students become all set for college-level coursework so this is why this exam should be taken very seriously. Free TSI practice tests are also offered on this website.
By meeting TSI scoring standards, students demonstrate they have the basic skills and knowledge required to start their college experience. Students that don’t meet the minimum requirements will have to take additional remedial courses so they’ll have the necessary skills to go ahead with their education.