Texas Success Initiative Exemptions
Incoming Freshman: Please Read
If you have an SAT/ACT score exemption from the list below, please submit official scores to UTD via College Board. Emailed/scanned score reports cannot be used. Once received, the TSI hold can be removed automatically if the exemption applies. This process usually takes 2-3 weeks. If you have dual credit coursework, please have an official college transcript sent to UTD for TSI evaluation.
Exemptions
Pending institutional verification of the following situations, TSI exemptions apply to:
- Students who are non-degree seeking or non-certificate-seeking.
- For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards on the following tests. Scores must be submitted to UTD via College Board for TSI exemption.
- ACT – Composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test shall be exempt from the ELAR section of the TSI Assessment, and/or 19 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.
- SAT –
- If you took the SAT during or after March 2016:
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 480 or higher shall be exempt from the ELAR section TSI requirements.
- Math score of 530 or higher shall be exempt for the math TSI requirements.
- If you took the SAT prior to March 2016:
- SAT prior to March 2016 are no longer valid. SAT scores are only applicable for five years from the date of the test.
- If you took the SAT during or after March 2016:
- STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a minimum Level 2 score of 4000 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment required under this title for both reading and writing, and a minimum Level 2 score of 4000 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment required under this title for the mathematics section.
- Students who have graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Transcripts must be filed with Enrollment Services for verification purposes.
- Students who have previously attended any Texas public institution and have been determined to have met TSI requirements by that institution.
- A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.
- A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or 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. Students must file a Verification of Active Duty form each semester with Enrollment Services.
- A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. A copy of the DD214 form showing this status is required and must be filed with Enrollment Services.
- A private or out-of-state college or university and who have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by a grade of C or better in courses that are recognized as requiring college-level reading, writing and/or mathematical skills as approved by UT Dallas.
Partial Exemptions
A partial exemption allows a student to be exempt from part but not all of the TSI Assessment.
College Credit Exemption
- Dual credit coursework will be evaluated upon receipt of official transcripts with final course grades to declare partial TSI completion by test section (i.e., math, ELAR section exemption)
- Certain AP test credit (RHET 1302, MATH credit) may be used to declare partial TSI completion
- Students transferring courses from another institution of higher education may be exempted (partially or fully) upon review of official transcripts*.
*Note: Official transcripts should be submitted to UT Dallas Enrollment Services as soon as possible. Official evaluation must be completed to determine course equivalencies before a TSI waiver will be granted. If you are a student with a TSI Hold on your record, it must be removed prior to registering for courses. Contact an academic advisor in your program for more information.