TSI Exemptions & ESOL Waiver
- ACT: Composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test and/or the mathematics tests shall be exempt for those corresponding sections. (within 5 years, one sitting).
- SAT Testing prior to March 1, 2016 — Combined critical reading and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the critical reading test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment; a combined critical reading and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.
- SAT Testing beginning March 1, 2016 — A minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment; a minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. There is no combined score.
- SAT additional information — Mixing or combining scores from the SAT taken prior to March 2016 and the SAT taken on or after March 1, 2016 is not allowable.
- TAKS: For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the eleventh grade exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for those corresponding sections
- STAAR Testing prior to spring 2014 – For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the eleventh grade exit-level STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a 2000 minimum score (2000 on reading test/2000 on writing test) of Level 2 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for reading and/or writing, relevant to the course. And, a student with a 4000 minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for the mathematics section.
- STAAR Testing beginning in spring 2014 – For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the eleventh grade exit-level STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a 4000 minimum score (on the combined reading and writing test) of Level 2 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for reading and writing. A student with a 4000 minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI assessment required for the mathematics section.
- Associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
- Completion of college-level coursework* from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out of state institution of higher education (*as determined by Richland College)
- Military Exemption [DD214 needed] (VA program restrictions may apply)
- Previously attended any institution and determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
- Enroll in a Certificate Program (Level 1) of one year or less.
- ESOL Waiver. Students planning to enroll in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses must contact the Multicultural Center before taking the TSI Assessment.
If you are exempt or waived from all three areas (reading, writing and mathematics) of the TSI requirement, submit proof of your exemption to the admissions office.
Proceed to the next step: Computer Literacy Requirement
If you are exempt or waived from some but not all three areas of the TSI requirement, you must submit proof of your exemption(s) to the admissions office.
Proceed to the next step: Computer Literacy Requirement
If you are not exempt or waived from any of the TSI requirements, please proceed to the next step: Computer Literacy Requirement