The TSIA is a state-required assessment exam to determine college readiness in reading, writing and math. In other words, it can determine whether you take developmental or college level Math or English classes in college.

The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, Science and an optional Writing portion. ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the US.

The SAT is more than just a college admissions test. When your teen takes the SAT, they can use their scores to be seen by colleges and scholarship programs. They also get customized career information to help them understand all their options after high school. Most colleges—including those that are test optional—still accept SAT scores.

Students who plan enrolling in a four-year or bachelor’s degree program, a two-year or associate’s program, or a certificate program that will last longer than one year, you will need to demonstrate college readiness in order to avoid taking developmental courses. The scores are valid for 5 years.

All juniors are administered this exam at their La Joya ISD High School campus for free. Students have the opportunity to improve their score in the Fall of their senior year if they choose. 

The top 10% of La Joya ISD juniors and by parent/student request. 

• Mathematics: a minimum score of 950 or less than 950 and a diagnostic level 6

• ELAR (English language arts, writing and reading): a minimum score of 945 on the multiple-choice section with an essay score of 5-8, or less than 945 on the multiple-choice section, a diagnostic level of 5 or 6, and an essay score of 5-8

Students who meet the following scoring guidelines are considered TSI Met by universities, colleges, and community-colleges and will not be required to take intervention courses when enrolling their first year.

• Mathematics: 22 on Mathematics

• ELAR (English language arts, writing and reading): 40 on combined English & Reading

SAT required scores for college readiness: 

• 480 or higher qualifying score Evidenced based Reading & Writing

• 530 or higher Math

All students taking the TSI for the first time are required to submit proof of completion before testing. No student will be allowed to test, until they have completed their Pre-Assessment Activity. If you have tested before for TSI and have completed your Pre-Assessment Activity you do not have to take it again.

Students can visit this link to complete your Pre-Assessment Activity.

• Click on the preassessment account (PAA) button

• Create an account—tell students to use a personal email address not the school email address

• Logs on with their credentials

• Clicks on Texas Success Initiative 2.0 Pre-Assessment Activity (TSIA2—PAA)

• Clicks on Begin Pre-Assessment Activity

Your free, ultimate guide to the ACT test is here! Your free practice test resources includes:

• A full-length practice test (including writing prompt).

• An overview of the ACT test and what to expect on test day.

• General test-taking strategies to bring your best self to test day.

You can visit this link to practice for the ACT Exam.

To become familiar with the test and its format, students can download the Bluebook testing app and head to the Practice and Prepare section. They can explore the tools and features of the app and try a few sample questions in the test preview or take a full-length practice test.

Using the same login information you used in Bluebook, go to mypractice.collegeboard.org and review the questions you answered incorrectly, along with the explanation of the correct answer. By doing this you can focus on the types of questions and skills that you need to practice most.

It’s no surprise that one of the best ways to prepare for the digital SAT is to study, and we recommend you use the official resources created by the makers of the SAT. College Board has been partnering with Khan Academy for years to provide SAT preparation that’s tailored to you and absolutely free. It’s called Official Digital SAT Prep, and it’s the most comprehensive and official SAT study resource available. By clicking the button in My Practice College Board you can explore every question in the specific practice test you took on Khan Academy. We recommend you spend 6–20 hours preparing for your first SAT. Make sure you give yourself time to review the concepts you’re struggling with

Once your PAA is completed, take advantage of the free TSIA2 practice tests and learning resources below.

Students can visit this link to practice for the TSIA2.

The PSAT 8/9 tests your child’s reading, writing, and math skills. The questions on the are grade-appropriate for eighth and ninth graders.

PSAT 8/9 scores aren’t sent to colleges

The PSAT 10 is the same test as the PSAT/NMSQT, offered at a different time of year: 

• The test offers students opportunities to earn scholarships and academic recognition.

• Students can use their PSAT 10 scores to get free personalized practice for the SAT.

• PSAT 10 scores give students and their teachers information on what AP courses they will likely do well in.

• Their scores also give students information on what areas they’re strong in and what they need to work on.

Taking the PSAT/NMSQT is more than just good practice for the SAT, and the scores are more than just a number. With your child’s results, they can:

• See where they are and set a target: 

You’ll get details on the exact skills and knowledge they need to focus on, while they have plenty of time to improve. If they’ve taken the PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10, they’ll also see how much progress they’ve made between the tests. They can also use their score from the PSAT/NMSQT, along with some research about their college and career goals, to set their own personal target SAT score. Historically, students who took the PSAT/NMSQT scored better on the SAT, on average, than those who didn’t take the test.

• Find out about their AP Potential

Students who take an AP® course are better positioned to succeed in college. Your child may not realize that they’re ready to take college level courses and that they have the potential to succeed. Using their personalized view of AP Potential , found in their score report, they’ll get recommendations for courses that may be a good fit for them.

• Enter the National Merit Scholarship Program

Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT and meet other program entry requirements specified in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide will enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) Visit NMSC’s website at National Merit for more information.

• Help pay for college: Taking the PSAT/NMSQT gives your child the chance to access over $300 million in other scholarship opportunities.

• Connect to their future: When your child takes the PSAT/NMSQT, they’ll be asked for their mobile phone number so they can download the free BigFuture School mobile app and have their PSAT/NMSQT scores delivered right to their phone. They’ll get customized career information and guidance about planning and paying for college. Depending on their school or district, they can use the Connections feature, which lets them here from nonprofit colleges, scholarships and educational organizations interested in them—without having to share any personal information.

This exam is administered to 8th and 9th graders

While the PSAT/NMSQT is given to 10th and 11th graders in the fall, the PSAT is given to 10th graders in the spring.

While the PSAT/NMSQT 11th graders in the fall.

Watch this video to find out what to expect on the test day.

Taking the PSAT 8/9 can help your child set and achieve their goals. With your child’s results, they can:

• Know where they are—and where they want to go. As your child begins their high school journey, results from the PSAT 8/9 can help set a baseline. You and their teachers will know what skills and knowledge they need to practice so they can continue to improve.

• Find out what AP Courses might be a good fit for them. Students who take an AP course are better positioned to succeed in future high school classes and in college. Your child may not realize that they’re ready to take college level courses and that they have the potential to succeed. Using their personalized view of AP Potential, found in their score report, you’ll get recommendations for certain courses that may be a good fit for your child.

• Explore college and career options. As they think about their plans for life after high school, BigFuture has information to help. They’ll use it to get personalized guidance based on their scores, search for colleges that interest them and save their favorites to their own list, and explore careers that match their interests and skills.

• Track their progress. As they continue in high school, they’ll take other tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments, including PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT and/or the SAT. Because all these tests measure the same knowledge and skills, you’ll be able to see your child’s improvement over time.

Your PSAT 10 score can be useful to you in several ways. It gives you valuable practice for the SAT and insight into how to prepare, and it opens opportunities for scholarships and recognition.

• Explore paths to take after high school.
  Download the BigFuture School Mobile app to access your scores and receive information to help plan your future journey to college and/or career. If you provide your mobile number when you take the PSAT 10, you should receive a text with a link to download and sign in to the app.

Go deeper on BigFuture to further develop your college and career plan—for free. Explore 1,000 career profiles, discover colleges based on what you're looking for, and learn about ways to pay for college.

• Explore scholarship programs.
  College Board partners with a variety of education organizations to help connect students like you to funding for college. Find scholarship information from our partners so you can independently explore opportunities to help pay for college.

   

• Practice and improve your score.
  Use your PSAT 10 score report to receive tailored resources from Khan Academy and develop a study plan. Khan Academy's digital SAT course content includes videos, articles, and worked examples designed to help you understand and experience the digital SAT Suite of Assessments.

PSAT/NMSQT scores are available in November. In addition to getting direct access to their scores in the BigFuture School mobile app, your child will get a pdf score report from their school (if they don’t, they can ask their school counselor for it). And they can log into insights about their scores and explore the Big Future. their personal College Board account at studentscores.collegeboard.org to get additional

Scores range from 320 to 1520 and are on the same score scale as the SAT. This means that a score of 1100 on the PSAT/NMSQT is equivalent to a score of 1100 on the SAT. The only difference is that SAT scores range from 400 to 1600, because the difficulty level of the questions is higher than on the PSAT/NMSQT.

Students also receive a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score, which National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses as an initial screen of students to the National Merit Scholarship Program. The Selection Index score is calculated from the Reading and Writing and Math section scores and ranges from 48 to 228.

Because the purpose of the PSAT 8/9 is to identify the areas students need to focus on and set a starting point for progress, your child doesn’t have to do anything special to prepare for the test.

If your child does the following three things, they’ll be ready to take the PSAT 8/9:

• Pays attention in class

• Completes their homework

• Asks for help when they need it

To become familiar with the test and its format, students can download the Bluebook testing app and head to the Practice and Prepare section. They can explore the tools and features of the app and try a few sample questions in the test preview or take a full-length practice test.

Familiarize yourself with the PSAT 10 Reading and Writing Section so you can prepare for test day at this link. 

Learn about the types of math on the PSAT 10 Math Test, when you should use a calculator, and more at this link.

The best way your child can prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT is to pay attention in their high school classes and study the course material. Students who do well in school are likely to do well on the PSAT/NMSQT.

To become familiar with the test and its format, students can sign into the Bluebook™ testing app and head to the Practice and Prepare section.  They can explore the tools and features of the app and try a few sample questions in the test preview or take a full-length practice test. Then, they can review their results at mypractice.collegeboard.org. Once they know what knowledge and skills they need to work on, they can use Official digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy. It's a free, interactive study tool that provides personalized practice resources that focuses on exactly what your child needs to stay on track for college and career.