What is the THEA Exam?

The Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) is a state-legislated program that requires students to be assessed in reading, writing, and math skills prior to enrolling in a Texas public institution.  The test is mandated for all Texas public institutions by the Texas Education Code (TEC). 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved the ASSET, COMPASS, and ACCUPLACER as alternative acceptable assessment instruments for entering students. 

If you are not exempt from the THEA Exam for the reasons listed on the THEA form, then you MUST take the test prior to registering for college-level coursework in Texas. The test is offered at most public colleges in Texas and alternative tests are offered outside Texas; however, you should contact one of the following to obtain a registration packet:

• Any public high school or community college in Texas.

• National Evaluations Systems, Inc at (512) 927-5397. Their address is P.O. Box 140347, Austin, Texas 78714-0347. Their web site is http://www.thea.nesinc.com, or select this link THEA.

• The Texas A&M University at Galveston, Office of Academic Enhancement, located in C-Dorm, P.O. Box 1675, Galveston, Texas 77553-1675. Phone: (409) 741-4343 or Email: carrawad@tamug.edu.

• For THEA practice tests go to http://www.testprepreview.com/tasp_practice.htm

• For ACCUPLACER practice tests go to http://www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm

What are the minimum passing standards on the THEA and the other alternative tests?

• THEA:  Math - 230; Reading - 230; Writing - 220

• ACCUPLACER:  Algebra - 63; Reading Comprehension - 78; Written Essay - 6 OR Written Essay 5 and Sentence Skills 80

• ASSET:  Algebra - 38; Reading Skills - 41; Written Essay - 6 OR Written Essay - 5 and Writing Skills 40

• COMPASS:  Algebra - 39; Reading Skills - 81; Written Essay - 6 OR Written Essay 5 and Writing Skills - 59

*The minimum passing standard for the written essay portion of all tests is a score of 6.  However, an essay with a score of 5 will meet this standard if the student meets the objective writing test standard.

What alternative tests does Texas A&M University at Galveston offer?

The Texas A&M University at Galveston offers the ACCUPLACER test as an alternative to the THEA test.  The ACCUPLACER is delivered over the internet from The College Board.  It is a fast and accurate determination of whether a student has the skills to take a freshman college course or would benefit most from developmental work in math, English, and reading. 

What are the exemptions from the THEA/ACCUPLACER Exam?

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Exemptions:

You do not have to take the THEA/ACCUPLACER or an approved alternative test if you:

• have received an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education; or
• have transferred from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework; or
• have met the readiness standard of another Texas public institution of higher education; or
• have been on active duty in the military for at least 3 years preceding enrollment; or
• have been honorably discharged, retired, or released from the US Military, Texas National Guard, or one of the reserve components of the armed forces of the United States on or after August 1, 1990.

The following tests can be used to exempt you from one or more parts of the THEA or an approved alternative test:

SAT:   The student must first achieve a minimum combined verbal and math score of 1070 before partial scores of a least 500 are allowed for the verbal and/or math sections.  If the combined score of 1070 is not first met, then partial scores are not allowed even if those individual scores exceed the score of 500.  A student must attend college within five years from the date of the test in order to use the scores for an exemption.

ACT:   The student must first achieve a minimum composite score of 23 before partial scores of at least 19 are allowed for the English and/or Math tests.  If the minimum composite score of 23 is not first met, then partial scores are not allowed even if those individual scores exceed the score of 19.  A student must attend college within five years from the date of the test in order to use the scores for an exemption.

TAKS:            Students must attend college within three years of their exit-level TAKS test in order to use the scores for an exemption.

            MATH – Partial TAKS scores in math are allowed if the 11^th grade TAKS math score is a minimum of 2200.

            ENGLISH LANGUAGE (E/LA) - Reading and writing sub-scores may not be considered apart from one another.  Exemptions may be given for both the reading and writing only with a minimum score of 2200 and a written composition sub-score of at least 3.  For example, if a student has an E/LA score of 2450 with a written composition sub-score of 2, s/he will not be exempt in either the reading or the writing section.  

If you think you meet one of these exemptions please verify that Texas A&M University at Galveston has this information. 

Admissions and Records makes all exemption determinations. For questions, call : (409) 741-4343 or Email: carrawad@tamug.edu. Please see the detailed list of THEA exemptions on the THEA Registration form.

What if I do not pass the THEA/ACCUPLACER Exam?