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THEA  |  CREDIT BY EXAMS  |   MATH PLACEMENT TEST

THEA
(Texas Higher Education Assessment) THEA Home page
The Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) was instituted by the Texas Legislature to ensure that students enrolled in public colleges and universities possess the necessary academic skills. All undergraduate students must take the THEA test prior to enrollment in college-level courses at Texas public colleges and universities unless they qualify for a THEA exemption. Non-residents pf Texas may substitute the ASSET or COMPASS tests, offered by ACT or the ACCUPLACER test offered by the College Board (SAT). Questions about the THEA test may be directed to the TAMUG Office of Academic Enhancement at (409)-741-4343.

Note: ACT and SAT scores can be no more than five years old at time of enrollment. TASP scores can be no more than three years old at time of enrollment.

Exemptions are as follows:

• ACT—composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both the math and English tests; or
• SAT—(for tests taken in April of 1995 or after) combined scores of 1070 or higher with verbal and math scores equal to or greater than 500; or (for tests taken prior to April 1995) combined scores of 970 with verbal score equal to or greater than 420 and math score equal to or greater than 470; or
• TAKS—a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, and a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the math test and 89 on the reading test; or
• Earned at least three semester credit hours prior to the 1989 fall semester; or
• Completed an associates or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Students who do not meet established exemption scores for the THEA test are required by Texas law to enroll in an academic skills course and/or program each semester prior to successfully passing the THEA test. Failure to meet attendance requirements of the academic skills course will result in withdrawal from Texas A&M. The hours for these courses will not count toward any degree program, but may count toward full-time status.

All undergraduate students who are not exempt from THEA must take the THEA test or an approved alternative test prior to registering for college-level courses during the New Student Conference.
If you test less than one month prior to your New Student Conference, you should bring proof of attendance to 529 Blocker (Center for Academic Enhancement) to get cleared for registration. You will not be permitted to register for classes if you do not have proof of having tested for THEA or scores indicating exemption.

Credit By Exams
You must register in advance.  The registration form can be found in the packet mailed with your admission letter.

Credit by examinations are offered during the New Student Conference. If you wish to take any of the tests please do not forget to return the registration form included in the admission packet. There is a $30 charge for each test taken that will be added to your semester fee statement.

BIOLOGY 113 - Criteria: None, any student may apply for this examination.

BIOLOGY 114 - Criteria: Passing score on the Biology 113 examination.

CHEMISTRY 101 - Criteria: None, any student may apply for the examination.

CHEMISTRY 102 – Criteria: Passing score on the Chemistry 101 examination.

ENGLISH 104 - Criteria: None, Any student may apply for this exam.

MATHEMATICS - Criteria: Credit by exam testing in mathematics begins with the first mathematics course required in the student’s major, which can be determined by consulting the current University Catalog. Students are eligible to take the departmental examination for mathematics courses if their ACT Mathematics score is 28 or higher, their SAT Mathematics score is 620 or higher, or their SAT Mathematics and Mathematics Achievement (level 1 or 11) Scores average 620 or higher. A student who qualifies for credit by exam in the initial math course may take the exam covering the second math course in the curriculum. This procedure may be continued until the student is unsuccessful on an examination.

PHYSICS 201 & 202 - Criteria: None.

PHYSICS 218 - Criteria: None. Any student who will need Physics 218 for his or her degree program may apply for this examination.

PHYSICS 208 - Criteria: Credit in Physics 218.

SPANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN – Students who intend to enroll for the first time in a college foreign language course who have had instruction, however acquired, and who have no foreign language credit in college must take a placement test to determine the appropriate course for their level of ability. The placement test also serves as a basis for credit by examination. Please note, if you have used the language for high school language requirement, you must take the test for a different language to earn credit.

Math Placement Test
The Math Placement Test is required of all new students who are not transferring in credit for a college math class at least at the college algebra level.  Credit for college level math through credit by exams or AP testing will exempt a student.  We use the test along with your SAT or ACT scores and past academic history in math to place you in the appropriate math course.

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