Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP)
The TASP test is part of the Texas Academic Skills Program mandated by the Texas Legislature and is designed to determine whether students possess the basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics necessary for success in university courses. Should a deficiency be revealed in any of the three skill areas, students must begin an appropriate program of remediation. This means that during each semester a student is enrolled in collegiate-level work, that student must participate and be enrolled in a developmental course or courses.
Recent changes in TASP legislation require non-exempt students who plan on entering a Texas public college or university to have taken the TASP test or an approved alternative test prior to enrolling in collegiate-level course work. UTB/TSC must have official TASP scores on file prior to course registration. For information on the approved alternative to the TASP, contact the Testing Office in Tandy Hall #216 or call (956) 544-8875.
The TASP test fees will be paid by the student. Students who believe they qualify for TASP fee waivers should contact the Financial Aid Office.
A student whose performance is below the standard for tested skill areas must participate continuously in a developmental program. “Continuously” means that during each semester in which a student is enrolled the student must participate and be enrolled in a developmental program.
A student who fails to remain in a state-required developmental program will be automatically withdrawn from all college-level courses. On completion of the developmental coursework or program, the student shall retake that portion of the TASP for which developmental education was required.
A student may not enroll in any upper division course whose completion would give the student 60 or more semester credit hours or the equivalent until the student’s TASP test results meet or exceed the minimum standards in each skill area for which developmental education was required, or the student has earned a grade of “B” or better in specified course. For a list of “B” or better courses, contact the Academic Advising Center, Tandy Hall #214.
TASP Update!
TASP requirements state that the TASP test must be attempted at least once before
enrolling in college classes. See section below for TASP Exemptions.
If you have taken TASP but have not passed all three sections, you will be required to register for ALL three sections of developmental courses.
If you have any questions regarding this new requirement, please visit the Academic Advising Center at Tandy Hall #214 to meet with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to discuss how the new regulations may affect you.
TASP Exemptions
The following groups are exempt from taking the TASP test.
1. Students who earned at least three credit hours of college-level work prior to Fall 1989.
2. Students who have official score reports on file for any of the following:
a. ACT composite score of 23 or higher with individual math and English scores of no less than 19. Scores can be no more than five years old.
b. SAT combined score of 1070 or higher on tests taken April 1, 1995 or later, with verbal and math scores of no less than 500. For tests taken prior to April 1, 1995, SAT combined score of 970 with a minimum of 420 on the verbal and 470 on the mathematics test. Scores can be no more than five years old.
c. Exit-level TAAS scores of 1770 on writing, and a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on mathematics and 89 on reading. TAAS scores can be no more than three years old.
d. Blind and deaf students who have three or more college level credit hours prior to September 1, 1995, are TASP exempt. Effective September 1, 1995, students who are deaf are required to take the Stanford Achievement Test. Blind students are required to take the TASP test with appropriate accommodations. For further information contact the Disabilities Coordinator in Tandy Hall #205.
e. Those in certificate programs of 42 hours or less.
f. Exemption standards may also be found in THECB rules via the Internet at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us
Temporary TASP Waivers
1. Non-degree seeking students enrolled on a temporary basis for one semester who are also enrolled in a private or out-of-state institution of higher education may be given a temporary waiver by providing documentation that they were enrolled in a private or out-of-state institution in the preceding semester.
2. Non-degree seeking students who will be 55 years of age or older on the first class day of a term or semester may receive a temporary waiver, which may be renewed each semester, as long as the student remains non-degree seeking. The student must sign a request for this exemption prior to enrolling in each semester.
3. Senate Bill 944 – Students diagnosed by a qualified professional as having dyslexia or related disorders or a specific learning disability in mathematics must register for the TASP test during the regular registration period and request appropriate accommodations, or, if accommodations are not sought, provide notice of the disability by submitting appropriate documentation directly to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Students determined by the Coordinating Board to meet the criteria and who complete the developmental program prescribed by the institution may be required to retake the test once but may not be referred to additional developmental courses or other developmental programs, or precluded from enrolling in upper division courses because of their performance on the TASP test. For more information, contact the Disability Services Office at the Guidance Center, Tandy Hall #205, or call (956) 544-8292.
Quick TASP and ASSET with Writing
If none of the above applies, students should register for one of the scheduled TASP test
administrations or an approved TASP alternative test, which include the Quick TASP and our
local placement test ASSET with Writing sample. ASSET with Writing sample is an approved
state alternative to the TASP test. Entering students who have not taken the TASP are
eligible to fulfill the TASP requirement by attempting the ASSET with Writing sample. For
dates and times call the Testing Office at (956) 544-8875 or visit Tandy Hall #216 for
more information.
The Academic Advising Center is offering advising for the Quick TASP and ASSET tests. For dates and times, call the Academic Advising Office at 983-7362 visit Tandy Hall #214 for more information.
Note: Test dates and times are subject to change; seating is limited.
Assessment Test
The assessment program is designed to provide effective educational services by
identifying students' strengths and weaknesses in basic skills. The assessment information
is used to provide advising and placement in courses which will best help students improve
skills in English, reading, and mathematics. Assessment and certain minimal scores may
also be criteria for selection into various University programs.
Appropriate reading and English skills are a prerequisite for entering academic courses with the exception of mathematics, Spanish, English as a Second Language, art, music, and speech. Appropriate mathematics skills are a prerequisite for entering academic courses in mathematics. Passing scores in the assessment battery are reviewed periodically and are subject to change. Assessment is mandatory for all new full-time and part-time students except:
Students with disabilities who will require accommodations on the assessment test must present proof of disability to the Disabilities Coordinator in a timely manner.