Academic Testing

Important Information for all Undergraduate Students

Texas Success Initiative — State Requirements

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state statute requiring all undergraduate students - new students, transfer students, and international students - who enter a Texas public institution of higher education to either: (A) Demonstrate readiness for college level reading, writing, and mathematics before enrolling in college level academic coursework by achieving the statutory threshold(s) on the state approved readiness assessments or (B) Meet one of the conditions for exemption from the testing requirement. Students must satisfy all TSI requirements before receiving a baccalaureate degree. Students who do not meet TSI requirements must usually complete developmental coursework to attain TSI compliance.

All first-year and transfer students coming into the University of North Texas at Dallas must have completed TSI testing or have a documented exemption before registering for classes. Your registration will be delayed if TSI status cannot be determined before your orientation session.

Exemptions: Students are exempt from readiness testing if any of these exemption categories apply. If you are TSI Exempt, please fill out the TSI Exemption Form (pdf) with the appropriate documentation and send it to University College.

If Not Exempt: UNT Dallas accepts current scores from the ACCUPLACER, ASSET, COMPASS, or THEA tests for assessment purposes. These state-approved tests measure college-level readiness in reading, mathematics, and writing. Minimum score thresholds required to demonstrate college readiness in each subject area are as follows:
Minimum Required Scores for College Readiness (by Subject)

Standardized Exams

• ACCUPLACER -- ACCUPLACER tests administered at UNT Dallas assess students’ skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.  ACCUPLACER scores may be required for particular degree programs.  Consult with your program advisor to determine which tests you need to take, and contact Academic Support at 972-338-1645 to schedule a testing appointment.  ACCUPLACER results are available immediately after testing.

• THEA -- The purpose of the Texas Higher Education Assessment is to assess the reading, mathematics, and writing skills of students.  UNT Dallas does not currently offer this exam, but the exam may be required for your degree program or scholarship requirements. Talk with your academic advisor to determine if you need to take the THEA. For more information about the THEA exam, visit the THEA website.

• GRE/GMAT -- UNT Dallas does not administer the GRE or GMAT exams.  We do provide GRE/GMAT Preparation workshops each semester.  These workshops are open to UNT Dallas and non-students.  UNT Dallas students can also use the preparation software available in the Math Lab. Click here to enroll.

Each preparation workshop meets for two consecutive Saturdays for a total of 16 hours of instruction.  Upcoming dates for the GRE Test Prep are:

March 26 & April 2, 2016

April 16 & 23, 2016

Math Placement Exam

EVERY undergraduate student enrolling in a math course must take a math placement test unless he or she has:

• Passed a UNT math course with a minimum grade of C, or
• Passed a transfer course at the level of UNT's MATH 1100 (or above) with a minimum grade of C

For more information about the Math Placement Exam, visit the Placement Exam page.

You may want to review the math placement sequence or meet with your academic advisor to determine which math class is right for your major.