TSI

Please note: The Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) must be completed BEFORE you can sit for your TSI exam. See the PAA section below for additional information.

What is the TSI?

The purpose of TSI tests is to provide you with useful information about your academic skills in math, english, and reading. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with your academic background, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisors and counselors to determine your course selection.

You can not "pass" or "fail" the placement tests, but it is very important that you do your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills. Visit the TSI site to determine whether or not you need to take the exam.

Already taken the TSI at another location? Visit the TSI site to authorize LU to retrieve your scores.

For more information read the Student Informational Brochure.

Exam Fee

All Testing - ELAR & Math- $30.50
Math - $7.50 (effective May 1, 2025 will increase to $10)
ELAR & Essay - $24.50

Pre-Assessment Activity

Before you take the TSI Assessment you will complete the Pre-Assessment Activity. The Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) includes the following:

An explanation of the importance of the TSI Assessment;
Practice test questions and feedback;
Details about testing at Lamar;
Information on-campus resources that will help you succeed as a college student.

Under 'Select a Practice Test' choose the 'Texas Success Initiative 2.0 Pre-Assessment Activity (TSIA2 – PAA)' option.

After completing the PAA a certificate is awarded as documentation and sent to your email address. Print your PAA completion certificate and bring it to your testing appointment. A voucher for virtual testing will not be issued until your pre-assessment activity is completed. Ensure that you have received your certificate of completion, usually via email, before requesting your voucher.

Proctor U

Live+ Proctoring Fee: $28. Please note: this fee is not part of the cost associated with the TSI Assessment.

$5 for exams booked within 72 hours before the exam time
$8 for exams booked within 24 hours before the exam time

Technical Requirements

You may review all equipment and technology requirements here. Please test your equipment with ProctorU’s free helpdesk service by clicking on “Test Your Equipment” on your ProctorU account homepage. If any of your equipment does not pass the check, which will be indicated with an X, click on the chat icon at the bottom right corner of that page. There you can speak with a representative to troubleshoot any issues.

FAQs:

More questions? Please view ProctorU’s test-taker support FAQ page here.

Still have questions or concerns?

ProctorU wants you to know that they are always available to help! You can always start a live chat by logging into your ProctorU account and clicking the chat icon in the lower right side of your screen, open a support ticket, or call (855) 772-8678.

Requesting a Virtual Remote TSI

There are three steps you will need to take to set up a Virtual Remote TSI Test:

Step 1

Register for the Remote TSI exam. Please note that the student is responsible for any fees charged by the cooperating college or university as well as any fees payable to Lamar University's Testing Services.

A voucher will not be issued until Step 3 is complete.

Step 2

Complete the Pre-Assessment Activity.

Step 3

Complete the TSI Request Form.

Please allow 1-2 business days for your voucher to be issued.

The exam is not processed until the student is registered for the Remote TSI

Once this process is complete the student will receive the voucher number to test.

If a voucher must be reissued due to expiration, use, or incorrect exam selection you must repay and submit a TSI request form.

Exemptions

Find out exemption requirements for the TSI exam.

What to Bring on Test Day

You will need a valid photo ID. Examples of a valid (non-expired) photo ID are:

Driver's License
State ID
Passport
Military ID
School ID

Calculators will be provided on the computer. All examinees must have a social security number or Lamar ID number at the time of the exam.

Scores

Your scores will be electronically reported to Lamar University's Undergraduate Advising Center. You may request a copy of your scores, however these are not considered an official score report for the purposes for advising.

Testing Accommodations

To request accommodations for the TSI because of a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 1990 including the amendments of 2008, you must:

Register with the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), submit documentation of your disability, and meet with the director of the ARC at least 1 week before your test date.
To register with the ARC or review disability documentation guidelines: Accessibility Resource Center (lamar.edu)
For more information about disability-related testing accommodations, please contact the ARC at arc@lamar.edu or 409-880-8347

The Center for Career and Professional Development and the person requesting accommodations will be notified of any assigned testing accommodations prior to the test date. No accommodations will be granted without documentation of disability being on file with the Accessibility Resource Center.