Testing Center

TSI Assessment

What is the TSI Assessment?

As of August 26, 2013, an institution of higher education shall use the TSI Assessment as the only approved assessment instrument for all students attending a public college (TAC §4.55-4.56). The Testing Center is here to assist you with the enrollment process and before registering for your first college course, you must meet the requirements for the Texas Success Initiative (TAC §4.54). The state-mandated program is designed to help determine if you are ready for college-level course work: 

• ELAR = 945+ with an essay of 5+ or ELAR < 945 with an essay of 5+ and Diagnostic of 5 or 6
• Mathematics = 950 + or < 950 an Diagnostic = 6

Students who score below the cut scores are placed in the appropriate Refresher, Co-Requisite, or developmental course and will need to earn a "C" or better.

TSI Student Informative Brochure

What is TSIA 2.0?

TSIA 2.0

The TSIA 2.0 (TSIA2) launched on January 11, 2021. The updated assessment includes the following enhancements:

• Integration of separate Reading and Writing assessments to one English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) assessment
• Students not meeting college readiness benchmarks will now have one diagnostic assessment
• Free, online library of TSIA2 learning resources for instructional and practice materials that relate to the objectives of the assessments

Am I Exempt for the TSI Assessment?

All students not meeting the exemptions, exceptions, and waivers (see table 1) as defined must take the TSI Assessment as a diagnostic tool to determine reading, writing, and mathematics basic skills. All students who qualify for an exemption, exception or waiver must complete the GO FAARR module and bring the appropriate documentation to the Testing Center.

TSI Assessment Exemption Request Form

What if I Already Took the TSI Assessment?

Cross Institutional Reporting Form - Use this form if you need our office to pull your TSI Assessment scores electronically from another institution.

Cross Institutional Reporting Form

Prior to Testing

1. Start your application by reviewing Ready, Set, Apply & click on the Apply Texas link.
2. Check your email to learn how to access your ACES online student portal
3. Submit your official high school transcript, official GED certificate or official college transcript(s)
4. Go to our college website www.alamo.edu/spc and login to ACES
5. Select the “Start Here” tab, checklist items 1, 2, and 3 must be completed before you are eligible to test
6. Click on the “ENROLL” button to begin & complete the GO FAARR module
7. Click on the “ENROLL” button to begin & complete the Test Prep module
8. When items 1, 2, & 3 on the checklist are complete, schedule your testing appointment.

Need to take the TSI off campus, click on Distance Education tab for further instructions.

* Non-Alamo College students must complete a pre-assessment activity and submit proof of completion prior to taking the TSI Assessment at any of our test sites.

Special Testing Needs

Students with documented disabilities may qualify for testing accommodations on the TSI Assessment. Documentation must be presented to the Disability Services (DS) Office in advance. For more information regarding documentation requirements, students may call DS at 210-486-2199 or 210-486-2411.

What Do I Need the Day of Testing?

• You must have a valid photo ID
• You must have an application on file at one of the Alamo Colleges
• You will need your Banner ID (Don't know your Banner ID? Call SPC IT at 210-486-2777 or District IT at 210-486-0555 to find out your Banner ID.)
• You will need the fee for the test or a payment receipt (see Test Fees)
• All students need to complete the GO FAARR and Test Prep modules prior to testing
• Remember the following items are prohibited in the test center lab(s) and will be secured in a designated locker: cell phones (possession or use during the test session), calculators, hats and headwear (except those for religious purposes), food or drinks, printed or handwritten material(s), unauthorized aids, or watches.

TSI Study Links

• TSIA2 ELAR Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Essay Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Mathematics Sample Questions
• TSI Study App
• TSIA2 Learning Resources
• The Khan Academy

GED Testing

St. Philip’s College is designated as an Authorized Pearson Vue Test Center for the administration of the General Educational Development Computer Based Test (GED-CBT) under the guidelines of the GED Testing Services and Texas Education Agency (TEA). Tests may only be administered by authorized testing centers under TEC 7.11 and TAC 89.41-47.

High School Equivalency Score Requirement

GED: A minimum total score of 580 points with no individual test score less than 145 on each of the four exams.

Required items the day of the test

1. Government issued identification (Texas DL/Texas ID, Military ID, Passport/Visa, or Consulate ID)
2. Proof of Texas Residency (if you do not have a Texas ID/DL)
3. Be 18 years of age or older (for age exceptions visit TEA eligibility requirements)
   
   

GED Records

• GED Certificate Search
• GED Certificate/Transcript/Duplicate Request
  
  

Contact Information

The GED Testing Center is located in the St. Philip’s College Welcome Center, room 207B. We administer the Official GED in room 206B.

• Office & Information: 210-486-2525
• GED Test Center#: 70376

CLEP Testing

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) through College Board is a computer-based test that provides an opportunity for students to obtain college credit courses in areas that they may have attained college level proficiency.

Visit the St. Philip's College Catalog for a listing of CLEP courses offered and accepted.

Registration and Fees

To Register for the CLEP Test:

• Complete CLEP registration by creating a College Board Account
• Create a College Board CLEP Account (Site Code 06642)
• Pay the $93 College Board CLEP Fee.  
• Print your Registration Receipt.
• Schedule your appointment
• $20 SPC CLEP Fee due on the day of test.
• Pay SPC CLEP Fee

The Day of Your CLEP Exam

A valid government issued ID is required.

Review that you have completed the steps above in preparation for your CLEP Exam.

For more information regarding the CLEP, visit www.clep.collegeboard.org and for the CLEP Identification policy and the next steps, visit the CLEP College Board "Taking the Test" page.

Visit our Market Place at ALAMO COLLEGES TEST CENTERS - SPC to pay your exam fee.

TSI at No Cost*

*The TSIA 2 is currently available at no cost for students that have a St. Philip's College application and only for the initial test administration.  This does not apply for retest. Students needing TSIA 2 for the purpose of Dual Credit or Early Admit are not eligible for No Cost option.

TSI Assessment:

GED Test:

Next Generation Test:

Correspondence:

CLEP Fee to College Board:

CLEP Fee to Test Center:

Submitting TSI scores to SPC

In response to COVID-19, SPC's Testing Center will only be accepting TSI scores electronically through CSV files. A link below has been provide for you with the Auto Upload instructions. 

• DC & ECHS Presentation Fall 2023
• DC & ECHS Professional Development Spring 2024
• Auto Upload Instructions
• Submit to spc-testcenter@alamo.edu
• TSI Common Entry Requirements

Study Links

• TSIA2 ELAR Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Essay Sample Questions
• TSIA2 Mathematics Sample Questions
• TSI Study App
• TSIA2 Learning Resources
• The Khan Academy

CollegeBoard Support

• CollegeBoard Examity Webinar
• Steps to Create an Examity Online Remote Voucher
• CollegeBoard Helpdesk