Test Prep Module PreAssessment Activity PAA The PreAssessment

Test Prep Module Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)

The Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) will. . . Test. Prep Module PAA • guide you through the process of the TSI assessment and test components. • provide you information to help you understand your options upon completion of your test. • help you prepare to take the TSI by providing practice test questions. • list student resources for your reference.

Texas Success Initative (TSI) Assessment WHO All incoming college students in Texas are required to take the Test. Prep Module TSI Assessment Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment unless you meet exemption criteria. PURPOSE The TSI determines if you ready for college-level coursework by evaluating your skills in Reading, Writing and Math. TSI is not a pass / fail test. HOW IT’s USED The results of the TSI are important as scores determine your academic readiness. Upon completion of your test, your advisor or counselor will assist you in registering for courses that are a good fit for your skill level and your career interests.

Do I have to take the TSI Assessment? Not all students need to take the TSI Assessment. There are many ways you can be exempt. Qualifying for an exemption means that you can enroll in an entry-level college course without restrictions. Test. Prep Module TSI Exemptions You may be exempt if you • Meet the minimum college readiness standard on the ACT, SAT, or a Texas statewide high school test • Successfully completed a high school college preparatory course • Successfully completed a college-level English and Math course • Are not seeking a degree • Are serving as an Active Duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States or an Honorably Discharged Veteran after Aug 1, 1990 If you think you may be exempt, contact your high school counselor or dual credit liaison and/or the Assessment or Advising Center at your college for verification.

Why is preparing for the TSI Assessment so important? Click on the photo to learn why it is important to do your best on the TSI Assessment.

Process & Components of TSI Test. Prep Module What can I expect ? • Computer Administered - Multiple Choice/Essay using keyboard & mouse • Untimed – but is lengthy and can take 4 - 5 hours • Recommend allowing - two hours for writing, one hour each for reading & math • Computer Adaptive - Questions increase or decrease in difficulty (depending on how you respond) • Diagnostic Test - Provides an academic profile to target areas and fast-track your college preparatory program. • Scored Immediately

Before you test, you need to know. . . • TSI Assessment determines your college readiness … prepare!!! • You must complete this test prep module (PAA) prior to testing. Test. Prep Module Before Testing • A valid photo identification (any state or federal government-issued ID) must be presented • The TSI is used for placement purposes; it is not a pass or fail assessment • You have 14 calendar days from your first log-in to complete the test • TSI Assessment fee provided on the college campus is $32. 00* • High School Students: Refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison for the TSI Assessment fee provided on your high school campus • Re-testing • TSI Re-Test fee provided on the college campus is $12. 00* per section • High School Students: Refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison for the TSI Assessment fee provided on your high school campus • No study materials, reference materials, cell phones or other communication devices allowed in the testing lab. Calculators “pop up” when needed. *Fees Subject to Change

Preparing to take the TSI Test. Prep Module Before Testing üUse the Practice test questions in this module to help you prepare. üGet enough sleep the night before the tests. üEat properly before testing to energize your brain and help you focus. üWear comfortable clothes to maximize performance. üKnow where you are going and how to register for testing. Be Prepared before Testing!

What strategy should I use when taking the TSI Assessment? üArrive early and choose a comfortable location. Test. Prep Module Day of Your Test üStay relaxed and confident. Keep a good attitude and remind yourself that you are going to do your best. üRead directions carefully! üRead the question and all answer choices before entering your response. You cannot change answers once you leave a page. üTry to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess you can and move on. Relax. Breathe. Pace Yourself.

What if I score below the College Level? TALK to an Advisor ! Developmental education includes non-credit courses that don’t count towards your Test. Prep Module After Testing certificate or degree. The courses are designed to help you improve your basic skills, in reading, math or English. Post-Assessment Advising & Refresher Courses • Alamo Collges offers a variety of options and interventions help you improve your TSI placement. • After you test, an advisor will help you understand your scores and register you for a Refresher Course, if required. Offered at no cost to you before the semester begins. • Refresher courses can save time and money by giving you a second opportunity to move into a higher developmental course or college-level course. • You will not be able to register for any classes until you enroll in the Refresher. • Upon completing a Refresher, meet with advisor once again for assistance on registering for appropriate coursework.

Can I retake the test? Yes, You Can! • You may retake the TSI Assessment at any time. Test. Prep Module Retest ? • You are required to pay the fee each time you test. If you are retesting on your high school campus, please refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison to determine the fee. • Before you attempt to retest, it is strongly recommended you set aside time for review. You are encouraged not to retest on the same day of your initial assessment.

Resources

Students with disabilities may request accommodations by contacting the Disability Office at Your College. Test. Prep Module Support for Students with Disabilities It is best to submit appropriate documentation and a request for services at least 2 weeks prior to the needed services. College Contact Northeast Lakeview College STCM 222 H Student Commons Phone: (210) 486 -5487 Email: nlc-dsscounsel@alamo. edu Northwest Vista College Cypress Campus Center, Room 204 Phone: 210 -486 -4466 Email: nvc-access@alamo. edu Palo Alto College Palomino Center (PC 116) Phone: 210 -486 -3020 Email: cgibbs 3@alamo. edu St. Philip’s College MLK Campus Sutton Learning Center 102 Phone: 210 -486 -2199 San Antonio College Southwest Campus LIFEspace Center, ITC A-135 Phone: 210 -486 -7175 Email: mbotello@alamo. edu Moody Learning Center, Room 1 st Floor Phone: 210 -486 -0020 Email: kmccarty 10@alamo. edu

Financing Your Education Apply for FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Test. Prep Module Financing your Education You may be eligible for the many forms of financial aid available to you such as grants, loans, work study and scholarships. This FAFSA application can take 3 -4 weeks to process. It’s important to complete the application in a timely manner. Financial aid does not apply to Dual Credit, Early College High School, and Alamo Academies. Check with your high school counselor for opportunities.

Learn More about. . . Student Resources Click on the links below if you are interested in more information • Test. Prep Module Student Resources by College • Child Care Resources Northeast Lakeview College Texas Child Care Northwest Vista College Palo Alto College St. Philip’s College San Antonio College • Community Resources Financial Resources * Student Financial Aid Office Food Bank FAFSA Alamo Colleges Foundation Free VIA Bus Pass College for All Texans San Antonio Housing Authority Cafecollege / Find the Money United Way * Financial Resources cannot be applied to enrollment in Dual Credit, Early College High School or Alamo Academy programs.

Learn More about. . . Student Resources Click on the links below if you are interested in more information Test. Prep Module Student Resources • Advocacy Centers • by College We Can Help You With. . . Food Pantry Northeast Lakeview College Health Services Northwest Vista College Social Services Palo Alto College Emergency Aid St. Philip’s College Clothing Closet San Antonio College Book Voucher Program • * Services may vary by college.

Learn More about. . . Student Resources Click on the links below if you are interested in more information Test. Prep Module Student Resources • Advocacy Centers • by College We Can Help You With. . . Food Pantry Northeast Lakeview College Health Services Northwest Vista College Social Services Palo Alto College Emergency Aid St. Philip’s College Clothing Closet San Antonio College Book Voucher Program • * Services may vary by college.

Testing Centers Northeast Lakeview College http: //www. alamo. edu/nlc/Assessment/ Test. Prep Module Testing Centers Northwest Vista College https: //www. alamo. edu/nvc/admissions-and-aid/testing-center/ Palo Alto College http: //www. alamo. edu/pac/testing-center/ St. Philip’s College http: //www. alamo. edu/spc/testing-center/ San Antonio College http: //www. alamo. edu/sac/assessment-center/

Practice Tests & Sample Questions & material provided by College Board

Math Sample Questions Test. Prep Module Sample Questions The Math test includes questions in four content areas: Elementary Algebra and Functions Intermediate Algebra and Functions Geometry and Measurement Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

Math Sample Questions Choose the best answer from the multiple choices given. Test. Prep Module Sample Questions 1. If 3 t-7=5 t, then 6 t = A. 21 B. -7 C. -21 D. -42 2. A group of 18 people ordered soup and sandwiches for lunch. Each person in the group had either one soup or one sandwich. The sandwiches cost $7. 75 each and the soups cost $4. 50 each. If the total cost of all 18 lunches was $113. 50, how many sandwiches were ordered? A. 7 B. 8 C. 9 D. 10 Questions & material provided by College Board

Math Sample Questions Choose the best answer from the multiple choices given. 3. There are 20 children in the cast of a class play, and 8 of the children are boys. Of the boys, 4 have a speaking part in the play, and of the girls, 8 do not have a speaking part in the play. If a child from the cast of the play is chosen at random, what is the probability that the child has a speaking part? Test. Prep Module Sample Questions A. B. C. D. 1. 25 12 35 34 4. In the xy -plane, what is the y -intercept of the graph of the equation y = 2( x + 3)( x - 4)? A. -24 B. -12 C. -2 D. 12 Questions & material provided by College Board

Reading Sample Questions The Reading test includes questions in four content areas: Test. Prep Module Sample Questions Literary Analysis Main Idea and Supporting Details Inferences in a Text or Texts Author’s Use of Language

Reading Sample Question Choose the best answer from the multiple choices given. Test. Prep Module Sample Questions 1. In 2010, talk show host Oprah Winfrey and novelist Jonathan Franzen kissed and made up after a nine- year feud. In 2001, Franzen was disinvited from appearing on Winfrey’s TV show to pitch his novel The Corrections after he made it clear that he was unhappy about the book’s being chosen for the Oprah Book Club. Describing his work as “in the high-art literary tradition, ” Franzen said he didn’t want to be associated with the Club, which he accused of occasionally choosing “schmaltzy, one-dimensional” novels. But Winfrey is apparently able to forgive and forget: she chose Franzen’s next novel, Freedom, for her book club and said of it, “Now you haven’t heard me say this word often, but this book is a masterpiece. ” 2. The passage implies that Franzen’s criticism of the Oprah Book Club was motivated primarily by A. pride B. anger C. insensitivity D. ignorance Questions & material provided by College Board

Reading Sample Question Choose the best answer from the multiple choices given. Test. Prep Module Sample Questions 2. Long thought to be a case of mistaken identity, the discovery of the Bornean rainbow toad by European explorers in 1924 was recently verified by scientists. The explorers had made a black-and-white sketch of an unusual toad they had found in the jungles of Southeast Asia, christening it the Bornean rainbow toad. Skeptical but curious, scientists recently went to look for the toad—and ended up finding three specimens. The passage implies which of the following about the Bornean rainbow toad? A. Some people doubted the existence of the toad. B. Scientists were confident that they would find the toad. C. The surviving toads have been relocated to Europe. D. No human being had seen the toad since 1924. Questions & material provided by College Board

Writing Sample Questions The Writing test includes questions in four content areas: Test. Prep Module Sample Questions Essay Revision Agreement Sentence Structure Sentence Logic

Writing Sample Question Choose the best answer from the multiple choices given. Test. Prep Module Sample Questions Think about how you would rewrite the following sentence according to the directions given, and then choose the best answer. Keep in mind that your revision should not change the meaning of the original sentence. 1. If Antarctica’s icebergs could be floated north before melting, many arid areas would experience relief from drought. Rewrite, beginning with If they could be floated north before melting, … The next words will be A. relief would be brought B. many arid areas would experience C. Antarctica’s icebergs would bring D. drought relief would be experienced Questions & material provided by College Board

Writing Sample Question Choose the best answer from the multiple choices given. Test. Prep Module Sample Questions Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer. 2. It is important to learn how to swim, even if one is afraid; the skill will invariably prove useful later in your life. A. one is B. you are C. everyone is D. they are Questions & material provided by College Board

Answers to Sample Question Test. Prep Module Answers Math Questions Correct Answer 1 C 2 D 3 A 4 A Reading Questions Correct Answer 1 A 2 A Writing Questions Correct Answer 1 C 2 B For Rationale, download the TSI Test Sample Questions Texas Success Initiative Sample Questions

TSI Practice Test Links Download sample test questions to practice prior to testing. Test. Prep Module Practice Test Resources Texas Success Initiative Sample Questions Alamo Colleges Test Prep TSIA Free Web-Based Study App - A valid email address is needed to create an account **Please note TSI is a provided by Accuplacer.

Other Resources to help you prepare for the TSI TASA at i. Tunes. U Test. Prep Module Practice Test Resources http: //www. itunes. com/tasa Southern Regional Education Board: Literacy. Ready and Math. Ready courses http: //www. sreb. org/page/1508/sreb_readiness_courses. html College Readiness Assignments for Texas http: //craftx. org

NEXT STEP! Confirm that you received the information presented in the Test Prep module by clicking the submit button on the next slide. Check with your college to take the TSI Assessment. You are not required to wait!

I certify that I have received the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity (Test Prep) at the Alamo Colleges District. Submit