The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) Test
The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test is required by Texas law to ensure that students enrolled in Texas public colleges and universities possess the academic skills needed to perform effectively in college-level coursework. TASP includes testing components designed to provide information about the reading, writing, and mathematics skills of each student.

All students subject to the TASP requirement must take the state TASP test or the state-approved ASSET test. Students must present scores to register for classes, unless otherwise exempt. Students who have missed all reasonable institutional testing opportunities, through no fault of their own, may register for classes, but must take a test approved for TASP purposes not later than the end of the first semester of enrollment. Students who fail to test during the designated semester will not be permitted to re-enroll in any courses other than non-degree credit courses until they have tested.

A student is exempt from the TASP test only if he or she:

• has earned at least three college-level credit hours prior to Fall 1989 (this could include academic or technical coursework from an accredited institution);
• has a SAT score taken in April 1995, or later, with an original scale score of 1,070 combined with a minimum of 500 on the mathematical test and 500 on the verbal, or, prior to April 1995, scores of 970 combined with a minimum of 470 on the mathematical test and 420 on the verbal;
• has a TAAS (Texas Assessment of Academic Skills) minimum scale score of 1,770 on the writing test and a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and a score of 89 on the reading test (scores can be no more than three years old and must be obtained on the first attempt);
• has an 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 and must be obtained on the first attempt);
• is 55 years old or older and is not seeking a certificate or degree;
• enrolls on a temporary basis and is enrolled in a private or independent institution of higher education or an out-of-state institution;
• is an active-duty personnel serving in the United States Armed Forces, stationed in Texas, and enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher education; it is only these personnel that are exempt for TASP purposes; or
• has graduated from a public high school or an accredited private high school in any state with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent and completed the recommended or advanced high school curriculum or an equivalent or similar curriculum at an accredited private high school or at an out-of-state-high school. The exemption is effective only for a student who enrolls in an institution of higher education on or before the second anniversary of the date the student graduated from high school.

Otherwise, all full-time and part-time students enrolled in a college-level certificate (see counselors for exceptions) or degree program must take the TASP or ASSET examination for reading, writing, and mathematical skills.

At Lamar State College-Orange, all Level II Certificate- and degree-seeking students must take TASP or ASSET for placement purposes. TASP requirements do not apply to Level I Certificates.

Students who fail to take the official TASP or ASSET test during the designated semester are not permitted to re-enroll or to enroll in any Texas public higher education institutions for any courses until they have taken the official TASP or ASSET test. Pre-collegiate courses, such as developmental reading, writing and math, are not counted in calculating the credit hours for meeting testing requirements.
For further information, please contact the Testing Center at (409) 882-3330.

Mathematics Placement
A diagnostic placement test in mathematics is required for all students who are TASP required and/or enrolling in math for the first time to determine the course most appropriate for the individual's skill level. Results of this test are used for placement into the appropriate level math course. While most students will take only one exam, it is possible that a few may need to take additional exams to determine placement. The math tests take 60 minutes each, and test results will normally be available immediately. Although maintained in records for student advising, scores do not appear on the student transcript.

Successful completion of TASP requirements does not eliminate the requirement for math placement testing. Students who have received passing grades in a math course may continue with the next course in the sequence. Students who have failed or dropped math will re-enroll at the level indicated previously. Math faculty or the division chair can provide additional information about math placement.