THEA

The THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) Test, formerly the TASP test, has been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for use by Texas institutions of higher education as an assessment instrument for entering students. The THEA Test, as prescribed by the Texas Success Initiative, includes components designed to provide diagnostic data about the reading, writing and mathematics skills of each student. Unless otherwise exempt from testing, students must present scores from the THEA test, or an approved alternative test, to register for classes.

The state-administered THEA Test is scheduled five times annually. Registration is handled through the mail by completing the test registration form located inside the THEA Registration Bulletin. Internet registration is also available at the THEA website, www.thea.nesinc.com. Cost of testing is $29, and scores are received approximately three weeks after the test date. A test schedule with registration deadlines follows.

The 2009-2010 test dates below are provided for your information. Registration for these dates will open during the summer of 2009.

Registration Schedule for 2009-2010
Test Date	Regular Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline (additional fee applies)	Late Registration Deadline (additional fee applies)
October 17, 2009*	September 18, 2009	October 7, 2009	October 14, 2009
February 27, 2010	January 29, 2010	February 17, 2010	February 24, 2010
April 24, 2010	March 26, 1020	April 14, 2010	April 21, 2010
June 19, 2010	May 21, 2010	June 9, 2010	June 16, 2010
July 24, 2010	June 25, 2010	July 14, 2010	July 21, 2010
The deadline for submission of requests and all necessary documentation for alternative testing arrangements is the regular registration deadline. Because of space, staff, and time constraints, there can be no assurance that requests received after this deadline can be accommodated.
	Internet Registration All registration periods. To register on the Internet, your registration must be completed by 5:00 p.m. central time on the registration deadline for the period.
	U.S. Mail Registration Regular registration period only. To register by mail, your registration materials must be postmarked by the regular registration deadline.

*For the October test date only, the test will be administered at a limited number of sites throughout Texas.

Additional information and a sample test may be accessed at www.thea.nesinc.com

Exemptions

The following students shall be exempt from the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative:

• For a period of five years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards:
  • ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt for those corresponding sections;
  • Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal test and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt for those corresponding sections; or
• For a period of three years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) with a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test.
• For a period of three years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the Eleventh grade exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, shall be exempt from the assessment required under this title for those corresponding sections.
• A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
• A student who transfers to an institution from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by the receiving institution.
• A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
• A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.
• A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
• A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

For more information

contact Testing Services 409-882-3330
or
E-mail your information requests