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THEA Test and Placement Tests

The THEA test (Texas Higher Education Assessment) is a test that is required for ALL UNDERGRADUATE students, including international students, who attend a state-supported college or university in the state of Texas. The THEA test ensures that students enrolled in all Texas public colleges and universities possess the academic skills needed to perform effectively in college-level course work. The THEA test covers three sections: reading, mathematics and writing skills. For undergraduate students whose native language is not English, this test is still required even though TOEFL scores may show proficiency in the English language. Students who do not pass all three sections of the test must participate continuously in a remediation program in the subject area(s) not passed. Normally, remediation will consist of enrollment in ERDB 1003, Fundamentals of College Reading and Learning, ENG 1003, Introduction to Writing, MATH 1123, Transition to College Mathematics, or MATH 1113 Fundamentals of Algebra. A student may not enroll in any upper-division courses that would give the student 60 or more credit hours until the student has passed all three sections of the THEA test.

New regulations mandate that the THEA test must be taken before enrollment into a Texas state university or college. The following exemptions apply:

• College (university) credit earned (at least three hours) before September 1989
• ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both the English and math tests
• SAT: (recentered scale for tests taken April 1995 and thereafter) combined critical reading and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal and math test
• SAT: (tests taken prior to April 1995) combined critical reading and math score of 970, with a minimum of 420 on the verbal test and 470 on the math test
• TAKS: minimum score of 2200 in English Langauge Arts (ELA) with a subscore of 3; and a minimum score of 2200 in math.

Students who feel that they are exempt from the THEA test based on one of these exemptions will need to bring proof of exemption to the Academic Advising Office or the Registrar's Office prior to registering for classes.

In addition to the TOEFL and THEA tests, certain students (primarily freshmen students) may be required to take the Math and English placement test after arrival on campus. All students that are undergraduate take the Science placement test after arrival on campus. If you are required to take these brief, on-campus assessment tests, you will be notified during your advising session prior to registration.

Disclosure of your social security number (SSN) is requested for personal security requirements. Your social security number will be used as a unique number in order to identify you in the TWU administrative computer system. Disclosure of your SSN is mandatory for access to the secure system. The SSN provided is not retained in a database or recorded for tracking purposes. Disclosure of your SSN to Federal or State Agencies will be governed by the Public Information Act (Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code).