TAKING TASP
SERIOUSLY
Meeting The Requirements of the
TEXAS ACADEMIC SKILLS PROGRAM
Introduction
The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP)
Test, mandated in the spring of 1987 by
Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.306,
provides information about the
 reading,
 mathematics, and
 writing skills
of students entering Texas public colleges
and universities.
Advising and Remediation
As part of the TASP program, colleges and
universities are required


to offer their students advising and other support
services related to the TASP Test and
to develop and implement appropriate remedial
activities for students who do not pass one or
more sections (reading, mathematics, and
writing) of the TASP Test.
The Texas Academic Skills Program
(TASP)
Who must take the TASP test?
You must take the TASP test
BEFORE ENROLLING if:
you are entering a Texas public
institution of higher education, or
 you are transferring from outside of
Texas or from a Texas private college
or university to a public college or
university
unless you are exempt.

And you must take the test if…...
you are entering a Level II certificate program
that contains more than forty-two (42) semester
credit hours,
 you are seeking admission to a Texas upperlevel institution or program that requires the
TASP Test as a condition of admission,
 you are a full-time or part-time teacher education
student in either a public or private institution in
Texas
unless you are exempt.

Who is exempt from taking
TASP?
You are exempt from taking the TASP test if:

You completed 3 or more semester hours of
college-level work prior to fall 1989.

You scored an SAT total of 1070 with subscores of 500 on the verbal AND 500 on the
math sections
Note: SAT scores may not be more than 5
years old.
or……………………….

You scored an ACT Composite of 23 AND
19 verbal AND 19 math subscores. Note:
ACT scores may not be more than 5
years old.

You earned TAAS scores of 89 in reading
AND 86 in mathematics AND 1770 in
writing. Note: TAAS scores may not
be more than 3 years old
or……………………….


You are Active Duty
Military
You are a high
school graduate
within the past two
years with a 3.5 or
better Grade Point
Average (on a 4.0
scale).
Special Testing
Students who are deaf and have not
received credit for at least three (3)
semester hours of college-level work
prior to fall 1995, are required to meet
the basic skills testing requirement by
taking the Stanford Achievement Test
in lieu of the TASP Test.
The Reading Component of
the TASP Test
The reading section of the TASP Test is based on the
following skills :
» Determining the meaning of words and phrases
» Understanding the main idea and supporting details in
written material
» Identifying a writer’s purpose, point of view and intended
meaning
» Analyzing the relationship among ideas in written material
» Using critical reasoning skills to evaluate written material
» Applying study skills to reading assignments
The Mathematics Component of
the TASP Test
The mathematics section of the TASP Test is based
on the following skills (including fundamental
math, algebra and geometry):
» Using number concepts and computation skills
» Solving word problems involving integers,
fractions or decimals
» Interpreting information from a graph table or
chart
» Graphing numbers or number relationships
Math skills continued……..
» Solving one- and two-variable equations and
word problems
» Understanding operations with algebraic
expressions
» Solving problems involving quadratic equations
» Solving problems involving geometric figures
» Applying reasoning skills
The Writing Component of the
TASP Test
The writing section of the TASP Test is based on
the following skills (including the multiplechoice part and writing sample):
» Recognizing purpose and audience
» Recognizing unity, focus, and development
in writing
» Recognizing effective organization in writing
» Recognizing effective sentences
» Recognizing edited American English usage
Passing the TASP Test
To pass the TASP Test, you must
pass all three sections (reading,
mathematics, and writing). Passing
scores are:
READING 230
 MATHEMATICS 230
 WRITING 220

Failing the TASP Test

Students who fail to make the minimum passing
score on one or more sections of the TASP Test
must participate continuously in a
developmental program for those sections of
the test that they have not passed. The
developmental programs at Temple College are
course based.

TC Developmental Programs
» Students will be assigned to READING,
MATHEMATICS, or WRITING
(developmental courses), or
» Students will be assigned to Special
Support Services
TASP WRITING
“B” RULE WARNING
If you failed the WRITING
PORTION of the TASP exam on
your first attempt, you may not
enroll in
ENGLISH 1301 until you
complete remediation and
retake the exam.
TASP MATHEMATICS
“B” RULE WARNING
If you failed the MATH
PORTION of the TASP exam on your
first attempt, you may not enroll in
 MATH 1314 (College Algebra) or
 MATH 1332 (College Mathematics)
until you complete remediation and
retake the exam.
TASP READING
“B” RULE WARNING
If you failed the READING PORTION of the
TASP test on your first attempt, you may not
enroll in






PSYC 2301
HIST 1301:1302
GOVT 2301:2302
ENGLISH 2322:2323
ENGLISH 2327: 2328
ENGLISH 2332:2333
until you complete remediation and
retake the exam.
Sixty Semester Hour Limit
Students may not enroll in any upper division course
the completion of which would give the student 60 or
more semester credit hours until their TASP test
results meet or exceed the minimum standards in all
test scores. Continued enrollment in lower division,
non-credit or pre-collegiate courses is allowed.
(Students may continue to take and accumulate lower-division
courses past the 60 hour limit but will be unable to graduate
with a degree or eligible certificate until they have passed
the TASP Test.)
What Are the Fees for the
Test?
The fee for regular registration for
any or all sections of the TASP Test
is $29.00
 Optional fees:

» Change of registration........$15.00
» Late registration...................$20.00
» Emergency registration..….$30.00
» Score verification................$10.00
When Is the TASP Exam Given?

The Quick TASP exam is available on
weekdays through the TESTING CENTER,
ONE COLLEGE CENTER (254-298-8585). Contact
that office to sign up for the Quick TASP.

The Statewide TASP exam is also given
several times a year. See the TASP
registration booklet for dates,
deadlines and registration information.
If you have any questions
please contact:
TEMPLE COLLEGE’S
ADVISING CENTER
One College Center
254-298-8331
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TASP, VISIT:
http://www.tasp.nesinc.com/