Go FAARR
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on your journey to success!
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Go FAARR, simply
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Go FAARR
Financing your Education
Assessment
Advising
Responsibility
Resources
Why
Go FAARR?
The Go FAARR Module
A) Ensures students are acquainted with:
• Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
• Your Student Rights & Responsibilities
• Institutional & Community Resources
B) Covers State mandated TSI Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)
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•
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Importance of Assessment
Exemptions and Retesting Process
Developmental Education Options
Tips for Success
C) Is required for all students entering the Alamo Colleges including
those who are TSI Complete or Exempt
Pre-Assessment Activity
Pre Assessment
Activity
for Students Taking the TSI Assessment
Once you complete this Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA), you are eligible to
take the TSI Assessment (TSIA). At the beginning of the assessment, you will
be given 14 background questions to answer. The first question reads:
“Pre-Assessment Activity: Were you provided with information
and/or an activity to help you understand all of the following:
1) The importance of this assessment,
2) Sample Questions,
3) Course options, and
4) Resources for students? Yes /No
Answer “yes” to the first background question.
If you answer “no” to the first question, you will be locked out
and unable to continue.
NOTE: High School Students - Check with your high school counselor or dual credit liaison
for the type of PAA you are to complete prior to testing.
Do I have to take the TSI Assessment?
Pre Assessment
Activity
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.
You may be exempt if you
• Met the minimum college readiness standard on the SAT, ACT or a Texas
statewide high school test
• Successfully completed a high school college preparatory course or a college-level
English and math course
• Are enrolling in a Level One certification program
• Are not seeking a degree
Want to Know More?
Click here…
• Have been, or currently are, in the military
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.
Before you test… you need to know!
Before testing
• TSI Assessment determines your college readiness
• A valid photo identification (any state or federal govern
• ment-issued ID) must be presented
• Cannot pass or fail the TSI Assessment
• 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
• Unlimited 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. Calculators “pop up” when needed.
Want to know more? Click the graphic.
Taking the
TSI
Assessment
What Can I Expect?
• Computer Administered- Multiple Choice/Essay
using keyboard & mouse
• Untimed- Up to 5 hours long
• 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
What strategy should I use when taking the
Testing
Strategies
TSI Assessment?
✓ Arrive early and choose a comfortable location
✓ Stay relaxed and confident. Keep a good attitude and remind yourself that
you are going to do your best.
✓ Read directions carefully!
✓ Read the question and all answer choices before entering your response.
You cannot change answers once you leave a page.
✓ Try 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?
My Scores
College Readiness
Developmental education courses are non-credit courses that don’t count towards your
certificate or degree.
Mathematics
• MATH 0305 - Pre-Algebra
• MATH 0310 - Beginning Algebra
• MATH 0320 - Intermediate Algebra
Reading & Writing
• INRW 0305 - Integrated Reading and Writing
• INRW 0420 - Integrated Reading and Writing
Post-Assessment Advising & Refresher Courses
• 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.
Retest? Yes, You Can!
Can I Retake
The Test?
• You may retake the TSI Assessment at any time.
• 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 within the same day of your
initial assessment.
Testing
Accommodations
Qualifying students with disabilities
may request accommodations if taking
the TSI Assessment
on the college campus.
If you need accommodations for testing, please contact the disability services office at your college.
Colleges
Northeast Lakeview College
Northwest Vista College
Palo Alto College
St. Philip’s College
San Antonio College
Disability Services
486-5000
STCM 222H Student Commons
486-4466
Cypress Campus Center 204
486-3020
Palomino Center 116
486-2199
Sutton Learning Center 102
486-0020
Moody Learning Center 100
Supporting Your SUCCESS
Student Rights, Responsibilities & Resources
I
C.A.R.E
About My Education
4 Pillars of
Self-Responsibility
Communication
Academic Success
Responsibility
Engagement
Learn more!
Supporting
your Success
Success is a Shared Responsibility
Alamo Colleges provides institutional policies, procedures,
and opportunities to promote student learning by
encouraging interaction, involvement and responsible
participation
Your Responsibility as a student is to
CARE about Your Education
Click to view the video.
The First Day
Matters
Students who have their books and attend the
first day of class are in a “ready to go”
mindset. They have higher grades and course
completion rates than students who are absent.
The Alamo Colleges require students to attend the first class
meeting of every course in which they are registered, unless
approval for the intended absence is obtained before the first
meeting.
*** Not attending may result in being dropped and jeopardize your
academic success.
Financing
your
Education
Financing Your Education
This information pertains to your enrollment in college and cannot be utilized while
participating in Dual Credit, Early College High School, and Alamo Academies.
There are many forms of financial aid available at the
Alamo Colleges such as grants, loans, work study and
scholarships.
FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid,
is the first step to determine your eligibility to receive aid.
This application can take 3-4 weeks to process. It’s
important to complete the application in a timely manner.
Want to know more about financial aid?
Click here.
ACES Start Here
Verify Personal &
Academic Information
Monitor Enrollment
Checklist & Requirements
Check Financial Aid
Status & Requirements
Access Resources
Troubleshoot Browser &
Cookies Issues
ACES My Page
Available once you are
admitted:
Verify Personal &
Academic Information
Monitor Tuition & Bills
Check Financial Aid
Status & Requirements
Access your Transcript,
Degree Plan (GPS),
Online Courses (Canvas)
Creating Safe & Welcoming Colleges
AlamoCARES
Strategies
of Behavioral
Intervention
(SOBI)
The Alamo Colleges are committed to a safe supportive
learning and working environment for all students, staff,
faculty, and visitors.
AlamoCARES is a prevention, education and support program
regarding dating and domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The Strategies of Behavioral Intervention (SOBI) Employee &
Student Guide provides the College community with information on
how to address concerning, disruptive or threatening behavior by
students or visitors.
* You may submit an Incident Report to your college who will assess the situation and
take appropriate action. You are not required to include your name on the form.
Click if you’d like to learn more about
the SOBI Guide.
College & Community Resources
Student
Resources
Click on Resources below if you’d like more information
• United Way
• Food Bank
• VIA
• Child Care
• Palo Alto College
• St. Philip’s College
• San Antonio College
• San Antonio Housing Authority
• Student Housing
• Tobin Lofts at San Antonio College
To learn more about…
Student
Resources
Click on the links below if you are interested
in more information
Resources by College
• Northeast Lakeview College
• Northwest Vista College
Financial Resources*
• Student Financial Aid
• Palo Alto College
• FAFSA
• St. Philip’s College
• Financial Literacy 101
• San Antonio College
• Financing Your Future
• College for All Texans
Student Resources
• Bigfuture
• Military
• Cafecollege / Find the Money
• Veteran
• Student with a Disability
• ESL Student
• International Student
* Financial Resources cannot be applied to enrollment
in Dual Credit, Early College High School or Alamo
Academy programs.
PreAssessment
Activity
Pre-Assessment Activity for Students
DON’T FORGET!
After you finish the TSI Test Prep, you are eligible to
answer “yes” to the first background question.
Pre-Assessment Activity: Were you provided with information and/or an activity to help you
understand all of the following:
1) The importance of this assessment,
2) Sample Questions,
3) Course options
4) Resources for students? Yes /No
*If you answer “No” to the first question, you will be locked out and unable to continue.
**High School Program students, please refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison to
ensure you have completed the Pre-Assessment Activity prior to answering “yes” on the TSI
Assessment.
THINK POSITIVE!
Click on the linked images below to get tips to help you stay positive.
Attitude is Everything
212° Attitude
NEXT STEP!
Open Quizzes on the left sidebar
on your Canvas
Go FAARR screen, then click on
the “Go FAARR! Quiz”. Score a
60% or higher to complete the
Go FAARR requirement.
You may continue to the Test Prep module, if required.
You are not required to
wait for the Go FAARR checkmark!