ACTION IS THE KEY
TO SUCCESS
TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION ASSESSMENT
Presentation provided by UTPB West Texas Literacy Center an HSI funded program. HSI is a federally funded program
granted by the Department of Education Title V programs.
Developed by: Ana Miller, M.A.. Ed., Reading Specialist
THEA OVERVIEW
 Purpose -To assess reading, mathematics,
and writing skills that entering freshmen-level
students should have if they are to perform
effectively in undergraduate certificate or
degree programs in Texas public colleges
and universities.
 Developed in place of TASP
 Determines placement in developmental
Math, Reading, and Writing courses
DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES
 Purpose-To provide unprepared students with the
assistance needed to build reading, math, and writing
skills to a level sufficient for college success
 Universities may place students in Developmental
Reading, Math, and/or Writing courses, based on test
scores-THEA, SAT, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS,
ACCUPLACER, or a university placement test
 Result of the Texas Success Initiative statute and
regulations
 Credit hours do not count toward a degree plan
WHO SHOULD TAKE
THE THEA?
 Students entering a Texas public college or a
university, before enrolling in any collegelevel coursework
 Texas high school students planning to enroll
in college courses that count for both high
school and college credit under dual
credit/concurrent enrollment programs
THEA EXEMPTIONS
 ACT – Composite score of 23 or higher AND
individual Math and English scores of no less than 19
 SAT – Composite score of 1070 or higher AND
individual Math and Verbal scores of no less than 500
 TAKS Exit Level – No less than 2200 scale score
on all portions, with a minimum of a 3 on the Essay
Test
THEA FORMAT
MATH
READING
WRITING
FIVE HOUR TEST
READING SELECTION
DESCRIPTIONS
 General Description
Represent a variety of subject areas
 Similar to first year college text
 Seven reading passages of 300-750 words
each
 Approximately 40 multiple-choice
questions
 4 Answer choices for each question
 Standard Passing Score 230

THEA
READING SKILLS
 Determine the meaning of words and phrases
 Understand the main idea and supporting
details in written material
 Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view, and
intended meaning (inferences)
 Analyze the relationship among ideas in
written material
 Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate
written material
 Apply study skills to reading assignments
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 1
 Determine the meaning of words and
phrases
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Use of context clues to determine meaning of
words and phrases that
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Are multiple meaning words
Are unfamiliar and uncommon – such as content
area terms (Science, History, Government…)
Contain affixes – prefixes and suffixes
Contain figurative expressions
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 2
 Understand the main idea and supporting
details in text
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Identifying explicit (stated) and implicit
(implied) main ideas
Recognizing ideas that support, illustrate, or
elaborate the main idea
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 3
 Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view,
and intended meaning
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Recognize a writer’s expressed or implied
purpose for writing
Evaluating the appropriateness of written
material for a specific purpose or audience
Recognizing the likely effect that a writer’s
choice of words would have on an audience
Using the content, word choice, and phrasing
of a passage to determine a writer’s opinion
or point of view
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 4
 Analyze the relationship among ideas in
text
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Identify sequence of events or steps in a
process
Identify cause-effect relationships
Compare and contrast – Analyze similarities
and differences
Identify problem and solution relationships
Draw conclusions inductively and deductively
from stated or implied information
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 5
 Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate text
 Evaluate the validity of the writer’s stated and implied
assumptions and arguments
 Judge the relevance or importance of facts, examples,
or graphic data presented to support the writer’s
argument
 Evaluate the logic of the writer’s argument
 Distinguish between facts and opinions
 Assess the writer’s or a source’s credibility or
objectivity
 Evaluate the validity of analogies
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 6
 Apply study skills to reading assignments
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Organize and summarize information for study
purposes
Follow written instructions or directions
Interpret information presented in charts,
graphs, or tables
THEA
MATH SKILLS
 Fundamental Math
 Algebra
 Geometry
 Word Problems
 Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions
 Passing standard score - 230
Fundamental Mathematics
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Integers and Real Numbers
Fractions
Exponents
Order of Operations
Decimals
Percentages
Radicals
Averages
Algebra
 Operations with Polynomials
 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
 Linear Equations
 Two Linear Equations
 Quadratic Equations
 Absolute Value Equations
 Inequalities
 Ratios and Proportions
Geometry
 Points, Lines, and Angles
 Regular Polygons
 Triangles
 Quadrilaterals
 Circles
 Solids
 Coordinate Geometry
Word Problems
 Algebraic
 Profit
 Rate
 Sets
 Work
 Geometry
 Mixture
 Measurement
 Interest
 Data Interpretation
 Discount
 Combination of
Mathematical Skills
YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT:
 Necessary formula sheets are provided
 Examinees may use a 4-function (addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division)
calculator with square root and percent
keys
 BE SURE TO USE THE FORMULA
SHEETS!!!
WRITING SKILLS
 Two Writing Components-Multiple Choice
 Elements of Composition
 Sentence Structure, Usage, and Mechanics
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Approximately 40 multiple-choice questions
Passing standard score – 220
 Writing Sample-300-600 word essay
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Passing standard score- 6 or above, regardless of
performance on the multiple-choice items
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Score of 4 or below is failing, regardless of
performance on the multiple-choice items
With a score of 5, 70% of the multiple-choice items
must be answered correctly to pass the Writing
Section

Elements of Composition
 Recognize purpose and audience
 Recognize unity, focus, and development in
writing
 Recognize effective organization in writing
Sentence Structure, Usage, and
Mechanics
 Recognize effective sentences
 Recognize edited American English usage
Writing Sample
 Appropriateness-Audience, purpose, occasion
 Unity and Focus-Maintain main idea or point of view
 Development-Amount, depth, specificity of supporting
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details
Organization-Clarity, logical sequence
Sentence Structure
Usage
Mechanical Conventions-Capitalization, punctuation,
spelling
TEST TAKING PREPARATION
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Gain access to a THEA study guide.
Take the diagnostic test.
Note your weak areas.
Write a study plan and follow it.
Start reviewing for the test well ahead (6-8 weeks) of your
scheduled test date, depending on your diagnostic test results.
 This reviewing is intended to refresh your memory of the skills
you have already been exposed to over the years.
 Avoid cramming – Cramming two or three days before the exam
will probably not help your test performance. The tested skills
represent those that you have learned over many years.
STUDY GUIDES
 Official THEA Test Study Guide - $16
 www.thea.nesinc.com
 Barron’s How to Prepare for the THEA 4th ed.
 McCune, Wright, Elder
 ISBN: 0-76412846-9
 $16.95 (Available at Hastings)
 The Best Test Preparation for the THEA
 Conner, Chadwick-Joshua, Parks, Truscott, Wajingurt
 ISBN:0-7386-0037-7
 $21.95 (Available at Hastings)
THEA Paper-and-Pencil Test
 Scheduled tests offered five times a year at
120 sites (Colleges and Universities) across
Texas
 www.thea.nesinc.com
 Registration Deadlines and Test Dates

May 18, 2007
June 16, 2007
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June 29, 2007
July 28, 2007
 Test Results: 2-5 weeks
 $29
THEA Quick Test
 Same as THEA paper-and-pencil test
 Offered by many colleges, universities, and
high schools
 Testing schedule determined by the institution
 Test Results: 1-2 weeks
THEA Quick Test
 Offered at UTPB PASS Office MB1160
 Call 552-2630 to make appointment at least
one day in advance of test date
 Test Times
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Monday-Thursday 9am or 2pm
Friday-9am
Saturday-10am
 $39 - $29 check or money order
$10 cash for mailing and processing fees
TEST DAY
 Eat before the test.
 Dress comfortably in layers.
 Wear soft-soled shoes to help maintain a
quiet testing environment.
 Report promptly.
GENERAL TEST TAKING
STRATEGIES
 Follow directions carefully.
 Raise your hand and ask questions if you do
not understand any part of the directions.
 Pace yourself – you have five hours.
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Three sections during one test administration
–approximately 135 multiple-choice questions
and one writing sample.
Most examinees should set aside at least one
hour to complete the writing sample.
GENERAL TEST TAKING
STRATEGIES
 Make notes and marks in your test booklet.
 Guess wisely – Eliminate responses that are
clearly incorrect to increase your odds of
selecting the correct response.
 Use any time left at the end of the session to
check the accuracy of your answers and your
answer document.
 All answers and writing sample must be
written in your answer document.
RETAKING THEA
 ONLY if student’s initial scores:
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Reading below 201
Math
below 206
Writing below 205
 Can retake the sections not passed
 If taking the THEA Quick Test, must wait 30
days before retesting
PRACTICE THEA TEST
 Wednesday, May 30, 2007
 8:45am-2pm (May leave when
finished with test)
 UTPB Library foyer
 No Cost
 Registration form due:
 Wednesday, May 2
 Senior Counselor’s Office
PRACTICE THEA RESULTS
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
9am or 2pm
UTPB Library foyer
PRACTICE THEA TEST
 Diagnostic Tool
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Three Categories of Examinees
Based on each section test results
Math, Reading, Writing
 90%+ Correct: 1-2 week review, THEA test
 80%-89% Correct: 3-4 week review, THEA
test
UTPB THEA PREP PROGRAM

79% or below
 Opportunity to attend a 4 day, 3-hour per day THEA
Preparation Program
 Monday, June 18-Thursday, June 21
 Reading/Writing 9am-12pm Ana Miller
 Math
1pm-4pm Jill Miller
 Registration form due Friday, June 8 by 5pm to
UTPB Literacy Center MB 4180
 Must attend the 4 days
 Attend only the subject sessions for which you
qualify
 No cost
ACTION =
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USE A STUDY GUIDE
CREATE A STUDY PLAN
FOLLOW THE PLAN
TAKE THE THEA DURING THE SUMMER
 General Information Handouts (White
Sheets)
 Registration Forms for Practice THEA
(Colored Sheets)
References
 McCune, S., Wright, N., Elder, J. (2004). How
to prepare for the THEA. NY: Barron’s.
 Trochim, W. K. (2006). Research methods
knowledge base.
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/ded
ind.php
 REA The Best Test Preparation for the THEA
(2004). New Jersey: REA.
 THEA Faculty Manual. NES, Inc. (2006).