College Admissions Testing
Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA)
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-mandated testing program created to assess a student’s “College Readiness” in first year college-level academic courses. The TSI assessment is a placement test that helps counselors and advisors assist students in choosing the right classes to meet educational requirements and goals. All BCHS students must have placement test scores on file at BCHS prior to registration. These scores are used to place students in the appropriate level of coursework; and are not used as a condition for admission to the college.
Before testing, students must complete a pre-assessment activity that introduces them to the test, the format, and practice test questions. This must be completed and a certificate must be printed upon completion and turned into the BCHS office BEFORE being able to test. Without this certificate, you will not be allowed to test. For more information, please click the link below.
Pre-Assessment Activity
Students should test early to allow time for scores to be received and academic advising to be completed. Test dates are subject to change. In order for BCHS students to enroll in Blinn classes they must score "college ready" in the following sections of the tests.
Freshmen Year............Attempt the test and pass the reading section by the end of the freshman year.
Sophomore Year..........Attempt the test and try to pass any remaining sections.
Junior Year...................Attempt the test and try to pass any remaining sections.
Senior Year...................Before the senior year, seniors must pass all sections.
Blinn College requires the following scores to be considered "college ready". College ready means that students are able to take credit level classes without taking any developmental education coursework.
PSAT/NMSQT (Practice SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
The PSAT is not only a great opportunity for students to practice for the SAT but gives juniors an opportunity to compete in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Scores typically arrive on campus during the week of Fall final exams and are distributed in January through PCC classes at BCHS. For information on score interpretation after the test, student and parents can click here.
More information about the PSAT is available on the College Board Website.
The mission of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. NMSC accomplishes its mission by conducting nationwide academic scholarship programs.
The enduring goals of NMSC’s scholarship programs are:
For more information on the National Merit program please visit the NMSC website by clicking here.
SAT/ACT
Both the ACT and the SAT are nationally administered standardized tests that help colleges evaluate candidates. Most colleges accept scores from either tests. Check the admissions requirements of the school you are interested in to find out if they will accept both SAT & ACT or have a preference.
Some schools/majors may require students to take a Subject SAT as well.
More information about the SAT can be found on the SAT College Board website by clicking here.
More information about the ACT can be found on the ACT website by clicking here.
If you would like to compare the two tests click on the links below:
Compare Scores
Compare Format
Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch can request a test fee waiver from the BCHS counselors office.
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-mandated testing program created to assess a student’s “College Readiness” in first year college-level academic courses. The TSI assessment is a placement test that helps counselors and advisors assist students in choosing the right classes to meet educational requirements and goals. All BCHS students must have placement test scores on file at BCHS prior to registration. These scores are used to place students in the appropriate level of coursework; and are not used as a condition for admission to the college.
Before testing, students must complete a pre-assessment activity that introduces them to the test, the format, and practice test questions. This must be completed and a certificate must be printed upon completion and turned into the BCHS office BEFORE being able to test. Without this certificate, you will not be allowed to test. For more information, please click the link below.
Pre-Assessment Activity
Students should test early to allow time for scores to be received and academic advising to be completed. Test dates are subject to change. In order for BCHS students to enroll in Blinn classes they must score "college ready" in the following sections of the tests.
Freshmen Year............Attempt the test and pass the reading section by the end of the freshman year.
Sophomore Year..........Attempt the test and try to pass any remaining sections.
Junior Year...................Attempt the test and try to pass any remaining sections.
Senior Year...................Before the senior year, seniors must pass all sections.
Blinn College requires the following scores to be considered "college ready". College ready means that students are able to take credit level classes without taking any developmental education coursework.
- Reading....... Score of 351 and college ready certified
- Writing......... Essay score of 5+ OR 363 on the multiple choice with a 4 on the essay
- Math.............Score of 350 + college ready certified
PSAT/NMSQT (Practice SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
The PSAT is not only a great opportunity for students to practice for the SAT but gives juniors an opportunity to compete in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Scores typically arrive on campus during the week of Fall final exams and are distributed in January through PCC classes at BCHS. For information on score interpretation after the test, student and parents can click here.
More information about the PSAT is available on the College Board Website.
The mission of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. NMSC accomplishes its mission by conducting nationwide academic scholarship programs.
The enduring goals of NMSC’s scholarship programs are:
- to promote a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals
- to shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education, and
- to stimulate increased support from organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent
For more information on the National Merit program please visit the NMSC website by clicking here.
SAT/ACT
Both the ACT and the SAT are nationally administered standardized tests that help colleges evaluate candidates. Most colleges accept scores from either tests. Check the admissions requirements of the school you are interested in to find out if they will accept both SAT & ACT or have a preference.
Some schools/majors may require students to take a Subject SAT as well.
More information about the SAT can be found on the SAT College Board website by clicking here.
More information about the ACT can be found on the ACT website by clicking here.
If you would like to compare the two tests click on the links below:
Compare Scores
Compare Format
Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch can request a test fee waiver from the BCHS counselors office.