The TSI test, GPA and tools for the journey
Being a Successful Collegiate Academy StudentLeslie WaldenCollegiate Academy Counselor
What is success?
What is the TSI?
• The TSI Assessment is a statewide tool designed to assess a student’s skills in Math, Reading, and Writing.
• The TSI Assessment is designed to assist colleges with determining appropriate course placement.
Features of the TSI
• Aligned to the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards for Math, Reading, and Writing
• Multiple Choice• Untimed• Computer Adaptive• Up to 5 hours long• Scored Immediately• Unlimited re-testing
TSI Sample reading question
Plywood, while not the most pleasing wood to look at, has become an incredibly important building material in house construction. It is flexible, inexpensive, and strong. Its strength is due to layers of thin wood glued on top of each other with the grain of each layer making a right angle with the grain of the layer below it. This way of layering the sheets of wood makes plywood difficult to break.
According to the passage, the arrangement of the layers of thin wood explains plywood’s
A. Strength
B. Cost
C. Attractiveness
D. Flexibility
The correct answer is A
TSI Writing Sample Question
In some places, virtually all the topsoil has washed away, leaving the sub-soils to sustain the crops.
Rewrite, beginning with
In some places, the sub-soils must sustain the crops… The next word will be
A. although
B. because
C. until
D. before
The Correct Answer is – B
TSI Test Progression
TSI Placement Scores
• MATH - 350 • READING - 351
• WRITING- 5 on Essay or 4 on Essay with 363-390 on Multiple Choice
• Remember It’s Not a Question of Pass or Fail• This test assesses your current skill level only, not
your ability, your intelligence, or even your likelihood of doing well in college. These scores are your ticket into your college classes for your 10th, 11th and 12th grade years.
TSI Score Range
GCCA Students TSI Results
GCCA students did an outstanding job-50% scored in the college ready range on the reading portion of the TSI.
College Ready Reading 44 9th grade GCCA students
Where can I go to get help?
• TCC Website:
http://www.tccd.edu/Student_Services/Testing.html-
See computer based app for FREE! Great tool for TSI practice!
• More Practice Test Questions:• www.collegeboard.org/texas-sample-questions• Mrs. Haney will be facilitating the TSI testing and
practice. More information coming soon!
GPA calculations and Class Rank
Cumulative GPAAll high school courses taken in grades 9-12 will be calculated in the cumulative GPA with the exception of:• Summer school courses taken between the 8th
and 9th grade year• Summer school courses taken for credit recovery• Credit by examination, with or without prior
instruction• Traditional correspondence courses, with the
exception of courses taken through TXVSN
Ranking GPA:
• To determine the top 10%, including valedictorian and salutatorian, only grades earned in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Languages Other Than English (LOTE), and AP courses not associated with these subjects will be included in calculating the Ranking GPA.
Class Rank
• The district shall not calculate or report class rank except for students in the top 10% as required by law.
• Class rank for students in the top 10% will be provided on a certification of class rank.
• The lowest weighted GPA used to determine class rank for each class will be listed on each high school counseling website and will be updated at least once annually.
GPA Scale and Course Weighting
Special Course Weighting
• Dual credit courses will be given Pre-AP weight.• Courses for which AP is a prerequisite
will be given AP weight.
GPA Reporting Options
• Students will have three options when requesting GPA for college admissions or other GPA requests.
• Cumulative GPA –all courses taken in grades 9-12, except as excluded in district policy. For general reporting purposes, this is the GPA the district will use.
• Ranking GPA - Only courses taken in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, LOTE, AP courses not associated with these subjects.
• Unweighted 4.0 GPA- All courses taken in grades 9-12, except as excluded in district policy with no weight assigned.
Contact Information
• High School Counselor Contact:• Leslie Walden, 817-515-6776• [email protected]
• Director of Counseling Emberly Spillman:• [email protected]• 817-251-5415
Tools for Success
Regularly attend ALL of their classes Form a strong relationship with their instructors. Plan Ahead Follow their syllabus as a road map in your classes Study for their tests and exams Submit all assignments on time Do not procrastinate. Set goals Are prepared for any obstacle.
Students that are successful………
In order to succeed in college and in life, students need to set goals. Goals should have the following characteristics:
• Specific• Measurable• Achievable• Reasonable• Timely
Encourage goal Setting
Reach for the Stars!
A syllabus is a contract between them and their professor. Encourage your student to: Note the instructors contact information, contact times and
office hours, and actually CONTACT their professor. Note the dates of major assignments. Note the instructor's policies regarding absences, tardiness
and participation. Refer back to the syllabus before every class meeting. Double check the syllabus before submitting any major paper
or project to make sure you have met the deadline, style, length and other requirements. If any are unclear, speak to the instructor early.
Successful students read and use the syllabus.
STUDY SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL GCCA STUDENT
• Create a calendar of dates.
• Make a “To do” list• Start the “Sunday
Meeting”• Make sure to schedule
relaxation, exercise and recreation time.
• Allow time to review before class.
• DO NOT over commit.• Avoid Procrastination
Sample Tuesday Schedule
8am Jog for daily exercise
10am Intro to computers
12pm Lunch
1pm Principles of Managerial Accounting
3pm Break Time
3:30pm Watch Simpsons (cartoon)
4pm Go to the Library to do homework
6pm Dinner
6:30pm Play volleyball
8pm Allsop Lab for Intro to computers homework
Time Management
Monitor Grades Weekly
• TCC WebAdvisor- https://my.tccd.edu/. Your students will create a login in their MAPS class. This is how you check TCC grades. Check weekly with your student.
• Skyward Family Access
Encourage your student to:
• Start preparing for tests on the first day of class.
• Set an appointment with the professor and ask the instructor to specify the areas emphasized on the test.
• Form study groups with students in your class
• Avoid studying in noisy places.
• Avoid Procrastinating-study class and personal notes everyday for about 15-20 minutes.
Test Taking Strategies
Break up their study sessions into manageable 45 minute segments.
Arrive at least 5 minutes before the test will start. Read the directions carefully Answer the questions in a strategic order.
◦ Answer easy questions first to build confidence and score points.
◦ Answer difficult questions and those with the most point values.
◦ With essay questions, outline your answer and sequence the order of your points.
Test Taking Strategies continued
Expect It-Students who expect stress handle it better.
Name It-Helping them identify the cause can help them feel less overwhelmed.
Accept It-A certain amount of stress helps us stay motivated and sometimes things work themselves out.
Tackle It- Stress does not have to define our existence.Stress Management
• Breathe: Take some deep breaths. Deep breathing causes your nervous system to calm down.
• Power of Positive Thinking: Before you start your day silently repeat a positive self statement
• Allow yourself time to enjoy life.• See article- Help Your Student beat the
Stress. www.collegeparentcentral.com
Stress Management continued
• www.collegeparentcentral.com
• SOAR Study Skills-by Susan Krueger,• The Secrets of College Success by Lynn F.
Jacobs and Jeremy S. Hyman• www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Resources
