ELIGIBLE GED® GRADS CAN NOW SKIP THE TSI TEST AND REMEDIAL EDUCATION COURSES AT TEXAS COLLEGES - SPEEDING UP ENTRY AND PROGRESS TO A CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE

Sep 14, 2026

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Texas policy allows GED graduates with the College Ready score level to enroll in public colleges and universities in Texas with a “remediation-free” status. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board expanded Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exemptions to include GED graduates, letting them bypass remediation by using GED Reading and Language Arts (RLA) and Mathematical Reasoning test scores for placement into credit-bearing courses. Exemptions apply for five years after scoring 165 or higher and may also waive specific college placement exams in math and English language arts reading.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Eligible GED graduates can skip the TSI test

Expanded Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exemptions

GED score-based placement exam waivers

Eligibility timeframe and official start date

Outcomes and research findings

Workforce and economic context

Contact: Danielle Wilson | Public Affairs [publicaffairs@GEDtestingservice.com](publicaffairs@GEDtestingservice.com | 202/805.1835)[ | 202/805.1835](publicaffairs@GEDtestingservice.com | 202/805.1835) July 7, 2021 ELIGIBLE GED® GRADS CAN NOW SKIP THE TSI TEST AND REMEDIAL EDUCATION COURSES AT TEXAS COLLEGES SPEEDING UP ENTRY AND PROGRESS TO A CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE WASHINGTON, DC—GED graduates who earn the College Ready score level are now eligible to enroll in public colleges and universities in Texas with a “remediation-free” status. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently expanded exemptions under the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) to include GED graduates with College Ready scores. Under this TSI exemption , students enrolling in public colleges and universities across the state are eligible to bypass remediation using their GED Reading and Language Arts (RLA) and Mathematical Reasoning test scores to enroll in credit-bearing courses. Texas joins a growing number of colleges and state college systems that acknowledge the value of the GED College Ready score level. “This new policy will eliminate barriers for adult learners in Texas, allowing them to skip another high-stakes assessment,” said Rep. Lynn Stucky. “We believe this will help more Texans earn a certificate or degree from programs across the state and make them eligible for good-paying jobs.” “This great step forward for many GED grads in Texas is due to the leadership and support of Representative Stucky and Senator Powell, and leadership of The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board ,” said CT Turner, Vice President at GED Testing Service. “The state’s economy is dependent upon skilled workers, and I applaud them for knocking down barriers for adult learners who are well-positioned to enter and contribute in the growing skilled-jobs market.” • A score of 165 or higher on the Mathematical Reasoning subject test exempts a student from the math placement exam for college enrollment. • A score of 165 or higher on the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject test exempts a student from the English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) placement exam for college enrollment. The TSI and the high school equivalency test exemptions are valid within five years of students scoring 165 or higher on their GED credential. While the date of testing can be anytime within the five-year time frame, eligibility officially began May 12, 2021. Recent research has shown that GED programs are preparing grads very well in postsecondary programs. Since the launch of the enhanced program in 2014 , a higher percentage of graduates are attending college programs, enrolling more quickly, and are more prepared than ever to succeed in college and beyond. One statistic shows a rapid increase in preparedness for college certificate and degree programs. Research conducted by GED Testing Service, through a data match with the National Student Clearinghouse, revealed that: ● 45% of GED grads enrolled in a college certificate or degree program within three years, ● 35% do so within one year of earning a GED credential, and ● 90% of those enrolled persisted by re-enrolling from one semester to the next Texas GED graduates are in a much stronger position to compete with traditional high school graduates, especially after earning a certificate or degree in addition to a GED credential. This is especially important as most new jobs that will be created over the next two decades will require more than a high-school-level credential. An estimated 2.5 million new middle skill jobs (those that require post-high school education but not a four-year college degree) are expected to be added to the U.S. workforce, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all job growth. More information about the GED program can be found here and details about the GED College Ready score levels are available here. \#\#\# About GED Testing Service The GED test has opened doors

FAQs

Which GED graduates qualify for the “remediation-free” status in Texas colleges?

GED graduates who earn the College Ready score level are eligible to enroll in Texas public colleges and universities with a remediation-free status.

How do GED test scores help students bypass remediation?

Students can use GED Reading and Language Arts (RLA) and Mathematical Reasoning test scores to enroll in credit-bearing courses without remediation.

What are the score thresholds and how long does the exemption last?

A score of 165 or higher on Mathematical Reasoning exempts a student from the math placement exam, and 165 or higher on RLA exempts from the ELAR reading placement exam. The exemptions are valid within five years of scoring 165 or higher, with official eligibility beginning May 12, 2021.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious