College Readiness Assessments

Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0
SAT
ACT
SAT vs ACT
Testing Policy for Homeschool Students
College and Career Readiness (CCR)
Advanced Learning & Services

Humble ISD continues to move forward with our vision of personalizing student success by providing access to college readiness assessments. According to higher education researcher Jeff Selingo, a recent survey administered to colleges and universities indicated that even with test-optional policies increasing in popularity, students who submit college readiness assessment scores are more likely to be admitted. In some cases, students who submitted test scores were twice as likely to be admitted compared to their peers who opted not to submit test scores. 

Humble ISD remains committed to providing every opportunity for our students to be successful in their postsecondary pursuits. Additionally, Humble ISD provides FREE test prep for all high school students through the Shmoop platform. For more information, visit this link.

Fall Semester

  • The district will offer and pay for the PSAT/NMSQT for 10th and 11th grade students who chose to opt-in to take the exam. Please complete the online registration form to opt-in by September 9. 

Spring Semester

  • 8th, 9th and 10th grade students will take the PreACT

  • 11th grade students will take the ACT and will have the opportunity to opt-in to take the SAT

Texas Success Initiative logo

Humble ISD will be hosting opportunities to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) at different campuses across the district at no charge. These opportunities are being offered as a convenience to families of students who will be taking college-level classes now or in the future. 

Under state requirements, anyone enrolling in a college-level English or Math class at a Texas public university or community college must pass the TSIA2, or receive a qualifying score on a test such as the ACT, SAT, PSAT or STAAR, in order to enroll in the college-level class for dual credit. This statewide requirement applies to students enrolled in dual credit classes while in high school, as well as to students enrolling in the future in a college-level class.   

A student shall be exempt from taking the TSIA2 for the purposes of dual credit if the student has:

Assessment

Math

Reading & Writing

ACT

Prior to 2/15/2023: 23 Composite with minimum of 19 in Math
After 2/15/2023: Minimum of 22 in Math (no composite score requirement)

Prior to 2/15/2023:23 Composite with minimum of 19 in English
After 2/15/2023: Combined 40 for English and Reading (E+R); (no composite score requirement)

PSAT/NMSQT

510 in Math

460 on Evidence-based Reading & Writing

SAT

530 in Math

480 on Evidence-based Reading & Writing

STAAR

Algebra I EOC: Level II (4000+) & passing grade in Algebra II HS course

English II EOC: Level II (4000+) on Reading & Writing

TSIA2

At least 950 OR less than 950 with diagnostic level of 6

At least 945 and essay score of 5 OR less than 945 with diagnostic level of 5 with essay of 5

2023-2024 Humble ISD TSIA2 Saturday Dates at High School Campuses

For the 2023-24 school year, Grades 8-11 adminstration dates at High School Campuses: 

  • October 21, 2023 - Kingwood Park High School

  • December 2, 2023 - Humble High School & Summer Creek High School

  • January 13, 2024 - Sconzo Early College High School

  • February 17, 2024 - Kingwood High School & Kingwood Park High School

  • February 24, 2024 - Atascocita High School

  • March 23, 2024 - Humble High School

  • April 13, 2024 - Summer Creek High School

Students from the hosting campus will be allowed to register approximately two weeks prior to the administration, and students from the rest of the district will be allowed to register for any remaining spots about one week prior to the administration. To sign up use the Humble ISD TSIA2 Registration Form. The same form/link will be utilized for each administration. Once all available spots are filled, the form will be made inactive until registration begins for the following administration date.

Students take TSIA2 tests on a computer and results are provided immediately upon completion of the exam. For more information, you can visit the College Board website.

2023-2024 Humble ISD TSIA2 Saturday Dates at Middle School Campuses

New for Spring 2024, Humble ISD will be hosting opportunities for 8th grade students to take the English Languare Arts (ELAR) TSIA2 on the following Saturdays in the 2023-24 school year:

  • February 17, 2024 - Riverwood Middle School

  • March 2, 2024 - Kingwood Middle School

  • March 23, 2024 - Atascocita Middle School

  • April 20, 2024 - Woodcreek Middle School

Eigth grade students from the hosting campus will be allowed to register approximately two weeks prior to the administration, and eigth grade students from the rest of the district will be allowed to register for any remaining spots about one week prior to the administration. To sign up use the Humble ISD TSIA2 Middle School Registration Form. The same form/link will be utilized for each administration. Once all available spots are filled, the form will be made inactive until registration begins for the following administration date.

Students take TSIA2 tests on a computer and results are provided immediately upon completion of the exam. For more information, you can visit the College Board website.

SAT School Day is coming to all Humble ISD high schools on Wednesday, March 1, 2023!  

SAT School Day lets schools offer the SAT to students in school, on a weekday, expanding access to a globally recognized college admission test that's accepted at all U.S. colleges.  Almost three million students in roughly 3,000 districts and 8,000 schools have participated in SAT School Day.

SAT scores demonstrate students are prepared for college with the necessary skills and knowledge. By breaking down barriers to access, SAT School Day can have a profound impact on a community—opening doors to college, scholarships, and financial aid for every student.

Benefits of SAT School Day for Students

  • Convenience - Students don't have to worry about locating or getting to the testing site. School day testing won't disrupt weekend plans, jobs, or family time.

  • Comfort - Students test in familiar surroundings with people they know.

  • Confidence - Nothing builds confidence like practice and the SAT is the only admission test that offers free, personalized practice plans for all students. College Board provides SAT Practice on Khan Academy and Humble ISD provides test prep through SHMOOP. Both resources provide every student with a practice plan built just for them, along with integrated coaching tools for teachers to view progress and support their students.

  • No Cost - The school-day test, normally $52, is FREE for all Juniors who opt in.

Accommodations Requests 
In order to receive testing accommodations (Special Education or 504), request must be submitted to and approved by the College Board - please see your SpEd teacher or counselor for details.  All accommodation requests must be submitted to campus staff by January 10, 2023. 

SAT Toolkit

ACT

The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities in the United States to make admissions decisions. The ACT measures a student's readiness for college while also providing personalized information about their strengths for education and career planning. Student's typically take the ACT during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year.

The ACT consists of four sections - English, Math, Reading, and Science - plus an optional writing test. With the exception of the writing section, the test is entirely multiple choice. The ACT is scored on a 1-to-36-point scale, taking the average of the four section scores.

PreACT

The PreACT, which is administered to 10th graders, simulates the ACT testing experience by providing students early exposure to ACT test-quality questions and predictive score ranges on the familiar 1-36 scale.  It's a 2 hour paper-based, multiple-choice test, that can be administered any time between September 1st and June 1st, assessing in the areas of English, math, reading, and science.  Results are used to guide action plans for both educators and students in evaluating patterns of performance across content areas. 

ACT Toolkit

From Princeton Review:

Many students and parents begin the college prep process by comparing the ACT and SAT tests. The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT nor ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.

Compare the ACT and SAT Tests

  • ACT includes a Science section

  • SAT includes one SAT Math Section on which you may not use a calculator

SAT

ACT

Why Take It

Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.

Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.

Test Structure

  • Reading

  • Writing & Language

  • Math

  • Essay (Optional)

  • English

  • Math

  • Reading

  • Science Reasoning

Essay (Optional)

Length

  • 3 hours (without essay)

  • 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)

  • 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)

  • 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)

Reading

5 reading passages

4 reading passages

Science

None

1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge)

Math

Covers:

  • Arithmetic

  • Algebra I & II

  • Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis

Covers:

  • Arithmetic

  • Algebra I & II

  • Geometry, Trigonometry, and Probability & Statistics

Calculator Policy

Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator.

You can use a calculator on all math questions.

Essays

Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text.

Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.

How It's Scored

Scored on a scale of 400–1600

Scored on a scale of 1–36

So, should I Take the ACT or SAT?

The best way to decide if taking the SAT, ACT, or both tests is right for you is to take a timed full-length practice test of each type. Since the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging can help you determine which test is a better fit. Try the Princeton Review QUIZ: SAT, ACT, or Both? to learn more. 

According to Texas Education Code 29.916, a home-schooled student may attend a Humble ISD campus for the purpose of taking an AP, ACT, PSAT, or SAT assessment.  In order to be assessed, home-schooled students must abide by the following district guidelines:

  • MUST reside within the boundaries of Humble ISD (proof of residency required)

  • MUST have a photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or other issued government ID); if you don’t have any of those, you can use the Student ID Form and a photo.

  • MUST show proof of residency, meet registration deadlines, and if applicable, pay exam fees.

  • Humble ISD high school campuses must have enough materials to cover the needs of students enrolled on campus first; home-schooled students will be permitted to test, space and materials permitting, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

  • The home-schooled student will check-in with the campus receptionist and must be under the direct supervision of a staff member at all times while on campus.

Humble ISD administers the PSAT every October.  AP exams occur during the first two weeks in May.  ACT and SAT occur at various times throughout the year.  Home-school students interested in testing should contact an Humble ISD high school mid-August to confirm test dates and registration deadlines so that space/testing materials can be reserved for the student. Home-school students must opt-in to take the SAT by Friday, January 19th, 2024. Home-school students must contact campuses by Friday, February 2nd, 2024 in order to participate in the school day ACT.

To find and contact schools administering the PSAT or SAT, visit the College Board website.  Use the ACT website to find test center locations near you.

To learn more about AP exams and ordering deadlines, visit the College board website.

Ready college, career, life

In an increasingly complex and specialized global economy, education and training beyond high school are vital for success in the 21st century workplace. Without such education and training, high school graduates will see their options for the future narrow markedly as the number of quality jobs diminishes for those with only a high school diploma. Therefore, it is imperative for Humble ISD to build a comprehensive program to ensure college and career readiness (CCR) for all students, changing our focus of responsibility from PK-12 to PK-16. The purpose of this webpage is to serve as a resource and assist in the improvement of college and career readiness for all students.

College Readiness Checklists

College Planning

College Applications

Explore Career Opportunities

Explore opportunities based on your interests and work values; find specific information such as the fastest growing jobs, levels or education and training requirements, and average salaries.

Financial Aid

Families often wonder if they will qualify for grants, institutional aid, and/or work study. Here are some resources that will help in making an informed decision.

Scholarship Search Engines

Resources