The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) Test was developed to gauge college-bound student competency in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. As part of the TASP program, colleges and universities in Texas are required to offer their students advisory and support services related to the TASP Test and to develop and implement appropriate remedial activities for students who do not pass one or more of the three sections of the TASP Test. Program details may be found at http://www.uh.edu/academics/usd/tsp/tasp.htm.  A TASP informational presentation is also available at http://www.uh.edu/academics/usd/tsp/tasp/index.htm.

TASP Requirements:

Before registering for classes students must:

1. Establish exemption or
2. Establish TASP completion based on B Rule courses or
3. Take the TASP test

Students should contact Testing Services, 200 Student Service Center (SSC) 713/743-5444, to sign up to take the on-campus Quick TASP or register on-line at TESTING.LAS.UH.EDU.

The state of Texas accepts the COMPASS, ASSET, MAPS, and ACCUPLACER tests as alternative TASP tests. Students who have taken one of these tests must provide these scores directly to USD either in person or by fax: 713/743-8998.

TASP Exemptions:

Students with the following test scores are exempt from the TASP requirement unless they are seeking teacher certification:

 (a) SAT total of 1070 and verbal 500 and math 500 -- SAT test dates April 1995 and later (NOTE: There is a 5-year limit on SAT scores)

              (b) ACT composite of 23 and English 19 and math 19 (NOTE: There is a 5-year limit on ACT scores.)

 (c) TAAS writing 1770 and reading 89 and math 86. Students should provide TAAS scores directly to USD either in person or by fax: 713/743-8998. (NOTE: There is a 3-year age limit on TAAS scores.)

(d) High school core curriculum GPA of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale) on the recommended or advanced high school core curriculum. (NOTE: This exemption must be claimed within 2 years of high school graduation. A final high school transcript is required.))

"B" Rule:

“A student who transfers to a Texas public institution from a private or out-of-state institution may use transferred courses to satisfy TASP requirements. A student must have earned a “B” or higher in one of the courses below in each of the three skill areas. If not, the student must be tested for the remaining skill area(s).”

(a)  TASP WRITING:  ENGL 1303, ENGL 1304

(b)   TASP MATH: MATH 1310 (or a more advanced MATH course for which MATH 1310 is prerequisite)

(c)    TASP READING: PSYC 1300, HIST 1376/1377, HIST 1378/1379, POLS 1336, POLS 1337, ENGL 2301, 2302, 2303, or 2304

Taking TASP

Students who take the UH Quick TASP at UH Counseling and Testing Services (200 SSC) for the first time are cleared to register the afternoon of the test. Students will generally receive their scores in five days. If the student fails a portion of the TASP test, a new stop will be placed and he or she must meet with a USD advisor for TASP remediation assignment to clear the TASP stop (prior to fee payment and/or prior to any future enrollment). TASP results may affect course selection and students should be advised to do their very best on all sections of the TASP test.

Failing TASP Sections and TASP Remediation Courses

Failing TASP Writing

Students who fail the writing part of TASP on their first attempt must not enroll in ENGL 1303 or ENGL 1304 (or 1309 or 1310) until they have completed developmental education (ENGL 1300) and have retaken the writing portion of the TASP. In addition, in order for students to place in these core courses they must attain a score of 240 or better in TASP.

Failing TASP Math

Students who fail the math part of TASP on their first attempt must not enroll in MATH 1310 until they have completed developmental education (MATH 1300) and have retaken the math portion of the TASP. In addition, in order for students to place in these core courses they must attain a score of 250 or better in TASP.

Failing TASP Reading

Students who fail the reading part of TASP on their first attempt must not enroll in PSYC 1300, HIST 1376/1377, HIST 1378/1379, POLS 1336, POLS 1337, ENGL 2301, 2302, 2303, or 2304 until they have completed developmental education (READ 1300) and have retaken the reading portion of the TASP. As of AY 2002/2003 students must attain a TASP passing score of 230 to place in these designated core courses.

TASP 60-Hour Rule

Students who have failed any portion of the TASP exam and who have earned or are enrolling in their 60th credit hour (or greater) may not enroll in any 3000 or 4000 level course until they successfully complete all portions of the TASP exam.