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ABOUT THE THEA
Since 1989,
the Texas Higher Education Assessment® (THEA®) has provided
Texas students and institutions of higher education with a
flexible, fair, and accurate testing and score-reporting system.
Its purpose is to assess the reading, mathematics, and writing
skills that entering freshman-level students should have if they
are to perform effectively in undergraduate certificate or
degree programs in Texas public colleges or universities.
The THEA Test was approved by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, under Senate Bill 286, Texas Education Code,
Section 51.3062: Texas Success Initiative, for use by Texas
institutions of higher education as an assessment instrument to
evaluate incoming students. It provides the diagnostic data
required by this legislation; its content is the same as that of
the former TASP Test.
The THEA Test is the only assessment developed specifically to
evaluate the readiness of students for college-level coursework
in Texas. It was developed by National Evaluation Systems, Inc.
(NES®), through a rigorous review and approval process supported
by skilled and experienced Texas educators. All THEA Test
questions have been reviewed by committees of Texas educators to
ensure content accuracy and to prevent potential bias.
The THEA Test is offered in the following testing formats:
- The
THEA
paper-and-pencil test is offered five times
a year at sites across Texas. This registration bulletin
provides complete information about how to register to test,
prepare for the test, and obtain your score report.
- The
THEA Quick Test
is the same as the THEA paper-and-pencil test and is offered
by many colleges, universities, and high schools on a
schedule determined by the institution. Consult with your
advisor to determine whether the THEA Quick Test is an
option for you. Contact NES to determine whether the THEA
Quick Test is offered at the institution of your choice. An
official score report for all sections will be mailed to you
approximately one week after your answer document is
received and scored. Once you have taken the THEA Quick
Test, you must wait 30 days before retaking it.
The THEA Test
consists of three sections: Reading, Mathematics, and Writing.
Refer to the table below for descriptions of these sections.
Each section of the THEA Test is designed to measure a student’s
academic skill against an established standard of competence. A
student’s score on each section of the test is based on his or
her performance in relation to the skills being tested. Scores
are not related to how well other students have performed on the
same section.
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Section
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Description
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Reading
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Consists of approximately 40 multiple-choice questions
matched to about seven reading selections of 300 to 750
words each.
The reading selections represent a variety of subject
areas and are similar to reading materials (e.g.,
textbooks, manuals) that students are likely to
encounter during their first year of college. Students
will be asked to answer several multiple-choice
questions about each reading selection.
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Mathematics
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Consists of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions
covering four general areas: fundamental mathematics,
algebra, geometry, and problem solving.
The test questions focus on a student’s ability to
perform mathematical operations and solve problems.
Appropriate formulas will be provided to help students
perform some of the calculations required by the test
questions. Note that you may use a four-function (+, –,
×, ÷), nonprogrammable calculator [with square root (√ )
and percent (%) keys].
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Writing
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Contains two subsections: a writing sample subsection
requiring students to demonstrate their ability to
communicate effectively in writing on a given topic and
a multiple-choice subsection including approximately 40
questions assessing students’ ability to recognize
various elements of effective writing.
Students are asked to prepare a multiple-paragraph
writing sample of about 300–600 words on an assigned
topic. Students’ writing samples are scored on the basis
of how effectively they communicate a whole message to a
specified audience for a stated purpose. Students will
be assessed on their ability to express, organize, and
support opinions and ideas, rather than on the position
they express.
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