Counseling and Guidance

The following students are exempt from Basic Skills Testing:

1. Active duty military personnel, including the Texas National Guard, who have been serving for at least 3 years preceding enrollment.
2. Students will be exempt from the THEA test if they perform at or above a level set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the American College Test (ACT), Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) or the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). This exemption will be in effect for three years from the date the TAAS or TAKS test is taken and the set score level is achieved and for five years from the date the ACT or SAT is taken and the set score is achieved.
   
   

   ACT	Composite score of 23 or higher with individual math and English scores of no less than 19. Scores can be no more than five years old.
   SAT	Composite score of 1070 or higher with verbal score of at least 500 and math scores of no less than 500. Scores can be no more than five years olds.
   TAAS	Scale scores of 1770 or higher on writing test and a TLI (Texas Learning Index0 of 86 or more on the mathematics test and 89 or more on the reading test.
   TAKS	As of the printing of this catalog, no minimum scores have been given by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Please check with your high school counselor or the college counseling center for updated information.

   
   
3. Certificate programs or one year or less having no more than 42 hours do not require the THEA/TASP. Students cannot accumulate more than 9 semester hours outside of the specified curriculum.
4. Students who already possess an associate, baccalaureate, or higher degree from accredited institutions.
5. Students from accredited out-of-state or private institutions who have completed appropriate college level coursework may be exempted in specific skill areas.
6. A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
7. A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces, reserve, or Texas National Guard.
8. WTC may exempt a non-degree seeking or non-certificate seeking student.