Go FAARR

Welcome! Click Here to get started on your journey to

success!

.

To navigate Go FAARR, simply click the forward arrow

on the bottom left screen

Go FAARRFinancing your EducationAssessmentAdvising ResponsibilityResources

The Go FAARR ModuleA) Ensures students are acquainted with:

• Texas Success Initiative (TSI)• Your Student Rights & Responsibilities• Institutional & Community Resources

B) Covers State mandated TSI Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)• Importance of Assessment• Exemptions and Retesting Process• Developmental Education Options• Tips for Success

C) Is required for all students entering the Alamo Colleges including those who are TSI Complete or Exempt

WhyGo

FAARR?

Pre-Assessment Activity

for Students Taking the TSI AssessmentOnce you complete this Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA),

you are eligible to take the TSI Assessment (TSIA). At the beginning of the assessment, you will be given 14 background questions to answer. The first question reads:

“Pre-Assessment Activity: Were you provided with informationand/or an activity to help you understand all of the following:1) The importance of this assessment,2) Sample Questions,3) Course options, and4) Resources for students? Yes /No

Answer “yes” to the first background question.If you answer “no” to the first question, you will be locked outand unable to continue.

NOTE: High School Students - Check with your high school counselor or dual credit liaison for the type of PAA you are to complete prior to testing.

Pre -Assessmen

tActivity

Not all students need to take the TSI Assessment. There are many ways you can be exempt. Qualifying for an exemption means that you can enroll in an entry-level college course without restrictions.

You may be exempt if you

• Met the minimum college readiness standard on the SAT, ACT or a Texas statewide high school test

• Successfully completed a high school college preparatory

course or a college-level English and math course

• Are enrolling in a Level One certification program

• Are not seeking a degree

• Have been, or currently are, in the militaryIf you think you may be exempt, contact your high school counselor or dual

credit liaison and/or the Assessment or Advising Center at your college for verification.

Want to Know More? Click here…

Do I have to take the TSI Assessment?

Pre -Assessmen

tActivity

Why is preparing for the TSI Assessment so important?

Click on the photo to learn why it is important to do your best on the TSI Assessment.

Before testing

Before you test… you need to know!

• TSI Assessment determines your college readiness• A valid photo identification (any state or federal govern• ment-issued ID) must be presented

• Cannot pass or fail the TSI Assessment

• 14 calendar days from your first log-in to complete the test

• TSI Assessment fee provided on the college campus is $32.00

• High School Students: Refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison for the TSI Assessment fee provided on your high school campus

• Unlimited re-testing

• TSI Re-Test fee provided on the college campus is $12.00 per section

• High School Students: Refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison for the TSI Assessment fee provided on your high school campus

• No study materials, reference materials, cell phones or other communication devices. Calculators “pop up” when needed. Want to know more? Click the graphic.

• Computer Administered- Multiple Choice/Essay using keyboard & mouse

• Untimed- Up to 5 hours long

• Recommend allowing two hours for writing, one hour each for reading & math

• Computer Adaptive- Questions increase or decrease in difficulty (depending on how you respond)

• Diagnostic Test- Provides an academic profile to target areas and fast-track your college preparatory program.

• Scored Immediately

What Can I Expect?Taking the TSI

Assessment

What strategy should I use when taking the

TSI Assessment? ✓ Arrive early and choose a comfortable location 

✓ Stay relaxed and confident. Keep a good attitude and remind yourself that you are going to do your best.

✓ Read directions carefully!

✓ Read the question and all answer choices before entering your response. You cannot change answers once you leave a page.

✓ Try to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess you can and move on.

Relax. Breathe. Pace Yourself.

Testing Strategies

College ReadinessDevelopmental education courses are non-credit courses that don’t count towards your certificate or degree.

Mathematics• MATH 0305 - Pre-Algebra• MATH 0310 - Beginning Algebra• MATH 0320 - Intermediate Algebra

Reading & Writing  • INRW 0305 - Integrated Reading and Writing • INRW 0420 - Integrated Reading and Writing 

Post-Assessment Advising & Refresher Courses• After you test, an advisor will help you understand your scores

and register you for a Refresher Course, if required. Offered at no cost to you before the semester begins.

• Refresher courses can save time and money by giving you a second opportunity to move into a higher developmental course or college-level course.

• You will not be able to register for any classes until you enroll in the Refresher.

What If I Score Below The College Level?

My Scores

Can I Retake

The Test?• You may retake the TSI Assessment at

any time.

• You are required to pay the fee each time you test.

• If you are retesting on your high school campus, please refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison to determine the fee

• Before you attempt to retest, it is strongly recommended you set aside time for review.

• You are encouraged not to retest within the same day of your initial assessment.

Retest? Yes, You Can!

Qualifying students with disabilities may request

accommodations if taking the TSI Assessment

on the college campus. 

If you need accommodations for testing, please contact the disability services office at your college.

  Colleges Disability Services

Northeast Lakeview College486-5000

STCM 222H Student Commons

Northwest Vista College486-4466

Cypress Campus Center 204

Palo Alto College486-3020

Palomino Center 116

St. Philip’s College486-2199

Sutton Learning Center 102

San Antonio College486-0020

Moody Learning Center 100

Testing Accommodati

ons

Student Rights, Responsibilities & Resources

Supporting Your SUCCESS

4 Pillars ofSelf-ResponsibilityCommunication

Academic Success

Responsibility

Engagement

I

C.A.R.E

About My Education

Learn more!

Success is a Shared ResponsibilityAlamo Colleges provides institutional

policies, procedures, and opportunities to promote student learning by encouraging interaction, involvement and responsible participation

Your Responsibility as a student is to CARE about Your Education

Click to view the video.

Supporting

your Success

Students who have their books and attend the first day of class are in a “ready to go” mindset. They have higher grades and course completion rates than students who are absent.

The Alamo Colleges require students to attend the first class meeting of every course in which they are registered, unless approval for the intended absence is obtained before the first meeting.

*** Not attending may result in being dropped and jeopardize your academic success.

The First Day

Matters

Financing Your Education

There are many forms of financial aid available at the Alamo Colleges such as grants, loans, work study and scholarships.

FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the first step to determine your eligibility to receive aid. This application can take 3-4 weeks to process. It’s important to complete the application in a timely manner.

Want to know more about financial aid? Click here.

Financing your

Education

This information pertains to your enrollment in college and cannot be utilized while participating in Dual Credit, Early

College High School, and Alamo Academies.

ACES Start Here

Verify Personal & Academic

Information

Monitor Enrollment Checklist &

Requirements

Check Financial Aid Status &

Requirements

Access Resources

Troubleshoot Browser & Cookies

Issues

ACES My Page

Available once you are admitted:

Verify Personal & Academic

Information

Monitor Tuition & Bills

Check Financial Aid Status &

Requirements

Access your Transcript, Degree Plan (GPS), Online Courses (Canvas)

Creating Safe & Welcoming CollegesThe Alamo Colleges are committed to a safe supportive learning and working environment for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

AlamoCARES is a prevention, education and support program regarding dating and domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

The Strategies of Behavioral Intervention (SOBI) Employee & Student Guide provides the College community with information on how to address concerning, disruptive or threatening behavior by students or visitors.

* You may submit an Incident Report to your college who will assess the situation and take appropriate action. You are not required to include your name on the form.

Click if you’d like to learn more about the SOBI Guide

.

AlamoCARES

Strategiesof Behavioral Intervention

(SOBI)

Student Resources •United Way  

•Food Bank

•VIA 

•Child Care

• Palo Alto College 

• St. Philip’s College 

• San Antonio College 

•San Antonio Housing Authority

•Student Housing

•Tobin Lofts at San Antonio College  

College & Community Resources

Click on Resources below if you’d like more information

Student Resources

Student Resources• Military • Veteran• Student with a Disability

• ESL Student• International Student

Financial Resources*• Student Financial Aid           

• FAFSA                                 

• Financial Literacy 101

• Financing Your Future

• College for All Texans            

• Bigfuture   

• Cafecollege / Find the Money 

Resources by College• Northeast Lakeview College

• Northwest Vista College• Palo Alto College• St. Philip’s College• San Antonio College

To learn more about…Click on the links below if you are interested

in more information

* Financial Resources cannot be applied to enrollment in Dual Credit, Early College High School or Alamo Academy programs.

Pre-Assessment Activity for Students

DON’T FORGET!

After you finish the TSI Test Prep, you are eligible to

answer “yes” to the first background question.

Pre-Assessment Activity: Were you provided with information and/or an activity to help you understand all of the following:

1) The importance of this assessment,

2) Sample Questions,

3) Course options

4) Resources for students? Yes /No

*If you answer “No” to the first question, you will be locked out and unable to continue.

Pre-Assessmen

tActivity

**High School Program students, please refer to your high school counselor or dual credit liaison to ensure you have completed the Pre-Assessment Activity prior to answering “yes” on the TSI Assessment.

Click on the linked images below to get tips to help you stay positive.

THINK POSITIVE!

Attitude is Everything 212° Attitude

Open Quizzes on the left sidebar on your Canvas

Go FAARR screen, then click on the “Go FAARR! Quiz”. Score a 60% or higher to complete the

Go FAARR requirement.

NEXT STEP!

You may continue to the Test Prep module, if required. You are not required to wait for the Go FAARR checkmark!