Pre-NSC Resources

All students under the age of 22 entering an institution of higher education must provide current proof of vaccination against bacterial meningitis (an immunization given within 5 years of the date of intended enrollment) or meet certain requirements for declining such a vaccination.

Newly admitted students who have not provided documentation will have a meningitis deficiency hold placed on their account. The hold will be removed once the appropriate immunization documentation has been provided to Texas A&M.

The meningitis deficiency hold will prevent you from registering for classes, so it is imperative you fulfill this requirement as soon as possible. We recommend that you submit your bacterial meningitis paperwork no later than two weeks before your conference. Submitting after the two-week mark might delay the hold being removed from your account. 

For more information, including exemptions and where to send your documentation prior to your NSC, visit admissions.tamu.edu/meningitis.

All undergraduate students entering Texas A&M University, College Station campus, must complete Online Orientation. Online Orientation has been divided into two parts to provide students with information that is relevant and timely for each stage of their transition. Part One will become available in early May/December, and we expect students to complete it at least three business days before their conference to ensure the registration hold (AO) has been removed. Part Two will become available in early August/January. It is expected that Part Two is complete prior to the first day of class.

On average, students complete Part One within an hour and Part Two within half an hour. Online Orientation does not need to be completed in one sitting and you are encouraged to pause to complete action items along the way. Your progress will be saved as you go through the program, and you will be able to return to the module where you last interacted.

You will receive an email to your Texas A&M Gmail when each portion of the program is available that will include a link to Online Orientation. If you do not receive an email seven business days before your New Student Conference, please contact Student Life, open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (CST), Monday-Friday, at [email protected] or 979.845.5826.

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a requirement by the state of Texas that all students enrolled at public institutions of higher education demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics. To do so, students must either meet the TSI Exemption criteria or pass the TSI Assessment.

You can check to see if you have fulfilled the TSI requirements online using these steps:

• Go to applicant.tamu.edu and log in with your NetID and password
• Find the “Tasks to Complete Prior to Enrollment” checklist
• Find “Fulfill the Texas Success Initiative requirements”

If a red X is present, you will be blocked from registering for classes during the NSC, so it is critical that students satisfy this requirement two weeks prior to their scheduled NSC date. Note that TSI information is not updated until at least 48 hours AFTER you register for your NSC.

Exemptions

Not all incoming students need to take the TSI Assessment Test, and many transfer students are exempt. Please refer to the list of TSI exemptions to determine your status.

If you believe you are exempt but a red X is present in your AIS Checklist, further documentation is needed to verify your exemption. Please contact the Academic Success Center at [email protected].

Not Exempt

All students who are not exempt must first complete the mandatory TSI Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) and then take the TSI Assessment test. Non-exempt students will be blocked from registering for all classes during the NSC until the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity has been completed, the TSI Assessment test has been taken, and scores are on file at Texas A&M University.

The mandatory TSI Pre-Assessment Activity (including the practice test) can be found online at either the “Applicant” or “My Record” tab in the Howdy Portal under the heading “Texas Success Initiative.” The TSI Assessment test must be taken at a testing center. Testing centers are located at most community colleges, public four year universities and even some high schools.  To find a testing center in your local area, a Google search for “TSI near me” will generally yield helpful results. Once testing is complete, scores must be sent to the Academic Success Center at Texas A&M University by fax (979-845-6419) or e-mail ([email protected]).

Testing is also available at Texas A&M University for students who have not met the Texas Success Initiative requirement. It will be administered by Testing Services, at 1101 General Services Complex, corner of F&B and Agronomy roads. Students need to register for the test prior to the test date at 1101 General Services Complex, corner of F&B and Agronomy roads or by contacting Testing Services at (979) 845-0532. For more information, please visit the TSI webpage.

If you are not exempt and have not submitted any TSI Assessment scores (even if they are below the required scores) you will not be able to register for any classes during your NSC. No exceptions.

If you have further questions concerning the Texas Success Initiative, please contact the Academic Success Center at [email protected] or visit the website at asc.tamu.edu/TX-Success-Initiative

What is the Math Placement Exam (MPE)?

The MPE is a 90-minute, proctored, multiple-choice, online examination that helps your academic advisor determine which math course you should take to ensure academic success in your major. Students will gain access to the exam 1 month before their New Student Conference, and an email alert will be sent with a link once available.

The MPE is hosted in Canvas and accessible via the Howdy portal. Students are enrolled in a community based on their major/MPE requirement automatically. All exams are proctored using Respondus Monitoring/Lockdown.

Who is required to take the MPE?

At Texas A&M University, ALL incoming freshmen must take a Math Placement Exam (MPE) before attending their NSC. Each student’s specific MPE (i.e., the MPE for MATH 151/147/171 or the MPE for MATH 142) depends on their declared major.

Transfer students do not have to take the MPE unless they are planning to take MATH 151, 171, 147, or 142 at Texas A&M. For students who plan to take MATH 151, 171, or 147, a prerequisite restriction will prevent them from enrolling in the courses unless you have credit for MATH 150 at Texas A&M University or an appropriate score on the MPE. For students who plan to take MATH 142, you must have credit for MATH 140, MATH 150, or an appropriate score on the MPE to register for the course. 

Please refer to the tx.ag/NSCMPE for more guidance.

For any questions or support, contact [email protected] or 979-458-0015.

What is the Chemistry Prep Module (CPM)?

The CPM is a preparatory module that aims to ensure students have the foundational skills necessary to succeed in their entry-level Chemistry coursework. These are primarily algebra-based mathematics skills. All undergraduate students required to take CHEM 119 (including but not limited to pre-med, pre-vet, animal science, nutrition, biology, biomedical science, public health, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, geology, mathematics, neuroscience, and kinesiology majors) must complete the CPM prior to registering for CHEM 119. That means all incoming freshmen who plan to register for CHEM 119 must complete the CPM prior to attending their NSC.

Each student will begin the module by completing a pre-test. The module will then adapt, and students will only be required to complete content related to areas that need additional development. There is no proctored version of the CPM, and students do not need to pay anything to complete the module. The amount of time that the CPM requires varies, but it has been shown to take, on average, less than 4 hours. This may sound like a lot, but it is not a test like some of the other registration requirements. Additionally, you may use a calculator on the CPM and after the initial assessment, you can proceed through the modules at your own pace. All students can complete the module with little stress as long as they dedicate time to it.

Who does not need to complete the CPM?

• Incoming freshmen in majors that do not require CHEM 119 do not need to complete the module unless they decide to change their major to one that requires CHEM 119 or are planning to attend a professional school that requires CHEM 119 (including, but not limited to medical school, dental school, nursing school, veterinary school, etc).
• Incoming freshmen in Physics, Geophysics, and General Engineering who do not plan to major in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Materials Science and Engineering typically take CHEM 107/117 instead of CHEM 119. Students who plan to enroll in CHEM 107/117 do not need to take the CPM, but they will need to obtain a score of 22 or better on the MPE to register for CHEM 107/117.
• Incoming freshmen with AP or dual credit that replaces CHEM 119 do not need to complete the CPM if they plan to enroll in CHEM 120 in their first semester. However, professional schools like medical schools and vet schools may not accept credit by exam for courses required for admission, so pre-professional students may want to complete the CPM just in case their advisor suggests they take CHEM 119.
• Transfer students with credit that replaces CHEM 119 do not need to complete the CPM unless they choose to retake first-semester general chemistry at Texas A&M.

If you are unsure of whether your major requires CHEM 119 or whether you already have credit for CHEM 119, email [email protected].

Until the CPM is completed (or MATH 140/150/142/151 equivalence is verified), students will have a hold preventing registration for CHEM 119 starting in Fall 2026. Students may complete the CPM at any time prior to their registration date.

Further information, including the link to the CPM itself, is on the Texas A&M CPM website.

For any questions or support, contact [email protected].

The Aggie Card is your official ID at Texas A&M University; it allows you to access numerous campus services.

You must submit an ID photo online on myaggiecard.tamu.edu. Once your photo is approved, you can pick up your Aggie ID Card at the General Services Complex (GSC). The GSC has 30-minute parking or you can take Bus Route 6 from the Student Services Building on campus. We recommend planning on picking up your Aggie Card on day two of your NSC after you register for classes.

If you have problems submitting your photo, contact Student Business Services.

Students who intend to enroll for the first time in a college foreign language course, who have previous knowledge of the language, however acquired, and who have no college credit in the language MUST take a placement test to determine the appropriate course for their level of ability. The foreign language placement test also serves as a basis for credit by examination. Second language learners who take the Advanced Placement (AP) test, the College Board Achievement test, the International Baccalaureate test (IB) or the SAT II Subject Test in their foreign language of choice do not have to take the required foreign language placement tests, as the results of these tests may be used for placement, but it is highly recommended. Heritage language learners must always take the placement test, regardless of their scores on high school tests, because these tests sometimes are not a good reflection of the language abilities of those students.

All exams will be conducted online and proctored remotely. Students can take them at any time throughout the summer but should do so no later than one week before their NSC to ensure they receive results prior to their registration time. Students who register will receive instructions via email on how to access the exam.

All Language Placement Exams are administered by the Department of Global Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences.  There is a $30.00 fee that is due at the time of registration.  For more information, call (979) 845-5144.

Spanish Placement Exam: Register Here

All other Language Placement Exams: Register Here

Some courses require students to submit a Lab Safety Acknowledgement (LSA) before registration is permitted. All NSC attendees must submit the LSA prior to their New Student Conference to ensure registration access. View instructions for completing Action Items in Howdy.

If you need assistance, please contact the Aggie One Stop at (979) 847-1787.

All incoming resident undergraduate students will have to select a Locked or Variable tuition rate code in Howdy (My Finances Tab in the Billing Tuition and Fees Channel) before being allowed to register for classes for the first time. Locked Rate Tuition is not available for non-resident students, so they will automatically be assigned the variable rate code (TVR_VARI).

Visit the Student Business Services website for more information about tuition rate codes.

Credit By Exam Testing  is available on testing days throughout the year. To schedule additional examinations or for additional information:

Testing Services
Texas A&M University
4239 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4239
(979) 845-0532  fax (979) 862-1957
testing.tamu.edu