NSC Requirements & Testing
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 before attending their in-person New Student Conference. It is recommended you complete the program at least three business days before your conference to ensure you have ample time to complete action items and that the registration hold (AO) has been removed from your account. You will not be able to register for classes until it is finished.
On average, students complete the program within two hours, though it does not need to be completed in one sitting. You are encouraged to pause to complete action items along the way. Your progress will save 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 the program is available for you to complete. If you do not receive an email seven business days before your New Student Conference, please contact New Student and Family Programs, 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, multiple-choice, online examination that helps your academic advisor determine which math course you should take to ensure academic success in your major. All incoming freshmen are required to take an MPE prior to attending their NSC and will not be able to register for a math course until scores are on file.
The MPE you take and whether you need to sign up for a proctored or un-proctored MPE is dependent upon your major.
Requirements for Freshman College of Engineering Students:
All College of Engineering freshmen are required to take the MPE. All students accepted to the College of Engineering must take the MPE in a proctored setting.
For information on registering for the proctored Engineering MPE go to the Texas A&M MPE website.
Requirements for Freshman Students:
All freshmen are required to take the MPE.
Students accepted to the College of Arts and Sciences with majors in the departments of Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Statistics must register to take a proctored MPE. The proctored MPE is done online (through Zoom) by Texas A&M personnel. Students must register to take the proctored MPE before May 15.
For information on registering for the proctored MPE, go to the Texas A&M MPE website.
All students who are NOT listed above take an unproctored MPE. The specific MPE each student takes (i.e., the MPE for MATH 151/147/171 or the MPE for MATH 142) depends on their declared major. When students log into the MPE testing platform, they will be automatically directed to the MPE that aligns with their major.
For more information regarding the unproctored MPE, visit the Texas A&M MPE website.
Transfer Students
If you have completed the math courses needed for your degree at Texas A&M, then you do not need to take the Math Placement Exam (MPE). If you need to take a math course for which you have not fulfilled the prerequisite course at Texas A&M, then you are required to take the MPE.
Information regarding the testing requirements and processes is on the Texas A&M MPE website.
Information about accommodations during the math placement exam is available at the bottom of this webpage.
Please refer to the MPE tutorial video for more guidance.
For any questions or support, contact [email protected] or 979-458-0015.
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
Testing Accommodations
If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete any of the NSC Placement exams or Texas Success Initiative Requirement , please contact Disability Resources to discuss your needs. Reasonable testing accommodations are provided to allow students with documented disabilities an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.
In order to coordinate testing accommodations for any of the tests offered through New Student Conferences including the Math Placement Exams, students must submit documentation of their disability at least two weeks prior to the scheduled testing date for review.
Please contact the Disability Resources office at (979) 845-1637 or visit disability.tamu.edu for more information.