2016 AIU Course Catalog > Procedures and Information > Assessment of Academic Proficiency

Assessment of Academic Proficiency

An assessment of academic proficiency is conducted for all undergraduate students in English and mathematics to ensure success in their University degree program of study. Acceptable measures of academic proficiency include the results of a standardized academic assessment, including ACT and SAT, or the assessment administered during a student’s first term of study at the campus. Transfer students may demonstrate proficiency for English or mathematics with a grade of ‘C’ or better in college-level coursework or have proficiency credit in these subject areas. Students with academic challenges in English, reading, and mathematics or without prior successful collegiate experience, are identified through assessments prior to entering the introductory English and math courses.

A student who demonstrates basic academic challenges in one or more of these areas is provided with a customized selection of learning resources intended to facilitate the student’s progress in the according area(s). Students will be strongly encouraged to utilize these customized resources as well as other resources where appropriate and available including attendance at Learning Center sessions or use of Learning Center materials.

Successful completion of these focused activities will enable students to improve their academic performance along with their persistence towards graduation.

Exemptions:

A student is exempt from the assessments noted above by providing official documentation that any one of the following conditions has been met:

1. For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards:
   1. ACT: composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt for those corresponding sections;
   2. Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal test and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt for those corresponding sections; or
2. For a period of three (3) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) with a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test.
3. For a period of three (3) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs on the Eleventh grade exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, shall be exempt from the assessment required for those corresponding sections.
4. A student who has graduated with an associate or bachelor degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
5. A student who transfers to AIU from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by AIU.
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 is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.
8. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
9. A student who attests to the completion of previous college credit, through the submission of a transfer credit evaluation form to the University.
10. A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.
11. AIU may exempt a non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking student.

NOTE: Submit transcripts to AIU as soon as possible. An official evaluation is required prior to granting an exemption.