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ACTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION ASSESSMENT
Presentation provided by UTPB West Texas Literacy Center an HSI funded program. HSI is a federally funded program granted by the Department of Education Title V programs.Developed by: Ana Miller, M.A.. Ed., Reading Specialist
THEA OVERVIEW
Purpose -To assess reading, mathematics, and writing skills that entering freshmen-level students should have if they are to perform effectively in undergraduate certificate or degree programs in Texas public colleges and universities.
Developed in place of TASP Determines placement in developmental
Math, Reading, and Writing courses
DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES
Purpose-To provide unprepared students with the assistance needed to build reading, math, and writing skills to a level sufficient for college success
Universities may place students in Developmental Reading, Math, and/or Writing courses, based on test scores-THEA, SAT, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER, or a university placement test
Result of the Texas Success Initiative statute and regulations
Credit hours do not count toward a degree plan
WHO SHOULD TAKE THE THEA? Students entering a Texas public college or a
university, before enrolling in any college-level coursework
Texas high school students planning to enroll in college courses that count for both high school and college credit under dual credit/concurrent enrollment programs
THEA EXEMPTIONS
ACT – Composite score of 23 or higher AND individual Math and English scores of no less than 19
SAT – Composite score of 1070 or higher AND individual Math and Verbal scores of no less than 500
TAKS Exit Level – No less than 2200 scale score on all portions, with a minimum of a 3 on the Essay Test
THEA FORMAT
MATHREADINGWRITINGFIVE HOUR TEST
READING SELECTION DESCRIPTIONS General Description
Represent a variety of subject areas Similar to first year college text Seven reading passages of 300-750 words
each Approximately 40 multiple-choice
questions 4 Answer choices for each question Standard Passing Score 230
THEA READING SKILLS Determine the meaning of words and phrases Understand the main idea and supporting
details in written material Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view, and
intended meaning (inferences) Analyze the relationship among ideas in
written material Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate
written material Apply study skills to reading assignments
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 1
Determine the meaning of words and phrases Use of context clues to determine meaning of
words and phrases that Are multiple meaning words Are unfamiliar and uncommon – such as content
area terms (Science, History, Government…) Contain affixes – prefixes and suffixes Contain figurative expressions
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 2
Understand the main idea and supporting details in text Identifying explicit (stated) and implicit
(implied) main ideas Recognizing ideas that support, illustrate, or
elaborate the main idea
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 3
Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view, and intended meaning Recognize a writer’s expressed or implied
purpose for writing Evaluating the appropriateness of written
material for a specific purpose or audience Recognizing the likely effect that a writer’s
choice of words would have on an audience Using the content, word choice, and phrasing
of a passage to determine a writer’s opinion or point of view
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 4
Analyze the relationship among ideas in text Identify sequence of events or steps in a
process Identify cause-effect relationships Compare and contrast – Analyze similarities
and differences Identify problem and solution relationships Draw conclusions inductively and deductively
from stated or implied information
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 5
Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate text Evaluate the validity of the writer’s stated and implied
assumptions and arguments Judge the relevance or importance of facts, examples,
or graphic data presented to support the writer’s argument
Evaluate the logic of the writer’s argument Distinguish between facts and opinions Assess the writer’s or a source’s credibility or
objectivity Evaluate the validity of analogies
SKILL DESCRIPTION - 6
Apply study skills to reading assignments Organize and summarize information for study
purposes Follow written instructions or directions Interpret information presented in charts,
graphs, or tables
THEA MATH SKILLS Fundamental Math Algebra Geometry Word Problems Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions Passing standard score - 230
Fundamental Mathematics
Integers and Real Numbers Fractions Exponents Order of Operations Decimals Percentages Radicals Averages
Algebra
Operations with Polynomials Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Linear Equations Two Linear Equations Quadratic Equations Absolute Value Equations Inequalities Ratios and Proportions
Geometry
Points, Lines, and Angles Regular Polygons Triangles Quadrilaterals Circles Solids Coordinate Geometry
Word Problems
Algebraic Rate Work Mixture Interest Discount
Profit Sets Geometry Measurement Data Interpretation Combination of
Mathematical Skills
YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT:
Necessary formula sheets are provided Examinees may use a 4-function (addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division) calculator with square root and percent keys
BE SURE TO USE THE FORMULA SHEETS!!!
WRITING SKILLS
Two Writing Components-Multiple Choice Elements of Composition Sentence Structure, Usage, and Mechanics
Approximately 40 multiple-choice questions Passing standard score – 220
Writing Sample-300-600 word essay Passing standard score- 6 or above, regardless of
performance on the multiple-choice items Score of 4 or below is failing, regardless of
performance on the multiple-choice items With a score of 5, 70% of the multiple-choice items
must be answered correctly to pass the Writing Section
Elements of Composition
Recognize purpose and audience Recognize unity, focus, and development in
writing Recognize effective organization in writing
Sentence Structure, Usage, and Mechanics Recognize effective sentences Recognize edited American English usage
Writing Sample
Appropriateness-Audience, purpose, occasion Unity and Focus-Maintain main idea or point of view Development-Amount, depth, specificity of supporting
details Organization-Clarity, logical sequence Sentence Structure Usage Mechanical Conventions-Capitalization, punctuation,
spelling
TEST TAKING PREPARATION
Gain access to a THEA study guide. Take the diagnostic test. Note your weak areas. Write a study plan and follow it. Start reviewing for the test well ahead (6-8 weeks) of your
scheduled test date, depending on your diagnostic test results. This reviewing is intended to refresh your memory of the skills
you have already been exposed to over the years. Avoid cramming – Cramming two or three days before the exam
will probably not help your test performance. The tested skills represent those that you have learned over many years.
STUDY GUIDES
Official THEA Test Study Guide - $16 www.thea.nesinc.com
Barron’s How to Prepare for the THEA 4th ed. McCune, Wright, Elder ISBN: 0-76412846-9 $16.95 (Available at Hastings)
The Best Test Preparation for the THEA Conner, Chadwick-Joshua, Parks, Truscott, Wajingurt ISBN:0-7386-0037-7 $21.95 (Available at Hastings)
THEA Paper-and-Pencil Test
Scheduled tests offered five times a year at 120 sites (Colleges and Universities) across Texas
www.thea.nesinc.com Registration Deadlines and Test Dates
May 18, 2007 June 16, 2007 June 29, 2007 July 28, 2007
Test Results: 2-5 weeks $29
THEA Quick Test
Same as THEA paper-and-pencil test Offered by many colleges, universities, and
high schools Testing schedule determined by the institution
Test Results: 1-2 weeks
THEA Quick Test
Offered at UTPB PASS Office MB1160 Call 552-2630 to make appointment at least
one day in advance of test date Test Times
Monday-Thursday 9am or 2pm Friday-9am Saturday-10am
$39 - $29 check or money order $10 cash for mailing and processing fees
TEST DAY
Eat before the test. Dress comfortably in layers. Wear soft-soled shoes to help maintain a
quiet testing environment. Report promptly.
GENERAL TEST TAKING STRATEGIES Follow directions carefully. Raise your hand and ask questions if you do
not understand any part of the directions. Pace yourself – you have five hours.
Three sections during one test administration –approximately 135 multiple-choice questions and one writing sample.
Most examinees should set aside at least one hour to complete the writing sample.
GENERAL TEST TAKING STRATEGIES Make notes and marks in your test booklet. Guess wisely – Eliminate responses that are
clearly incorrect to increase your odds of selecting the correct response.
Use any time left at the end of the session to check the accuracy of your answers and your answer document.
All answers and writing sample must be written in your answer document.
RETAKING THEA
ONLY if student’s initial scores: Reading below 201 Math below 206 Writing below 205
Can retake the sections not passed If taking the THEA Quick Test, must wait 30
days before retesting
PRACTICE THEA TEST
Wednesday, May 30, 20078:45am-2pm (May leave when
finished with test)UTPB Library foyer No CostRegistration form due:
Wednesday, May 2 Senior Counselor’s Office
PRACTICE THEA RESULTS
Tuesday, June 5, 20079am or 2pmUTPB Library foyer
PRACTICE THEA TEST
Diagnostic Tool Three Categories of Examinees Based on each section test results Math, Reading, Writing
90%+ Correct: 1-2 week review, THEA test 80%-89% Correct: 3-4 week review, THEA
test
UTPB THEA PREP PROGRAM
79% or below Opportunity to attend a 4 day, 3-hour per day THEA
Preparation Program Monday, June 18-Thursday, June 21 Reading/Writing 9am-12pm Ana Miller Math 1pm-4pm Jill Miller
Registration form due Friday, June 8 by 5pm to UTPB Literacy Center MB 4180
Must attend the 4 days Attend only the subject sessions for which you
qualify No cost
ACTION =
USE A STUDY GUIDE CREATE A STUDY PLAN FOLLOW THE PLAN TAKE THE THEA DURING THE SUMMER General Information Handouts (White
Sheets) Registration Forms for Practice THEA
(Colored Sheets)
References
McCune, S., Wright, N., Elder, J. (2004). How to prepare for the THEA. NY: Barron’s.
Trochim, W. K. (2006). Research methods knowledge base. http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php
REA The Best Test Preparation for the THEA (2004). New Jersey: REA.
THEA Faculty Manual. NES, Inc. (2006).