THEA-IBT

The THEA Internet-based test (IBT) assesses reading, mathematics, and writing skills. A standard administration allows four hours to complete the exam.

A nonrefundable Texas State University administration fee of $50 must be paid by debit/credit card or money order (payable to Texas State University) at the TEMC business office (Nueces, 1st floor) before reporting to the testing lab. This is in addition to the $29 test fee paid to THEA through their website. You may pay the $29 THEA fee online when you create your account. The exam fee should be paid to THEA prior to arriving for the exam.

Note: TEMC cannot provide refunds for any fees or payments beyond five business days from the date of payment. Your payment receipt is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase. It is essential to submit an appointment request within this timeframe to be eligible for testing.

To set an appointment to take the THEA-IBT, email proctor@txstate.edu with your requested date and time. This test should start no later than 12:30 PM.

To register for the test and pay the exam fee, visit http://THEA.starttest.com. Examinees must create an account before coming to TEMC to test. You should pay the $29 THEA fee online when you create your account. Be sure to bring your password since you will need the information in order to access your account for testing.

If you have previously taken the THEA-IBT, be aware that THEA-IBT policies prohibit the retaking of the THEA-IBT within 14 days of your last THEA-IBT test date. If you take the test on January 1, you may take the retake on January 15.

Effective August 26, 2013, THEA no longer satisfies Texas Success Initiative (TSI) college readiness standards.

Examinees who require extended time for testing on the THEA-IBT must first register for the test at http://thea.starttest.com. After registering, the examinee must phone Evaluation Systems at 512.926.0469 between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm central time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, to discuss alternative testing arrangements. When the examinee’s request has been resolved, Evaluation Systems will contact the examinee by email. If approved for extended time (six hours), the examinee must register and begin the test by 9:30 am. Texas State students with disabilities who may require accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services (512.245.3451) prior to taking the test. Verification of disability will be required. Non-Texas State students who require accommodations must request that the office analogous to ODS at their school provide to us a list of approved testing accommodations to proctor@txstate.edu.

Additionally, all examinees who require accommodations must complete an Accommodated Testing Request Form to test at our facility at least two weeks prior to the desired exam date. Requests will be processed within two business days.

A photo ID is required at the time of registration and payment of fees. Identification is required again when the examinee checks in at the lab. To take the THEA IBT, an examinee is required to have two forms of identification, one of which is photographic identification:

• current identification, in the name in which he/she registered, bearing his/her photograph and signature (i.e., valid driver’s license, student ID, valid passport, Department of Public Safety card, military ID card, current alien registration card, Matricula Consular)
  • Theme park ID’s, club membership ID’s, social security cards, birth certificates, temporary driver’s license without photo, credit cards with or without photo, and “flea-market” ID’s will not be accepted as valid photographic identification.

The secondary identification may be another form of photo ID or the following:

• identification bearing the examinee’s name (social security card, valid credit card, description of examinee on high school or college stationery signed by an official of that institution, library card, employment identification card, yearbook, insurance card, pay stub).

THEA-IBT examinees will have the use of an on-screen calculator during the mathematics section. No other calculator is allowed.