TSI Bootcamp

At Talent Search Gainesville, our TSI Bootcamp is designed to equip students with the tools and strategies they need to succeed on the TSI. On the cold morning of February 12th, one student's dedication proved just how powerful preparation can be.

The day before the test, Zipol Harden, a student eager to improve his math skills, approached me with a request—he wanted to join the upcoming testing block. Before leaving, he asked for a worksheet to study, determined to give himself an extra edge. That night, he took his preparation seriously, seeking help from two different instructors and watching TSI math videos to reinforce his understanding.

On test day, Zipol arrived at 8:00 AM—30 minutes early—meticulously reviewing his notes before the bootcamp session began. He made the most of the bootcamp, asking questions whenever confusion arose. At 10:15 AM, testing began, it was time to put his knowledge to work.

As the exam progressed, Zipol remained focused, but midway through, doubt started creeping in. Ten questions into the 20-question test, he called me over and asked, "Is it possible to retake the test already? I don’t think I answered some of the questions right." I reassured him to keep going and reminded him that we could discuss retesting if necessary. Encouraged, he pushed forward.

While other students finished and submitted their paperwork, Zipol kept his head down, determined to do his best. By 1:05 PM, he reached the results screen. Unsure on what to do next, he called me over. His score? 976, the highest I’ve had in my bootcamp yet!

What made this accomplishment even more special was something we learned in the following days—after discussing with counselors, we discovered that Zipol had a history of test anxiety and had previously struggled to succeed on state assessments. His 976 on the Math TSI wasn’t just a passing score—it was a personal victory over self-doubt and past challenges.

The following week, Talent Search proudly celebrated his achievement, awarding him a T-shirt, a drawstring bag, and a Lucky the Squirrel plush as a token of recognition. When asked what he believed made the difference in his success, Zipol had this to say:

"Just practice, don't be scared to ask for help, and always look over your notes."

Zipol Harden’s journey is a powerful reminder that hard work pays off and that no challenge is too big to overcome with dedication, preparation, and the right support.