The TSI Assessment (TSIA2) refers to the second version of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment that was launched in 2021. The TSI test is a computer-based, adaptive test taken by Texas high school students in order to enroll in a Texas college, including dual enrollment courses taken during high school.

The assessment consists of an English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) test and a Mathematics test. In this article, we’ll dive into the specifics of the ELAR test, including what’s tested and how to best prepare.

What is the TSI Assessment?

Before we jump into the ELAR test specifically, let’s look back at what exactly the TSI itself is. The TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Assessment is a computer adaptive test taken by students in Texas who are interested in taking dual-enrollment courses or for those who plan to attend a Texas public college after graduation. 

Most students take the TSI test in the spring of their sophomore year in preparation for dual credit courses their junior year. However, students can technically take the TSI anytime before they enroll in a Texas college.

Only about 35% of graduating Texas seniors actually take the TSI test because most students are exempt from the test. Most often, these exemptions are achieved by getting a certain score on the ACT or SAT:

  • For the SAT, a score of 530 or higher in Math and 480 or higher in Reading and Writing
  • For the ACT, a score of 22 or higher in Math and a combined English/Reading of 40 or higher

The TSI test is composed of four subtests in Math and English (depending on how students perform, they might only see two of these subtests) and an essay. The exam is untimed but usually lasts 2-4 hours. Tested concepts include reading comprehension, writing mechanics, and math through Algebra I.

How to Pass the TSI Test

TSIA2 Infographic including test format, timing, and question types

Each test is divided into two modules: College Readiness Classification (CRC) and Diagnostic. However, if students pass the CRC modules in each test, they will not have to take the Diagnostic module in that test. For the ELAR test, students will then be taken to the Essay module.

Note that the TSI test is a pass/fail test, and there are at least two ways to pass each exam. You must pass both ELAR and Mathematics to pass the TSI and be considered college ready.

Passing Scores for TSI English Language Arts and Reading:

  • College Readiness Classification (CRC) score of at least 945 and an essay score of at least 5; or
  • CRC score below 945, Diagnostic level of 5 or 6, and an essay score of at least 5.

TSI English Language Arts & Reading Test

Now that we’ve refreshed our memory about the details of the TSI Assessment, let’s turn our attention specifically to the ELAR test. In this article, we will discuss the CRC and Diagnostic sections of the test. Look to our TSI Essay article for more information about the Essay section.

Test Content

The CRC Test addresses two content categories that each have two sub-categories:

Reading-focused questions measure your skills in comprehension and analysis of literary texts, as well as informational and argumentative texts, including paired passages. Within this question category are Literary Text Analysis questions and Informational Test Analysis and Synthesis questions.

Literary Text Analysis questions include inferences within passage-based questions, author’s craft and vocabulary. Below is an example of a Literary Text Analysis passage and question set.

Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis questions include main ideas and supporting details, inferences within single-passage questions, interpreting words and phrases in context and synthesis within paired argumentative passages. Below is an example of a words in context Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis question.

Writing-focused questions measure your skills in revision and editing of sentences, paragraphs, and early drafts of essays. Within this question category are Essay Revision and Editing questions and Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion questions.

Essay Revision and Editing questions include development, organization, effective language use, and Standard English conventions. Below is an example of an essay revision passage and question set.

Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion questions include conventions of grammar, conventions of usage, and conventions of punctuation. Below is an example of a punctuation Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion question.

The ELAR Diagnostic Test contains 48 multiple-choice questions, of which 24 are reading-focused and 24 are writing-focused. Along with the question types tested in the CRC Test, the Diagnostic Test includes some question types that do not show up in the CRC Test. These include:

  • Conventions of Spelling and Capitalization
  • Purpose and Organization
  • Sentence Combining

TSI Practice

Ultimately, the best thing you can do to ensure that you pass the TSI test is to practice it beforehand. Piqosity is excited to announce six full-length TSIA2 practice tests that can be accessed through our TSIA course. 

We recommend either using Piqosity’s Virtual Tutor to navigate our TSIA course or jumping straight to the full-length tests. Check out our article about how to use Piqosity’s TSIA course for more information.

Making the most of these practice tests is crucial to your preparation for the TSI test. It is in these tests that you can get the most accurate idea of your performance on the actual TSI. Moreover, while you may pass the CRC section of the test and not have to take the Diagnostic test, working through the Diagnostic test sections as well provides you with even more practice.

While you’re working through the lesson practice questions and full-length tests, keep these tips in mind:

  • Read each question carefully. Before you begin answering a question, read all of the content carefully. Be conscious of relationships between or among ideas. Take note about important ideas in the passages.
  • Refer to the passages when answering the questions. Answers to some of the questions will be found by referring to what is explicitly stated in the text of the passages. Other questions will require you to determine implicit meanings and to draw conclusions, comparisons, and generalizations.
  • Consider the text before you answer any question. Some questions may seem to have obvious answers, but it’s always a good idea to confirm that an answer you select is in fact supported by the text.

Further Reading: