Texas Success Initiative Assessment - 2.0 

What is the TSIA2?

The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 or TSIA2 is the state-mandated placement test (Texas Education Code §51.3062) that Texas public institutions must use to determine a student's readiness for college-level courses.  College readiness is the ability to successfully complete freshman-level college coursework without remediation.

The purpose of the TSIA2 test is to provide you with useful information about your academic skills in math, reading, and writing. You cannot "pass" or "fail" the placement tests, but it is very important that you do your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with your academic background, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisors to determine your course selection and where you will be most successful. 

There are two general areas tested, English language arts and reading (ELAR) and mathematics. Unless exempt, entering college students are required to take tests in ELAR and mathematics, which either classify them as college-ready or provide a diagnosis to

1) Facilitate entry into the appropriate developmental education course OR

2) Support co-enrollment in a developmental education course and an entry-level,credit-bearing course within the same semester.  

Mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)

All students are required to complete a TSIA2 Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) before completing the TSIA2 exam. The PAA is only an exercise to be completed and will not be scored. Students are required to take the PAA on their own, either at home or at school; students should spend less than 30 minutes on the PAA. Click on the appropriate PAA link below.

TSIA2 Breakdown

TSIA2 Math Test – This portion is made up of 20 questions and covers 4 content categories:

• Quantitative Reasoning: Calculating ratios, proportions, and percentages, as well as identifying, manipulating, and interpreting linear equations and expressions,
• Algebraic Reasoning: Solving equations (linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, rational, and radical), evaluating functions, and solving algebraic problems in context
• Geometric and Spatial Reasoning: Converting units within measurement systems, solving geometric problems (perimeter, area, surface area, and volume), performing transformations, and applying right triangle trigonometry
• Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning: Classifying data, constructing appropriate representations of data, computing, and interpreting probability, and describing measures of center and spread of data

If you don’t meet the college readiness benchmark, you’ll be routed to the multiple-choice Mathematics Diagnostic Test. Take your time and answer each question to the best of your ability. This test provides you with a second opportunity to demonstrate your readiness in mathematics. The Mathematics Diagnostic Test is made up of 48 questions. There are 12 questions from each of the content categories listed above. 

TSIA2 ELAR Test – This section is made up of 30 questions, covers 4 subcategories, and addresses these 2 content categories: Reading-focused questions measure your skills in comprehension and analysis of literary texts, as well as informational and argumentative texts, including paired passages. Writing-focused questions measure your skills in revision and editing of sentences, paragraphs, and early drafts of essays.

If you don’t meet the college readiness benchmark on the CRC you’ll then take the multiple-choice ELAR Diagnostic Test. Take your time and answer each question to the best of your ability. This test provides you with a second opportunity to demonstrate your readiness in ELAR. The ELAR Diagnostic Test contains 48 multiple-choice questions, of which 24 are reading-focused and 24 are writing-focused. 

TSIA2 Essay Test – The TSIA2 Essay Test is used along with the multiple-choice ELAR component to see if you’re college-ready with respect to reading and writing. The Essay Test requires you to provide a 300- to 600-word essay in response to one randomly selected prompt. You’re not allowed to use a dictionary or other outside resources. To help you plan your essay and write rough drafts, you may ask the proctor for plain scratch paper, which will be collected at the end of your test session.