This free TSI study guide covers everything the TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0) measures across its two subjects — English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics — organized to the official THECB and College Board structure.[1]
It’s interactive, not a wall of text: every module has built-in checkpoint quizzes, flashcards, and practice questions, so you learn by doing — not just reading.
The TSIA2 is a placement test, not a pass/fail exam. In each subject you first take a multiple-choice test; if you miss the cut, you take a that pinpoints your level. ELAR also includes the .[2]
Read a module, test yourself at each checkpoint, then drill gaps with our free practice test and flashcards. This guide is a high-yield overview of what the TSIA2 tests — not a full textbook.
TSI (TSIA2) Exam Snapshot
| Detail | TSIA2 Exam |
|---|---|
| Subjects | 2: English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics |
| Structure | Each subject: a CRC multiple-choice test, then a Diagnostic only if you miss the cut |
| Essay | ELAR includes the WritePlacer essay, scored 1–8 |
| Format | Computer-adaptive, mostly multiple choice; untimed |
| ELAR cut | CRC 945+ and essay 5+ (or diagnostic level 5–6 with essay 5+) |
| Math cut | CRC 950+ (or diagnostic level 6) |
| Score scales | CRC ≈ 910–990; diagnostic level 1–6; essay 1–8 |
| Result | Placement, not pass/fail: college ready vs. developmental / co-requisite support |
| Eligibility | Most students entering Texas public colleges, unless exempt |
| Administered by | THECB; delivered by College Board (Accuplacer platform) |
English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR)
≈ 30 CRC questions + WritePlacer essay
Literary & informational reading, vocabulary, plus essay/sentence revision and editing. The essay is scored 1–8.
Mathematics
≈ 20 CRC questions
Quantitative, algebraic, geometric/spatial, and probabilistic/statistical reasoning — four official knowledge categories.
You don’t earn an “overall” TSIA2 grade — each subject is placed independently, and the path through each one depends on your CRC score.[2] Here is how the structure and cut scores work:
- 1
College-Readiness Classification (CRC) test — everyone starts here
A multiple-choice, computer-adaptive test for the subject. ELAR also includes the WritePlacer essay. Your CRC scale score decides what comes next.
- ✓
Meet the cut → placed as College Ready
ELAR: CRC 945+ AND essay 5+. Mathematics: CRC 950+. You can enroll directly in entry-level, credit-bearing college courses — no Diagnostic needed.
- →
Miss the cut → take the Diagnostic test
An additional set of questions in that subject that pinpoints your skill level on a 1–6 scale, so the college can place you precisely.
- ✦
Diagnostic level + essay → placement
ELAR: a diagnostic level of 5 or 6 with an essay of 5+ is college ready; otherwise developmental/co-requisite support. Mathematics: a diagnostic level of 6 is college ready; lower levels mean support.
Module 1 · ELAR – Reading
The reading half of ELAR asks you to reason with text — comprehend, infer, analyze, and synthesize across both and passages, and to determine .[1] Reading and writing are scored together as one ELAR result, so strong reading directly lifts your CRC score.
Literary Text Analysis
Read fiction, poetry, and drama; determine theme, make inferences, and analyze how authors use language.
Informational Text & Synthesis
Find the main idea and supporting evidence in nonfiction; analyze and synthesize ideas across passages.
Essay Revision & Editing
Improve a draft's organization, development, and word choice; pick revisions that strengthen the whole essay.
Sentence Revision, Editing & Completion
Fix grammar, usage, agreement, sentence structure, and punctuation at the sentence level.
1.1 Literary Text Analysis
Literary passages — fiction, poetry, and drama — reward attention to theme, character, mood, and figurative language. You’ll identify the , make from what the text implies, and analyze how an author’s word choices shape meaning and .
| Skill | What it asks you to do |
|---|---|
| Theme & main idea | Identify the central message a literary passage conveys |
| Inference | Draw a conclusion the text implies but does not state |
| Character & motivation | Explain what a character feels or wants from textual clues |
| Tone & word choice | Analyze how specific words create mood and reveal attitude |
| Figurative language | Interpret metaphor, simile, and imagery |
1.2 Informational Text & Synthesis
Informational passages — essays, articles, and reports — reward tracking the central argument and its evidence. You identify the and its , evaluate an author’s reasoning, and ideas across more than one source.
| Skill | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Central idea & summary | State the main point and restate it concisely |
| Supporting evidence | Identify the facts and reasons that develop the argument |
| Text structure | Recognize cause/effect, compare/contrast, and sequence |
| Evaluate an argument | Judge whether the evidence supports the author's claim |
| Synthesis | Compare two texts on a topic — note where they agree and disagree |
1.3 Vocabulary in Context
A reliable chunk of TSIA2 reading is : figuring out what a word or phrase means as it is used, using the surrounding sentences as clues. The “dictionary-correct” choice is often a trap when it doesn’t fit the actual sentence.
Checkpoint · ELAR – Reading
Question 1 of 10
Read the following lines from a short story: "When her sister announced the engagement, Priya smiled and raised her glass with everyone else, but later that night she scrubbed the same clean pot at the sink for nearly an hour." What can the reader most reasonably infer about Priya?
Module 2 · ELAR – Writing & the Essay
The writing half of ELAR has two parts: multiple-choice revision and editing items, and the . The multiple-choice items are embedded in real drafts — you choose the revision that improves the writing, not isolated grammar trivia.[1]
2.1 Essay Revision & Editing
These items work at the whole-essay level: choosing an effective or , adding or cutting content for relevance, improving development and word choice, and picking logical that connect ideas.
| Focus | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Thesis & focus | Does the essay state and stick to one clear central position? |
| Relevance | Does every sentence support the point? Cut the off-topic one |
| Development | Is each point backed by reasons, examples, or detail? |
| Transitions | Pick the word/phrase that fits the logical relationship |
| Word choice | Choose precise, concise wording over vague or wordy options |
2.2 Sentence Revision & Completion
These items work at the sentence level: fixing a or , keeping , repairing a or , and choosing the clearest, most correct version of a sentence.
| Skill | What to check |
|---|---|
| Modifier placement | Put a modifier next to the word it describes (avoid dangling modifiers) |
| Parallel structure | Items in a list/comparison share the same grammatical form |
| Fragments & run-ons | Every sentence needs a subject and verb; fix comma splices |
| Sentence combining | Join choppy sentences clearly with the right conjunction |
| Concision | Prefer the shortest option that keeps the meaning and is correct |
2.3 Grammar, Usage & Conventions
Conventions cover the mechanics tested throughout the writing items: , pronoun agreement and case, consistent verb tense, and correct punctuation (commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes) and spelling.
| Rule | What to check |
|---|---|
| Subject-verb agreement | Singular subject → singular verb; watch words between subject and verb |
| Pronoun agreement & case | Pronouns match their nouns; use the correct subjective/objective case |
| Verb tense consistency | Keep tense consistent unless the time frame actually changes |
| Punctuation | Commas, semicolons, colons, and apostrophes used correctly |
| Spelling & usage | Standard spelling; commonly confused words (their/there, its/it's) |
2.4 The WritePlacer Essay
The is the part most test-takers worry about — and the most coachable. You read a prompt, take a clear position, and develop it with reasons and examples. It is scored 1–8, and you generally need at least a 5 (with a qualifying CRC or diagnostic result) to be college ready in ELAR.[3]
Purpose & Focus
A clear central position, sustained and on-topic from start to finish.
Organization & Structure
A logical flow — intro, developed body paragraphs, conclusion — with smooth transitions.
Development & Support
Specific reasons, examples, and details that explain and back up your position.
Sentence Variety & Style
Varied, controlled sentences and precise, appropriate word choice.
Mechanics & Conventions
Correct grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation throughout.
Critical Thinking
Thoughtful reasoning that addresses the prompt with insight, not just summary.
- 1
Read the prompt and take a position
The WritePlacer gives you a single topic to take a stance on. Decide your position before you write — a clear claim is the backbone of a high score.
- 2
Plan your reasons and examples
Jot 2–3 strong reasons with specific supporting details. Development and support is one of the scored traits.
- 3
Write a structured argument
Open with your position, devote one body paragraph to each reason, and close with a conclusion. Use transitions to connect ideas.
- 4
Vary your sentences and word choice
Mix sentence lengths and structures and choose precise words — style and sentence variety are scored.
- 5
Proofread for conventions
Use your remaining time to fix grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation. Mechanics counts toward your 1–8 score.
Checkpoint · ELAR – Writing
Question 1 of 10
A student is writing an essay arguing that schools should start later in the day. Which sentence would best serve as the essay's thesis statement?
Module 3 · Mathematics
The TSIA2 Mathematics section spans four official knowledge categories: quantitative, algebraic, geometric/spatial, and probabilistic/statistical reasoning.[1] Most items are word problems, so the skill is translating the words into math first. The section is computer-adaptive and untimed.
Quantitative Reasoning
Ratios, proportions, percents, rates, and number sense in real-world problems.
Algebraic Reasoning
Linear & quadratic equations, inequalities, expressions, functions, and the coordinate plane.
Geometric & Spatial Reasoning
Perimeter, area, volume, the Pythagorean theorem, similar figures, and angle relationships.
Probabilistic & Statistical Reasoning
Mean, median, mode, range, probability, and interpreting graphs and data displays.
3.1 Quantitative Reasoning
The number-sense strand: ratios, , rates, and in real-world problems. Convert a percent to a decimal by dividing by 100, and solve a proportion by cross-multiplying.
| Topic | Key move |
|---|---|
| Percent of a number | Convert to a decimal and multiply: 20% of 80 = 0.20 × 80 = 16 |
| Percent change | (new − old) ÷ old × 100 |
| Proportion | Set two ratios equal and cross-multiply to solve |
| Unit rate | Divide to find 'per one' (miles ÷ hours = miles per hour) |
| Ratios | Compare quantities; scale both parts by the same factor |
3.2 Algebraic Reasoning
Algebra is a major strand. Solve and inequalities, work with slope-intercept form y = mx + b, find the and , factor and solve , and evaluate .
| Concept | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Slope | Rise over run = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁); the m in y = mx + b |
| Y-intercept | Where the line crosses the y-axis (x = 0); the b in y = mx + b |
| Linear equation | Isolate the variable using inverse operations on both sides |
| Quadratic equation | ax² + bx + c = 0; solve by factoring or the quadratic formula |
| Function | Each input has exactly one output; f(x) is the output for input x |
| Inequalities | Flip the inequality sign when you multiply or divide by a negative |
3.3 Geometric & Spatial Reasoning
Geometry on the TSIA2 covers perimeter, area, and volume of basic figures, the for right triangles, similar and congruent figures, and angle relationships. Watch your units and don’t confuse radius with diameter.
| Shape / measure | Formula |
|---|---|
| Rectangle area | Area = length × width |
| Triangle area | Area = ½ × base × height |
| Circle area / circumference | Area = πr² ; circumference = 2πr |
| Rectangular prism volume | Volume = length × width × height |
| Pythagorean theorem | a² + b² = c² (right triangles); c is the hypotenuse |
| Angle relationships | Supplementary = 180°; complementary = 90°; vertical angles are equal |
3.4 Probabilistic & Statistical Reasoning
This strand tests reading graphs and data, the measures of center, and probability. Know the difference between the , , and , and that is favorable outcomes divided by total outcomes, from 0 to 1.
| Measure | How to find it |
|---|---|
| Mean (average) | Add all values, divide by how many there are |
| Median | Middle value when data are in order (average the two middle if even count) |
| Mode | The value that appears most often |
| Range | Highest value minus lowest value |
| Probability | Favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes (a number from 0 to 1) |
| Reading graphs | Use the axis labels and key before reading a value |
Checkpoint · Mathematics
Question 1 of 3
The number of hours seven students studied for an exam were 3, 5, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 12. What is the median number of hours studied?
Module 4 · CRC, Diagnostic & Placement
Understanding how the TSIA2 is structured is its own advantage — it tells you exactly what your score means and what comes next. This module covers the → flow, the cut scores, and the exemptions that can let you skip the test entirely.[2]
4.1 The CRC → Diagnostic Flow
In each subject you first take the multiple-choice CRC test. If your CRC score meets the cut, you’re placed as college ready and you’re done. If it falls below the cut, you take the Diagnostic, which pinpoints your skill level on a 1–6 scale so the college can place you precisely.
4.2 Cut Scores & College Readiness
For ELAR, you’re college ready with a CRC score of 945+ and an essay of 5+, or — if your CRC is below 945 — a diagnostic level of 5 or 6 and an essay of 5+ (both are required; a level 4 routes you to the essay but is not eligible for college ready). For Mathematics, you’re college ready with a CRC score of 950+, or a diagnostic level of 6. Falling short places you into or .[2][5]
4.3 Exemptions & Who Must Test
Most students entering Texas public colleges must take the TSIA2 unless they qualify for an . Common exemptions include qualifying SAT, ACT, or STAAR End-of-Course scores, prior college-level coursework, certain degrees, or military service.[4]
How to Use This TSI Study Guide
Because the TSIA2 places ELAR and Mathematics separately, the smartest plan is to target your weaker subject first:
- Start with your weaker subject. Most students find math or the essay hardest — give it the most runway.
- Read the module, then check yourself. Take the end-of-module checkpoint to see exactly which skills need another pass.
- Aim above the cut. Don’t aim for the bare minimum — a comfortable margin protects you if a few questions go wrong.
- Check off as you go. Mark each section done in the Study Guide Contents — it raises your exam-readiness score.
- Drill weak spots. Send shaky topics into the flashcards and a practice test until you clear the cut comfortably.
- Practice the essay by writing. The WritePlacer rewards a clear position and real support — write timed practice essays, not just notes.
TSI Concept Questions
Common TSIA2 concepts students search while studying — each answered briefly and backed by an official source. Test yourself, then drill them as flashcards.
TSI Glossary
The high-yield TSIA2 terms across ELAR and Mathematics in one place — hover any dotted term in the guide, or flip the whole deck here as a self-grading flashcard set.
- Author's purpose
- The reason a text was written — to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
- Co-requisite support
- A model in which a student takes a credit-bearing course alongside extra support, instead of a separate developmental course.
- College Readiness Classification (CRC)
- The multiple-choice test taken first in each TSIA2 subject; meeting its cut score places you as college ready without the Diagnostic.
- Comma splice
- A sentence error in which two independent clauses are joined by only a comma.
- Dangling modifier
- A modifier with no clear word in the sentence to describe, so it 'dangles.'
- Developmental education
- Non-credit coursework that builds reading, writing, or math skills before a student takes college-level courses.
- Diagnostic test
- An additional TSIA2 test taken only if you miss the CRC cut; it pinpoints your skill level on a 1–6 scale for precise placement.
- Exemption
- A way to satisfy the Texas Success Initiative without the TSIA2 — for example, qualifying SAT, ACT, or STAAR scores, prior college work, or military service.
- Function
- A rule that assigns exactly one output to each input; written f(x).
- Inference
- A logical conclusion the reader draws from textual evidence plus prior knowledge — not stated outright.
- Informational text
- Nonfiction such as essays, articles, and reports that present facts and arguments.
- Linear equation
- An equation whose graph is a straight line, with variables to the first power (e.g., y = 2x + 1).
- Literary text
- Imaginative writing such as fiction, poetry, and drama, read for theme, character, and figurative language.
- Main idea
- The central point or message a passage conveys — what the whole text is mostly about.
- Mean
- The average — the sum of all values divided by the number of values.
- Median
- The middle value of a data set arranged in order.
- Misplaced modifier
- A descriptive word or phrase placed next to the wrong word, creating an unintended meaning.
- Mode
- The value that appears most often in a data set.
- Parallel structure
- Using the same grammatical form for items in a list, pair, or comparison.
- Percent
- A part per hundred; convert to a decimal by dividing by 100 (25% = 0.25).
- Probability
- The likelihood of an event, from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain), as favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes.
- Proportion
- An equation stating that two ratios are equal; solved by cross-multiplying.
- Pythagorean theorem
- In a right triangle, a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse.
- Quadratic equation
- An equation containing a squared variable (ax² + bx + c = 0); its graph is a parabola.
- Run-on sentence
- Two or more independent clauses joined with no proper punctuation or conjunction.
- Slope
- The steepness of a line: rise over run, the change in y divided by the change in x; the m in y = mx + b.
- Subject-verb agreement
- The rule that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject a plural verb.
- Supporting detail
- A fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains, proves, or develops the main idea.
- Synthesis
- Combining ideas from two or more texts or pieces of evidence to draw a broader conclusion.
- Thesis
- The sentence that states an essay's central position or claim, usually near the start.
- Tone
- The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice (e.g., formal, critical, hopeful).
- Topic sentence
- The sentence that states the main point of a paragraph.
- Transition
- A word or phrase (however, therefore, for example) that signals the logical relationship between ideas.
- TSIA2
- The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 — the current placement test that determines whether a Texas college student is ready for college-level ELAR and math coursework.
- Vocabulary in context
- Determining what a word means based on the surrounding sentences, not its most common dictionary definition.
- WritePlacer essay
- The TSIA2 ELAR essay, scored 1–8, in which you take and develop a clear position on a given prompt.
- Y-intercept
- The point where a line crosses the y-axis (where x = 0); the b in y = mx + b.
TSI Study Guide FAQ
The TSI is the Texas Success Initiative, and the test is the TSIA2 — the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0, administered under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and delivered by College Board. It has two subjects: English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics. Each begins with a multiple-choice College Readiness Classification (CRC) test, and ELAR also includes the WritePlacer essay, scored 1 to 8.
No. The TSIA2 is a placement test, not a pass/fail exam. It classifies you as either college ready or as needing developmental education or co-requisite support in each subject. Being college ready means you can enroll directly in entry-level, credit-bearing courses; not meeting the cut means you are placed into support coursework to build the needed skills.
For ELAR, you are college ready with a CRC score of 945 or higher together with an essay of 5 or higher — or, if your CRC is below 945, a diagnostic level of 5 or 6 plus an essay of 5 or higher. For Mathematics, you are college ready with a CRC score of 950 or higher, or, if below 950, a diagnostic level of 6. Always confirm current cut scores and any local rules with your college.
Everyone takes the College Readiness Classification (CRC) multiple-choice test first in each subject. If your CRC score meets the cut, you are placed as college ready and you are done. If it does not, you take an additional Diagnostic test, which pinpoints your skill level on a 1 to 6 scale so the college can place you precisely.
The ELAR section includes the WritePlacer essay, scored on a 1 to 8 scale. You take a clear position on a prompt and develop it with reasons and examples. Graders reward focus, organization, development and support, sentence variety, and correct conventions. For college readiness in ELAR you generally need an essay of at least 5 with a qualifying CRC or diagnostic result.
The TSIA2 is untimed, so you can work at your own pace, but most students finish each subject in a couple of hours. Because there is no clock, the real challenge is staying focused and reading carefully. The test is computer-adaptive, so the questions adjust to your performance as you go.
Most students entering Texas public colleges and universities must take the TSIA2 unless they qualify for an exemption. Common exemptions include qualifying SAT, ACT, or STAAR End-of-Course scores, prior college-level coursework, certain degrees, or military service. Because colleges set the exact thresholds, confirm exemption rules with your specific institution.
The College Readiness Classification (CRC) test has roughly 30 questions in ELAR and about 20 in Mathematics, plus the WritePlacer essay in ELAR. If you fall below a CRC cut, the Diagnostic adds more questions in that subject. Because the test is adaptive and untimed, focus on accuracy rather than counting questions.
Yes — this TSIA2 study guide, plus our practice test and flashcards, are 100% free with no account required. They are organized to the official THECB and College Board TSIA2 structure for ELAR and Mathematics.
References
- 1.College Board. “Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2).” accuplacer.collegeboard.org. ↑
- 2.College Board. “TSIA2 Scores and Placement.” accuplacer.collegeboard.org. ↑
- 3.College Board. “TSIA2 Student Guide.” accuplacer.collegeboard.org. ↑
- 4.Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. “Texas Success Initiative.” highered.texas.gov. ↑
- 5.College Board. “TSIA2 Technical Manual.” accuplacer.collegeboard.org. ↑
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