Before enrolling at a public college or university in the state of Texas, all prospective students must demonstrate that they’ve capable of doing college level work. They can do this by achieving a certain score on the SAT or ACT, or by taking one of several tests that Texas education officials have designated for this purpose. One of the most common is the Texas Higher Education Assessment or THEA test.
There are three sections of the test-Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. Once you’ve passed a section, even if you fail other sections, you don’t have to take that section again. A minimum passing score is 220 on the Writing portion, and 230 on the Reading and Mathematics portions. The paper and pencil form of THEA test is given five times a year all over Texas; the computer version is given once a week at 17 locations around the state. It’s a timed test, and mostly multiple choice. For the Reading section, you’ll answer about 40 questions about seven different written passages. For Mathematics, you’ll answer 50 questions on basic math, algebra, geometry, and problem solving. For the Writing section, you’ll have to write an essay on an assigned topics, and answer 40 question concerning vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, etc.
The THEA test is a challenge, and you’ll need to pass it. If you don’t, you’ll have to take supplemental remedial courses in college, and if you haven’t passed in by your fourth semester, you won’t be able to get a two year degree or take higher level classes at public institution in Texas.
THEA Test Resources
Skill Building Exercises
English
Basic Grammar
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary
Math
Algebra 1 Practice Questions
Geometry
THEA Test Practice Questions
Mathematics Test 1
1. Factor: x2 – 3x – 4
- (x + 4)(x –1)
- (x – 4)(x + 1)
- (x +4)(x + 1)
- (x – 4)(x – 1)
- (x – 1)(x – 2)
2. Solve: 3x – 12 = x + 20 for x:
- –16
- –4
- 32
- 4
- 16
3. Jen makes $5.00 per hour more than Tiffany. If 2 times Jen’s rate plus 3 times Tiffany’s rate is $80.00, what is Jen’s hourly wage?
- $19.00
- $14.00
- $10.00
- $20.00
- $16.00
Reading Test 1
As a boy, Henry Ford loved to tinker with machines. He spent most of the time in his workshop, with tools and plans in hand. Eventually Ford’s love of machines and talent for mathematics paid off. With his invention of the “horseless carriage,” he became one of the pioneers of the automobile age.
Henry Ford was born on his family’s farm in Dearborn, Michigan, on July 30,1863. Although Ford loved the farm, he was not destined to stay there. Milking the cows and plowing the fields bored him. He preferred to repair watches or redesign the farm equipment. One of the most exciting events for young Ford was the arrival of a steam engine that rolled into town. For years Ford had read about them, but this was his first chance to see one. Excited, Ford fired questions at the engineer about every detail of its workings. The engineer was impressed with the boy’s knowledge and invited Henry to help run the engine. At seventeen, Ford moved to Detroit. With 900 factories, it was the perfect place for the young inventor.
There, Ford became an apprentice at several machine shops. When he finished his training, a company hired him to set up steam engines for local farmers. Ford later worked as an engineer for an electric company, which gave him some valuable experience.
Between 1893 and 1896, Ford perfected his plan for a horseless carriage driven by a gasoline engine. On June 4, 1896, he completed his work. In a light drizzle a few minutes after midnight, Ford drove his first automobile into the streets of Detroit.
4. What is the main idea of this passage?
- Henry Ford’s early interest in machines helped him become a pioneer of the automobile age.
- Henry Ford was not destined to stay on the family farm.
- Henry Ford impressed many people with his knowledge of steam engines.
- Henry Ford’s talent for mathematics eventually paid off.
- Henry Ford became an apprentice at machine shops.
5. What happened after Ford apprenticed in several machine shops?
- A steam engine rolled into town
- He learned mathematics.
- A horse was first hooked up to a carriage.
- He worked for an electric company.
- He left his family farm.
6. When did Ford read about steam engines for the first time?
- while he was an apprentice in Detroit
- before he saw the steam engine in town
- while he was repairing a watch
- after he worked at a factory
- as an engineer for an electric company
Writing I- Usage and Sentence Corrections Test 1 (Part 1)
7. ______before we can resume testing,” said Dr. Smith.
- “There’ll be two week delay
- “There’ll be two weeks delay
- “Their will be two weeks delay,
- “There’l be two weeks delay;
- There’ll be two weeks delay
8. The ______apparently has a sprained ankle.
- runner limping across the finish line,
- runner, limping across the finish line apparently
- runner limping across the finish line apparently
- runner limping across the finish line, apparently
- runner, limping, across the finish line, apparently
9. A dream about falling through ______.
- dark endless space can be scary.
- dark, endless space can be scarry
- dark, endless space can be scary
- dark, endless space can be scary
- dark, endless, space can surely be scary.
Writing I- Essay Test 1 (Part 2)
Analyze the following argument and determine the legitimacy of the present statements. Use examples and proper grammar to analyze the topic. Do not defend or denounce the following statements. You are only required to analyze the presented information. You are required to write 300-600 words on this topic.
Topic – “The use of standardized tests is a poor factor to consider when hiring individuals for a job. Standardized tests are often biased and do not consider an applicant’s experience to screen for a position. Test takers often exhibit levels of anxiety that interfere with determining their knowledge of the presented material. More companies are reducing the weight of standardized tests, when considering applicants for a job.”
Answers
Mathematics
1. B
2. E
3. A
Reading
4. A
5. D
6. B
Writing (Part 1)
7. B
8. C
9. D