The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) helps Texas public colleges and universities determine whether entering students are ready for college-level coursework in English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics. The assessment is untimed and uses computer-adaptive testing to determine whether you meet the state’s college-readiness benchmarks or need additional academic support.
What Is the Texas Success Initiative?
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-mandated college-readiness program for students entering Texas public institutions of higher education.
Students who are not exempt typically take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2). The assessment evaluates readiness for entry-level college work in two areas:
English Language Arts and Reading, including reading comprehension, analysis, revision, editing, and an essay when required by the testing route.
Quantitative reasoning, algebra, geometry and spatial reasoning, probability, statistics, and data analysis.
The old TSI is no longer given. The original assessment was replaced by TSIA2 on January 11, 2021. Older materials that describe separate Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Statistics, or old placement-score ranges are not describing the current exam.
Who Needs to Take the TSIA2?
Entering students at Texas public colleges and universities generally must demonstrate college readiness unless they qualify for an exemption or another approved method of satisfying TSI requirements.
Common exemptions can include qualifying SAT, ACT, or STAAR scores; successful completion of certain college-level coursework or approved college-preparatory coursework; certain military service; and enrollment in some Level-One certificate programs.
Common SAT and ACT Exemptions
| Exam | ELAR Exemption | Math Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| SAT March 2016 or later | 480+ Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 530+ Mathematics |
| ACT Feb. 15, 2023 or later | 40+ combined English and Reading | 22+ Mathematics |
Other exemptions and older SAT/ACT testing dates have separate rules. Your college should review your records and tell you whether you need ELAR, Mathematics, both assessments, or neither.
Do not take the test unnecessarily. Before registering, ask your college whether you already satisfy TSI requirements through test scores, previous college coursework, military status, or another approved exemption.
The Pre-Assessment Activity
Before your initial TSIA2 administration, you must complete a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA).
The activity is designed to make sure you understand:
Why the TSIA2 is used
How your scores may affect course placement
What subjects are tested
Available preparation and practice resources
Your college, university, high school, or testing center will provide instructions for completing the PAA.
How Does the TSIA2 Work?
TSIA2 uses a two-stage multiple-choice system.
1. College Readiness Classification Test
You begin each applicable subject with a College Readiness Classification (CRC) Test.
30 questions
15 reading-focused and 15 writing-focused questions
20 questions
Questions across four mathematical-reasoning categories
2. Diagnostic Test
If your CRC score is below the college-readiness benchmark, the computer may automatically route you into a 48-question Diagnostic Test for that subject.
The Diagnostic Test serves two purposes: it gives you another route to demonstrate college readiness and provides more detailed information about your strengths and weaknesses.
| Diagnostic | Questions | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| ELAR | 48 | 24 reading-focused + 24 writing-focused |
| Mathematics | 48 | 12 questions in each of four math categories |
TSIA2 ELAR
The ELAR College Readiness Classification Test contains 30 questions: 15 reading-focused and 15 writing-focused.
Reading-Focused Questions
The reading portion covers two major areas:
Literary Text Analysis
Explicit information, inference, author’s craft, point of view, structure, and vocabulary in context.
Informational Text Analysis and Synthesis
Main ideas, supporting details, inference, author’s purpose and craft, vocabulary, and relationships between paired argumentative passages.
Writing-Focused Questions
The writing portion covers:
Essay Revision and Editing
Development, organization, effective language use, grammar, usage, and punctuation.
Sentence Revision, Editing, and Completion
Sentence structure, grammar, usage, punctuation, and effective sentence construction.
TSIA2 Essay
The ELAR testing route can also include a single essay prompt.
You are asked to write approximately 300–600 words responding to an assigned topic. The essay is scored on a scale from 1 to 8.
Your response is evaluated on six characteristics:
The essay must be completed in one session. Unlike the multiple-choice TSIA2 components, you cannot use the Save and Finish Later option once you begin the essay.
TSIA2 Mathematics
The Mathematics CRC contains 20 questions across four content categories.
| Math Category | CRC Questions |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 6 |
| Algebraic Reasoning | 7 |
| Geometric and Spatial Reasoning | 3 |
| Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning | 4 |
Quantitative Reasoning
Topics include rational and irrational numbers, ratios, proportions, percentages, proportional relationships, financial applications, and linear expressions, equations, and inequalities.
Algebraic Reasoning
You should be able to solve and interpret linear equations, inequalities, systems of equations, functions, quadratic relationships, exponential relationships, polynomials, rational expressions, and radical expressions.
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning
Topics include measurement conversions, perimeter, area, surface area, volume, transformations, congruence, similarity, symmetry, right-triangle relationships, basic trigonometry, and connections between geometry and algebra.
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning
This category covers probability, measures of center and spread, data classification, graphs and other representations, and interpretation of statistical information.
Can I Use a Calculator?
You cannot use your own handheld calculator on the standard computer-delivered TSIA2 Mathematics assessment.
Instead, certain questions provide an on-screen calculator when the test determines that one is appropriate. Depending on the problem, this may be a basic four-function calculator, square-root calculator, or graphing calculator.
Not every math question provides a calculator. Be prepared to complete basic arithmetic, algebraic manipulation, and other calculations without one.
What Scores Do I Need?
The TSIA2 does not use one overall passing score. You demonstrate college readiness separately in ELAR and Mathematics.
ELAR College-Readiness Benchmark
You are considered college ready in ELAR if you meet either of these combinations:
ELAR CRC: 945–990
AND
Essay: 5 or higher
ELAR CRC: below 945
AND
Diagnostic Level: 5 or 6
AND
Essay: 5 or higher
Mathematics College-Readiness Benchmark
You are considered college ready in Mathematics if you meet either of these:
Mathematics CRC: 950–990
Mathematics CRC: below 950
AND
Diagnostic Level: 6
Do not convert these scores into percentages. CRC scores use a scale from 910 to 990, Diagnostic results use levels, and the essay uses a 1–8 scale. These are separate scoring systems.
What Happens If I Don’t Meet the Benchmark?
Not meeting a TSIA2 college-readiness benchmark does not mean you failed college or cannot enroll.
Your college uses your scores and diagnostic information to determine what academic support you need. Depending on your institution and degree plan, options may include developmental coursework, tutoring or other interventions, or a corequisite course in which you take a college-level class while receiving additional support.
Successful completion of appropriate college-level and developmental or corequisite coursework can also satisfy TSI requirements without earning a new TSIA2 score.
Is the TSIA2 Timed?
No. The TSIA2 is officially untimed.
There is no statewide minimum or maximum testing time for the ELAR, Mathematics, Diagnostic, or essay components. However, individual testing centers have operating hours and may have their own scheduling procedures.
Save and Finish Later
The computer-delivered multiple-choice tests include a Save and Finish Later option at designated points.
If you stop and save your test, you must return and finish the remaining assessment within 14 calendar days.
The Essay Test is different: once you begin the essay, it must be completed during that same testing session.
How Much Does the TSIA2 Cost?
There is no single statewide TSIA2 testing fee.
Texas public colleges and universities may establish their own reasonable testing fees. The amount can also vary depending on whether you take one subject or multiple components, whether you are a student at that institution, and whether the exam is administered remotely.
Check with your testing center before registering. Any page that lists one universal TSIA2 price is likely describing a particular college’s fee rather than a statewide charge.
How Do I Register?
TSIA2 testing is administered through Texas colleges, universities, high schools, and other approved testing locations rather than through one statewide appointment system.
1. Check your TSI status.
Ask your college whether you already qualify for an exemption or have previous scores on file.
2. Determine which subject you need.
You may need ELAR, Mathematics, or both.
3. Complete the Pre-Assessment Activity.
This is required before your initial TSIA2 test.
4. Contact your college or testing center.
Ask about available dates, registration procedures, testing format, identification requirements, and fees.
5. Complete the assessment.
Your results are normally available as soon as you finish all testing to which you are routed.
When Will I Get My Scores?
In most cases, TSIA2 scores are available immediately after you complete the required testing.
You receive an Individual Score Report showing your results and whether you demonstrated college readiness in each applicable subject.
You can also access and share your scores through the TSIA2 Student Portal.
How Long Are TSIA2 Scores Valid?
TSIA and TSIA2 assessment results may be used for up to five years from the date of testing.
Can I Retake the TSIA2?
Yes. Texas does not impose a statewide waiting period for a TSIA2 retest.
You may retake an assessment at any time, subject to the availability and registration procedures of the testing center.
Your college may charge another testing fee or require you to meet with an adviser before registering again.
ELAR Retesting
Current policy provides more flexibility for ELAR retesting. If you already satisfied one component of the ELAR requirement, you may be able to retake only the component you still need, such as the Essay or the ELAR CRC/Diagnostic route.
Use your score report before retesting. Your Diagnostic results identify areas where you are Basic, Proficient, or Advanced. Targeting those weaker areas is usually more useful than immediately taking the same assessment again without additional preparation.
How Can I Prepare for the TSIA2?
Start with a practice test so you can determine whether Mathematics, reading analysis, writing conventions, or the essay needs the most attention.
TSIA2 Study Checklist
Practice finding main ideas, supporting details, inference, author’s purpose, tone, and vocabulary in context.
Practice comparing and synthesizing information from paired passages.
Review sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, usage, organization, and revision.
Write practice essays with a clear position, logical organization, specific support, and standard written English.
Review ratios, proportions, percentages, equations, inequalities, and linear relationships.
Practice quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, and radical expressions and functions.
Review geometry, measurement, right triangles, transformations, area, surface area, and volume.
Practice probability, statistics, data displays, measures of center, and interpretation of data.
TSIA2 Study Resources
TSIA2 is administered as part of the Texas Success Initiative through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board using the College Board ACCUPLACER platform. These organizations are not affiliated with StudyGuideZone or Mometrix Test Preparation and do not endorse these products or services.
