An Overview of the TSI test

• Candidate has met the minimum standards on SAT, ACT, and other tests for college readiness.
• Candidate has completed college-level courses in English and Math.
• Candidate has enrolled in a Level 1 certificate program, which is less than 43 semester credit hours.
• Candidate doesn’t want a degree.
• Candidate has been or is currently in the military.  

Format and Content Outline

• information explaining the significance of the TSI Assessment and how it works
• practice questions and feedback
• information explaining candidates’ college developmental education or high school options if they don’t meet the minimum standard passing score. 
• Information regarding community and campus resources 

1. Literary Analysis - This will determine whether the candidate knows how to analyze and identify elements of literary works. 
2. Main Idea and Supporting Details - This will determine whether the candidate knows how to identify and comprehend the main idea of a passage and its explicit textual information.
3. Inferences in a Text or Texts - This will determine whether the candidate knows how to organize ideas by making connections between two passages and inferences in single passages. 
4. Author’s Use of Language - This will determine whether the candidate knows how to analyze tone, rhetorical strategies, organization and author’s purpose, among others. 

1. Essay Revision - This will determine whether the candidate is capable of providing organization, unity, and coherence. There must also be effective uses of evidence.
2. Agreement - This will determine whether the candidate is capable of performing subject-verb and pronoun agreements. 
3. Sentence Structure - This will determine whether the candidate has knowledge of run-on sentences, fragments, subordination, comma splices, etc.
4. Sentence Logic - This will determine whether the candidate is capable of using logical transitions and correctly placing modifying clauses. 

1. Elementary Algebra and Functions - This will determine whether the candidate has knowledge of algebraic equations and expressions, linear equations, and word problems.    
2. Intermediate Algebra and Functions - This will determine whether the candidate has knowledge of equations involving radicals, roots, powers and quadratic and other polynomial expressions.
3. Geometry and Measurement - This will determine whether the candidate has knowledge of three-dimensional measurements, plane geometry, etc.
4. Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability - This will determine whether the candidate has knowledge of categorical and quantitative data interpretation, probabilistic reasoning, and statistical measures. 

• Reading - 351 to 390
• Mathematics - 350 to 390
• Writing - Essay score of 5 or Essay score of 4 and 340 for the multiple-choice

1. awe and amazement
2. interest and support
3. disgust and distaste
4. fear and apprehension

1. Some people doubted the existence of the toad.
2. Scientists were confident that they would find the toad.
3. The surviving toads have been relocated to Europe.
4. No human being had seen the toad since 1924.

1. in fact
2. therefore
3. moreover
4. in contrast

1. that keep viewers in a state of endless fright and which draw
2. keep viewers in a state of endless fright and drawing
3. that keep viewers in a state of endless fright draw
4. that keep viewers in a state of endless fright and they draw

1. have been found
2. has been found
3. having been found
4. being found

1. 21x − 18 
2. 21x − 14 
3. 8x
4. 8

1. 7
2. 8
3. 9
4. 10

1. 36
2. 144
3. 243
4. 486

• As mentioned, you must first complete your PAA because it is a statutory requirement. Your high school will give you a proof of certificate. You can show the document on test day.
• You should research the minimum passing standards for your preferred college or university. Remember that the TSI test is considered as either a diagnostic test or a placement test. It will help your college or university know the appropriate academic level to put you based on your skills and interest. 
• You should pay the necessary fees. Most TSI testing usually costs $29. 
• You should schedule your TSI test dates and take the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

• You must provide a valid I.D. It must contain your photograph.
• You must present your Pre-Assessment Activity Completion Letter or Certificate
• You must show your receipt or waiver for your payment of the testing fees. 

TSI Practice Test: What to Expect Before Test Day

A TSI practice test mirrors the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0, covering Mathematics, Reading, and Writing (ELAR) with computer-adaptive multiple-choice questions plus a 300-500 word essay. Most practice tests include 20 math questions, 30 ELAR items, and scored feedback aligned to the college-readiness benchmarks of 950 (math), 945+ELAR with a 5+ essay. Practice with the free TSI practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (300+ questions with answer explanations).

How to Use a TSI Practice Test Effectively

Take one full-length TSI practice test under timed conditions to establish a baseline, then review every missed question against the four reporting categories before retesting. Focus extra review on Quantitative Reasoning and Elementary Algebra, since these produce the lowest average scores among Texas students.

What to Expect from a TSI Practice Test

A TSI practice test mirrors the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0, covering Mathematics, Reading, and Writing (ELAR) with multiple-choice questions and an essay section. Expect around 20 questions per subject on the full test, with adaptive difficulty that adjusts based on your answers.

How a Free TSI Practice Test Improves Your Score

Taking a free TSI practice test helps you identify weak areas before test day, especially in algebra, geometry, and passage analysis. Students who complete at least three full-length practice tests typically raise their math score above the 950 college-ready threshold.

TSI Practice Test Scoring and Passing Requirements

Scores on the TSI practice test range from 910 to 990, with 950 as the minimum college-ready benchmark for Math and Reading. The Writing section requires a 340 multiple-choice score plus a 4 on the essay, or a 5 on the essay alone if the multiple-choice score is between 310 and 339.

Best Way to Use a TSI Practice Test for Prep

Start with an untimed TSI practice test to gauge your baseline, then review every incorrect answer with the provided explanations. Focus your second attempt under strict 2-hour timing conditions to build stamina for the actual proctored exam.

Many readers pair this guide with the tsia2 practice test to check their readiness before exam day.

Many readers pair this guide with the tsi math study guide to check their readiness before exam day.

Many readers pair this guide with the tsi test practice questions to check their readiness before exam day.

TSI Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Oct 20, 2026 against Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

Free TSI Study Tools

Interactive TSI resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• TSI Math Practice Test 2 — 16 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
• TSI flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• TSI study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• TSI cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

Sample TSI Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free TSI practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. A text's purpose is to persuade readers to recycle. Which sentence is most likely the author's thesis?

   • A. Every household should recycle to protect future resources
   • B. Recycling bins are often blue
   • C. Glass can be melted and reshaped
   • D. Some cities collect trash weekly

   Answer: A. Every household should recycle to protect future resources

   A persuasive thesis states a clear position the rest of the text supports.

2. If f(x) = 3x^2 - 4x + 1, what is the value of f(-2)?

   • A. 5
   • B. -3
   • C. 21
   • D. 1

   Answer: C. 21

   To evaluate f(-2), substitute -2 for every x in the function: f(-2) = 3(-2)^2 - 4(-2) + 1. This simplifies to 3(4) + 8 + 1, which is 12 + 8 + 1 = 21.

3. Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer: Claude Monet was a famous painter who's well-known painting includes Starry Night and Water Lilly Pond.

   • A. whose well-known paintings include
   • B. who's well-known painting includes
   • C. whose well-known painting including
   • D. who well-known paintings include

   Answer: A. whose well-known paintings include

   Explanation: The correct way to refer to a person, in this case Monet, is through the use of the pronoun whose which eliminates two of the choices. Two paintings are identified, so the plural form must be used, eliminating another of the choices. This choice uses whose and paintings, indicating there is more than one, making it the correct choice.

4. Which of the following numbers is irrational?

   • A. √16
   • B. √9
   • C. √2
   • D. 0.333…

   Answer: C. √2

   √2 ≈ 1.41421… is non-terminating and non-repeating, so it cannot be expressed as a ratio of integers.

Take the full TSI practice test

Official Resources

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – Texas Success Initiative: the state agency that oversees TSI rules, exemptions, and college readiness standards.
• College Board – Free TSIA2 PAA and Practice Resources: where you complete the required Pre-Assessment Activity and take free official TSIA2 practice tests.
• College Board – TSIA2 Additional Resources: official sample math and ELAR questions, sample essays, and the guide to interpreting your scores.