TSIA2 Preparation and Resources 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which TSIA2 writing score pathway requires a student to also complete a short essay component?
- Scoring 945 or above on the multiple-choice section alone
- Scoring between 910–944 on the multiple-choice section (Correct answer)
- Scoring below 910 on the multiple-choice section
- Any score below 970 on the multiple-choice section
Correct answer: Scoring between 910–944 on the multiple-choice section
Students scoring 910–944 on the Writing multiple-choice section must also earn a qualifying score on the essay to meet the college-ready standard.
Question 2: What score range is required on the TSIA2 essay for it to count toward meeting the college-ready Writing benchmark?
- 1–2
- 3–4
- 5–8 (Correct answer)
- 9–12
Correct answer: 5–8
An essay score of 5 or higher (on a scale of 1–8) is required alongside the qualifying multiple-choice score to meet the Writing benchmark.
Question 3: Which type of content is emphasized most on the TSIA2 Mathematics section?
- Trigonometry and pre-calculus
- Arithmetic, data analysis, algebraic reasoning, and geometry (Correct answer)
- Calculus and differential equations
- Advanced statistics and probability only
Correct answer: Arithmetic, data analysis, algebraic reasoning, and geometry
The TSIA2 Math section focuses on quantitative reasoning, algebraic reasoning, geometric and spatial reasoning, and probabilistic/statistical reasoning.
Question 4: A student purchased an official TSIA2 practice test from the test publisher. What company developed and administers the TSIA2?
- College Board
- ACT Inc.
- Educational Testing Service (ETS) (Correct answer)
- College Board and ETS jointly
Correct answer: Educational Testing Service (ETS)
The TSIA2 is developed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) under contract with THECB.
Question 5: Which of the following is a valid exemption from the TSIA2 for incoming Texas college students?
- Having completed any AP course in high school
- Scoring 1010 or higher on the SAT with a 530+ in the relevant section (Correct answer)
- Being over the age of 25
- Enrolling part-time for the first semester
Correct answer: Scoring 1010 or higher on the SAT with a 530+ in the relevant section
Students who score 1010+ on the SAT composite and at least 530 on the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing or Math subsection meet a TSIA2 exemption criterion.
Question 6: What does TSI stand for in the context of Texas higher education?
- Texas Student Initiative
- Texas Success Initiative (Correct answer)
- Texas Standards Implementation
- Texas Scholastic Index
Correct answer: Texas Success Initiative
TSI stands for Texas Success Initiative, a program designed to ensure students have the college-readiness skills needed to succeed.
Question 7: Which resource would be MOST useful for practicing the TSIA2 essay component specifically?
- Flashcard apps focusing on math formulas
- ETS official TSIA2 practice prompts with scored sample essays (Correct answer)
- Grammar workbooks without writing prompts
- Reading comprehension passages only
Correct answer: ETS official TSIA2 practice prompts with scored sample essays
ETS official practice prompts with annotated scored samples teach students how essays are evaluated and how to meet the scoring criteria.
TSIA2 Preparation and Resources 3
Which TSIA2 writing score pathway requires a student to also complete a short essay component?