TSIA2 Purpose and Overview 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Texas state law mandates that public colleges and universities administer the TSIA2 to incoming students?
- Texas Education Code Chapter 51 (Correct answer)
- Texas Administrative Code Title 19
- Senate Bill 1720
- House Bill 2223
Correct answer: Texas Education Code Chapter 51
Texas Education Code Chapter 51 requires public higher education institutions to assess college readiness using approved instruments like the TSIA2.
Question 2: A student who is exempt from TSIA2 testing due to SAT scores still needs to complete which component before enrolling in college-level courses?
- Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA)
- Diagnostic section only
- Essay section only
- No additional steps are required (Correct answer)
Correct answer: No additional steps are required
Students who qualify for an exemption based on approved test scores are fully exempt and do not need to complete any additional TSIA2 components.
Question 3: The TSIA2 assesses readiness for which two foundational college-level courses?
- English Composition and College Algebra (Correct answer)
- English Literature and Calculus
- Technical Writing and Statistics
- Speech and Pre-Calculus
Correct answer: English Composition and College Algebra
TSIA2 measures whether a student is ready for college-level English Composition and College Algebra (or equivalent math).
Question 4: Who is responsible for setting the college readiness cut scores used for TSIA2 placement decisions in Texas?
- The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) (Correct answer)
- Each individual college or university
- The College Board
- ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Correct answer: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
THECB establishes the statewide college readiness standards and cut scores for the TSIA2.
Question 5: A student's TSIA2 score is used primarily to make decisions about which of the following?
- Course placement and need for developmental education (Correct answer)
- Eligibility for financial aid
- Admission to a Texas public university
- Transfer credit from another institution
Correct answer: Course placement and need for developmental education
TSIA2 results guide placement into either college-level courses or developmental/co-requisite education, not admissions or financial aid.
Question 6: Which of the following students is NOT typically required to take the TSIA2?
- A student enrolling in a degree-seeking program who scored 1530 or higher on the SAT (Correct answer)
- A student enrolling in a degree-seeking program who scored 19 on the ACT Math
- A student with no prior college credits enrolling in English Composition
- A homeschool graduate enrolling in a Texas community college
Correct answer: A student enrolling in a degree-seeking program who scored 1530 or higher on the SAT
An SAT composite score of 1530 or higher (with at least 480 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 530 on Math) qualifies a student for a TSIA2 exemption.
Question 7: What is the main purpose of the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) that students must complete before taking the TSIA2?
- To inform students about the test's purpose, what scores mean, and available support resources (Correct answer)
- To provide a practice test that predicts the student's actual score
- To determine whether the student qualifies for a fee waiver
- To allow the institution to verify the student's identity
Correct answer: To inform students about the test's purpose, what scores mean, and available support resources
The PAA is an informational activity designed to ensure students understand the importance of the TSIA2, how scores are used, and what developmental support is available.
TSIA2 Purpose and Overview 2
Which Texas state law mandates that public colleges and universities administer the TSIA2 to incoming students?