TSI

What is the TSI?

The TSI is a college placement exam which assesses students in the subjects of English language arts and reading (ELAR), essay writing, and math. The exam is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help determine if a student is ready for college-level coursework in the general areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. This assessment also will help determine what type of course or intervention will best meet the students’ needs to help them be prepared for and succeed in college-level coursework. The exam is online, not timed, and can be retaken multiple times.

A student planning on entering college in Texas is required to take the TSI -- unless exempt from STAAR (EOC) or ACT scores -- to determine readiness for college-level work. Based on how students perform, they may either be enrolled in a college-level course that matches their skill level and/or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or other intervention to improve their skills and prepare them for success in college-level courses.

TSI Subjects

How does the MATH TSI work?

The Math TSI (CRC) is made up of 20 questions with 4 content categories: quantitative reasoning, algebraic reasoning, geometric and spatial reasoning, and probabilistic and statistical reasoning. If the student does not meet the benchmark for college readiness, the student will be administered a 48 question diagnostic exam in order to pinpoint which of the 4 content categories the student is struggling with the most.

How does the ELAR TSI work?

The ELAR TSI (CRC) is made up of 30 questions broken into 2 content categories: reading-focused and writing-focused. If the student does not meet the benchmark for college readiness, the student will be administered a 48 question diagnostic exam; 24 questions for the reading-focused content and 24 questions for the writing-focused content.

How does the Essay on the TSI work?

The TSIA2 Essay Test is used along with the multiple choice ELAR component to see if you’re college ready with respect to reading and writing. The Essay Test requires you to provide a 300- to 600-word essay in response to one randomly selected prompt.