[UPDATED JANUARY 2021] The TSI Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) was created by the state of Texas to help determine whether students are ready for freshman-level college courses in mathematics and English language arts and reading (ELAR).
There are two primary reasons a high school student will take the TSIA2:
Note: The TSIA2 has been improved from the TSIA in response to user feedback and legislative requirements. As of January 11, 2021, the original version of the TSIA is no longer available. Check out everything you need to know about TSIA2 exam enhancements and guidelines on accommodations.
TSI Rule 4.55(b) requires that all testing sites provide a preassessment activity (PAA)* for all test takers prior to test administration. The purpose of the PAA is to help ensure that TSIA2 test takers understand the following:
*Note: Your district may create its own PAA, use a PAA from another Texas public institution of higher education, or email Querium to request information on how to use the statewide Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board–supported online PAA.
The TSIA2 is a computer-adaptive test, which means questions may increase or decrease in difficulty depending on the student’s responses. The TSIA2 is not timed, and students may pause the test anytime during their session except during the essay portion. If students stop and save their work to finish later, the test must be completed within 14 calendar days. In most cases, students are provided with a score immediately upon completion, including for the essay portion.
High school graduates who do not meet one or more of the benchmarks on the TSIA2, or who do not meet one of the TSI exemptions, are required to participate in developmental education prior to, or together with, enrollment in certain freshman-level college courses. Read more about developmental education options here.
Not all students entering higher education need to take the TSIA2. There are many ways a student can be TSI exempt:
Unless otherwise noted, TSI exemptions are subject-specific, which means a student may qualify for an exemption in one area (such as ELAR) but not in another area (such as mathematics).
The TSIA2 is only one exam that your college-bound student may have to take prior to enrollment. For more info, be sure to check out Your Ultimate Guide to Admissions Test and Placement Exams.