TSIA2 Math Prep: Texas College Readiness Test Help

In short

The TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0) is the placement test Texas public colleges use for students who are not exempt. Its mathematics part is a 20-question College Readiness Classification (CRC) test; a score of 950 to 990 means college ready, and below that a 48-question diagnostic follows. We prepare Texas students for it in live online classes, group or 1-on-1, inside our College Math Placement Test Prep course.

Ready for the CRC test

Three courses for TSIA2 math

The placement course follows the four TSIA2 categories; the others add depth when algebra or geometry needs rebuilding.

$College Math Placement Test Prep course thumbnail$

TSX / 01

College math placement test prep

TSIA2, ACCUPLACER, ALEKS PPL and CLEP College Algebra.

Open the syllabus →

TSX / 02

Algebra foundations

Quantitative and algebraic reasoning from the ground up.

Open the syllabus →

TSX / 03

High school math

Geometry, trigonometry and statistics to college level.

Open the syllabus →

Who takes it

Who has to take the TSIA2 math test?

Entering undergraduates at Texas public colleges and universities who are not exempt, plus high school students seeking dual credit. Many students are exempt, so check before you book.

The law behind it

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board describes the Texas Success Initiative as "a legislatively mandated program" that helps Texas public institutions decide whether entering, non-exempt students are ready for entry-level college work in English language arts and reading, and in mathematics.

College Board's student brochure cites the statute as Texas Education Code 51.336 and says undergraduates who enter without an exemption are required to take the TSIA2. The Coordinating Board adds that the TSIA2 "is administered by all Texas public colleges and universities."

Dual credit students

For high school students seeking dual credit, College Board's score guide says counselors use TSIA2 scores under the state's dual credit rules, and that references to developmental courses do not apply to dual credit students.

College Board's brochure also notes that many public school districts and public charters administer the TSIA2, so a high school student may test on their own campus rather than at the college.

Ways to be exempt from the TSIA2, as College Board's TSIA2 brochure lists them (your adviser confirms whether one applies to you)
Exemption route	In the brochure's words
Test benchmarks	Met the minimum college readiness standard on the SAT, ACT, or the English III/Algebra II STAAR End-of-Course tests
High school course	Successfully completed a high school College Preparatory Course
College work	Successfully completed college-level course(s)
Certificate	Enrolled in a Level-One certificate program (fewer than 43 semester credit hours)
Not seeking a degree	Not seeking a degree
Military	Have been, or currently are, in the military

Sources: Texas Success Initiative, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and College Board's TSIA2 Student Informational Brochure, read 31 October 2026. The Coordinating Board links the complete exemption list in its rules. We do not print benchmark scores for the SAT, ACT or STAAR because those pages do not state them. We are not connected with College Board, the Coordinating Board or any Texas college.

CRC and diagnostic

How many questions are on the TSIA2 math test?

Twenty, to start. Everyone who is not exempt takes the 20-question College Readiness Classification test; only students below the benchmark go on to the 48-question diagnostic.

The two TSIA2 mathematics tests (College Board TSIA2 brochure and Interpreting Your Scores guide, read 31 October 2026)
Test	Questions	Who takes it	What it reports
Mathematics College Readiness Classification (CRC) test	20, across 4 content categories	Every non-exempt student	A score; 950 to 990 means college ready
Mathematics Diagnostic test	48, with 12 from each category	Students below the CRC benchmark	A diagnostic level, and Basic, Proficient or Advanced per category

The four TSIA2 mathematics content categories, as College Board describes them
Category	College Board's description
Quantitative Reasoning	Calculating ratios, proportions, and percentages, as well as identifying, manipulating, and interpreting linear equations and expressions
Algebraic Reasoning	Solving equations (linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, rational, and radical), evaluating functions, and solving algebraic problems in context
Geometric and Spatial Reasoning	Converting units within measurement systems, solving geometric problems (perimeter, area, surface area, and volume), performing transformations, and applying right triangle trigonometry
Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning	Classifying data, constructing appropriate representations of data, computing and interpreting probability, and describing measures of center and spread of data

A second chance built into the test

College Board says the diagnostic "provides you with a second opportunity to demonstrate your readiness in mathematics." A student who misses 950 on the CRC can still be classed college ready with a diagnostic level of 6.

So a student routed to the diagnostic should not give up. The second test counts.

Adaptive, and aligned to Texas standards

The multiple-choice tests are computer adaptive, which College Board explains means "questions increase or decrease in difficulty depending on how you respond."

College Board says the questions are aligned to the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and adult education standards, so the content is the math of Texas high school courses, not anything exotic.

The benchmark

What score do you need on the TSIA2 math test?

College Board's score guide gives two routes to college ready in mathematics. Your college then uses the result, alongside other information, to place you.

Score 950 to 990 on the Mathematics CRC test. College Board calls this "a score in the range of 950 to 990 on the Mathematics CRC Test."
Or score below 950 on the CRC, then reach diagnostic level 6. In College Board's words, "a Mathematics CRC Test score below 950 and a Mathematics Diagnostic Test score of 6."

If you do not meet it yet

College Board says you "may be placed in a developmental course or provided with an appropriate intervention", or placed in a corequisite course, where you take the college-level class and support at the same time.

The Coordinating Board says students below a benchmark "are required to receive developmental education academic support as determined by the institution." The exact form is the college's choice.

Other things the college may weigh

College Board says an institution "may use additional factors to determine your placement, such as your high school grade point average/class ranking, other test scores, and courses from your high school or college transcripts", and will consider your major.

Results last: the Coordinating Board says TSI assessment results "can be used up to five years from date of testing."

Retakes are allowed. College Board says "you may retake a TSIA2 test at any time", but "strongly encourage[s]" more study first because "your scores are unlikely to substantially improve otherwise." Ask your testing center about any local fee or waiting rule before you book a retest.

Registering and test day

How do you sign up for the TSIA2, and what happens on the day?

Through the college or district that will test you, after a required Pre-Assessment Activity. The test is untimed and runs on a computer.

Check whether you are exempt. Ask a counselor or college adviser; College Board says to contact the college you will attend.
Complete the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA). College Board says the PAA "is required prior to taking your TSIA2 tests", and the Coordinating Board says each test taker must complete it before initial testing.
Contact the testing center to register. The Coordinating Board tells students to ask about the institution's testing schedule, registration and cost.
Practice with the free official material. After an account is created, College Board offers TSIA2 practice tests and the TSIA2 Perspective Learning Resources.
Plan for the calculator rules. Handheld calculators are not permitted online; some questions offer a pop-up basic, square root or graphing (TI-84) calculator.
Use the time. College Board says the assessments are untimed, and a "save and finish later" option lets you return within 14 calendar days.

TSIA2 math test conditions (College Board TSIA2 brochure, read 31 October 2026)
Condition	What College Board says
Time	"The assessments are untimed"
Breaks	"Save and finish later", then complete within 14 calendar days
Results	In most cases a score report immediately on completion
Own calculator	"Handheld calculators of any type are not permitted" on the online math test
Pop-up calculators	Basic (four-function), square root, and/or graphing (TI-84), on some questions
Original TSI test	No longer available since January 11, 2021 (Coordinating Board)

One problem per category

Four TSIA2-level problems, one for each content category

Our own problems, written to match College Board's category descriptions. They are not TSIA2 items, and the official sample questions are linked rather than copied.

Quantitative Reasoning (ours): a jacket is marked down 20%, then a further 15% off the sale price. What percent of the original price is paid?
Step	Reasoning
1. Turn each discount into a multiplier	20% off leaves 0.80; 15% off leaves 0.85
2. Multiply, do not add	0.80 x 0.85 = 0.68
3. Answer	68% of the original price, a total discount of 32%, not 35%
4. Check with a price	From 100: 100 x 0.8 = 80, then 80 x 0.85 = 68

Algebraic Reasoning (ours): solve 2x^2 - 3x - 5 = 0
Step	Reasoning
1. Look for factors	ac = 2 x (-5) = -10; the pair -5 and 2 adds to -3
2. Split the middle term	2x^2 - 5x + 2x - 5 = x(2x - 5) + 1(2x - 5)
3. Factor	(2x - 5)(x + 1) = 0
4. Solve	x = 5/2 or x = -1
5. Check one	x = -1: 2 + 3 - 5 = 0

Geometric and Spatial Reasoning (ours): a 12-foot ladder leans against a wall at 70 degrees to the ground. How high up the wall does it reach?
Step	Reasoning
1. Draw it	Right triangle: ladder is the hypotenuse, wall height is opposite the 70-degree angle
2. Choose the ratio	Opposite and hypotenuse: sine
3. Set up	height = 12 x sin 70 degrees
4. Calculate	sin 70 degrees is about 0.9397, so height is about 11.28 feet
5. Sense check	Steep ladder, so the height should be close to 12 feet, and it is

Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning (ours): class A scores 2, 5, 5, 6, 11 and class B scores 2, 2, 6, 10, 11. Compare center and spread.
Measure	Class A	Class B
Mean	29 / 5 = 5.8	31 / 5 = 6.2
Median	5	6
Range	11 - 2 = 9	11 - 2 = 9
Quartiles (median of each half, ours)	Q1 = 3.5, Q3 = 8.5	Q1 = 2, Q3 = 10.5
Interquartile range	5	8.5

The last example is the one students most often get wrong: the two classes have the same range, but class B's middle half is far more spread out. "Describing measures of center and spread" in College Board's category description means choosing the right measure, not only computing one.

Practice and a plan

An original TSIA2 math practice set and a three-week plan

Twelve problems we wrote, three per content category, then a plan that uses College Board's free practice tests.

Twelve original items, three per category, with solutions
#	Category	Problem	Answer
1	Quantitative	A price rises from 40 to 46. Percent increase?	15%
2	Quantitative	Solve 3/x = 12/20	x = 5
3	Quantitative	Slope of the line 4x - 2y = 6	2
4	Algebraic	Solve the square root of (x + 3) = 4	x = 13
5	Algebraic	If h(t) = 2^t + 1, find h(3)	9
6	Algebraic	Solve (x + 2)/3 = (x - 1)/2	x = 7
7	Geometric	How many inches are in 2.5 yards?	90
8	Geometric	Volume of a box 4 by 5 by 6 cm	120 cubic cm
9	Geometric	Reflect (3, -2) over the y-axis	(-3, -2)
10	Statistical	Median of 8, 3, 9, 4, 7, 10	7.5
11	Statistical	Two fair coins: P(at least one head)?	3/4
12	Statistical	Is "favorite color" categorical or quantitative?	Categorical

Week 1: diagnose. Complete the PAA, then take a free official TSIA2 practice test. Sort every miss into one of the four categories above.
Week 2: the two weakest categories. For most students these are Algebraic Reasoning and Geometric and Spatial Reasoning, which carry quadratics, radicals and trigonometry.
Week 3: rehearse. A second practice test in one sitting, using only the pop-up calculator style the real test offers, and checking every answer since the test is untimed.

Where you stand

Four TSIA2 math situations and what to do next

Our guide to the routes College Board describes, from first test to retake.

TSIA2 math situations (ours; your college and the TSI rules decide the outcome)
Situation	Sensible next step
1. Possibly exempt	Ask the counselor before booking any test
2. Testing for the first time	Practice test, then the two weakest categories
3. Below 950, diagnostic taken	Study by category using the Basic, Proficient, Advanced profile
4. Planning a retest	Study first; College Board warns scores rarely move otherwise

For dual credit students

Ask your high school counselor which TSIA2 route your district uses and when the campus tests.

A college-ready math result opens credit-bearing courses while you are still in high school.

For parents

The diagnostic is a second chance, not a failure. Its category profile tells you exactly what to work on.

Keep the score report: results can be used for up to five years.

The catalogue

Math courses for Texas high school and college students

Live classes from Algebra 1 to college calculus, taught to the reasoning the TSIA2 categories describe.

I

High school core

Algebra 1 and geometry

TSX / H / 01

Algebra foundations

Equations and functions.

Open the syllabus

TSX / H / 02

Middle school math

Ratio and percent first.

Open the syllabus

TSX / H / 03

Statistics and probability

Center, spread and chance.

Open the syllabus

II

Readiness and placement

For the TSIA2 and dual credit

TSX / R / 01

Placement test prep

TSIA2 and similar tests.

Open the syllabus

TSX / R / 02

High school math

Through precalculus.

Open the syllabus

TSX / R / 03

SAT Math

One exemption route.

Open the syllabus

III

College credit

Once you are college ready

TSX / C / 01

College math

Calculus onward.

Open the syllabus

TSX / C / 02

AP Calculus

AB and BC.

Open the syllabus

TSX / C / 03

AP Statistics

Data and inference.

Open the syllabus

How lessons run

TSIA2 lessons on a Texas schedule

Weekdays or weekends, flexible: choose your batch, or for a very personalised plan choose 1-on-1 at your convenience, weekend mornings or weekdays.

Weekdays

After school, in Central or Mountain time.

Weekends

Category reviews before a test date.

1-on-1

Planned to your campus testing day.

Four categories

Each taught and practised in turn.

Diagnostic-aware

We read the Basic to Advanced profile with you.

Pop-up calculator

Practice with the tools you will see.

Dual credit ready

For high school students too.

No clock pressure

We train careful checking.

Group or private

Fifteen to twenty, or one to one.

Student work

Work from our students

Students who enjoy the statistics side sometimes take it into code. See student labs.

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Fees

TSIA2 classes run on a monthly fee charged in US dollars. There is no term commitment, so preparing for a single campus test date is fine.

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A teacher to yourself
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Questions Texas students ask

TSIA2 math: common questions

What is the TSIA2 math test?

It is the mathematics part of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0, which Texas public colleges use to check whether non-exempt students are ready for college-level math. It starts with a 20-question College Readiness Classification test.

How many questions are on the TSIA2 math test?

The CRC test has 20 questions across four content categories. If you score below the benchmark, a diagnostic test of 48 questions follows, 12 from each category.

What is a passing score on the TSIA2 math?

College Board describes college ready in math as 950 to 990 on the CRC test, or a CRC score below 950 together with a diagnostic level of 6. Your college then places you using that result and other information.

Is the TSIA2 timed?

No. College Board says the assessments are untimed, and you can save and finish later within 14 calendar days, except on the essay.

Can I use a calculator on the TSIA2 math test?

Not your own: handheld calculators are not permitted on the online math test. Some questions offer a pop-up basic, square root or graphing calculator.

Who is exempt from the TSIA2?

College Board lists exemptions including college readiness benchmarks on the SAT, ACT or STAAR English III and Algebra II tests, a high school College Preparatory Course, completed college-level courses, some certificate programs, non-degree students and military service. Your adviser confirms whether one applies.

Can you retake the TSIA2?

Yes. College Board says you may retake it at any time but strongly encourages more study first, because scores are unlikely to improve much otherwise. Ask your testing center about local fees or rules.

How long are TSIA2 scores good for?

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board says TSI assessment results can be used up to five years from the date of testing.

When are your TSIA2 math classes?

Weekdays or weekends, flexible: choose your batch, or for a very personalised plan choose 1-on-1 at your convenience, weekend mornings or weekdays.

Are you connected with College Board or the State of Texas?

No. We are an independent online school, not connected with College Board, the Coordinating Board or any Texas college or district.

Elsewhere on this site

Related pages

More for Texas students and families.

Coding classes in Texas

Our classes for Texas students.

Algebra tutoring

Quantitative and algebraic reasoning.

Algebra 2 tutoring

Radical and rational equations.

Tenth grade math

Geometry and trigonometry year.

Eleventh grade math

A common dual credit year.

SAT math tutoring

An exemption route for some students.

Math tutor cost

How tutoring is usually priced.

Related pages in this guide

Part of the guide: US math placement and college readiness tests

College placement and credit

School placement and growth tests

High school math courses

PSAT and PreACT

More guides: US state math tests by state · US gifted and selective school tests · Homeschool and school math curricula guide · US math and coding competitions guide

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Tell us your TSIA2 date and whether it is for dual credit or college entry. The teacher will start with whichever of the four categories you find hardest.

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Three courses for TSIA2 math

College math placement test prep

Algebra foundations

High school math

Who has to take the TSIA2 math test?

The law behind it

Dual credit students

How many questions are on the TSIA2 math test?

A second chance built into the test

Adaptive, and aligned to Texas standards

What score do you need on the TSIA2 math test?

If you do not meet it yet

Other things the college may weigh

How do you sign up for the TSIA2, and what happens on the day?

Four TSIA2-level problems, one for each content category

An original TSIA2 math practice set and a three-week plan

Four TSIA2 math situations and what to do next

For dual credit students

For parents

Math courses for Texas high school and college students

High school core

Algebra foundations

Middle school math

Statistics and probability

Readiness and placement

Placement test prep

High school math

SAT Math

College credit

College math

AP Calculus

AP Statistics

TSIA2 lessons on a Texas schedule

Four categories

Diagnostic-aware

Pop-up calculator

Dual credit ready

No clock pressure

Group or private

Work from our students

NutriLife

Misti

GuardianX

SkyCast

Fees

Rated 4.9 across 547 Google reviews

TSIA2 math: common questions

What is the TSIA2 math test?

How many questions are on the TSIA2 math test?

What is a passing score on the TSIA2 math?

Is the TSIA2 timed?

Can I use a calculator on the TSIA2 math test?

Who is exempt from the TSIA2?

Can you retake the TSIA2?

How long are TSIA2 scores good for?

When are your TSIA2 math classes?

Are you connected with College Board or the State of Texas?

Related pages

Coding classes in Texas

Algebra tutoring

Algebra 2 tutoring

Tenth grade math

Eleventh grade math

SAT math tutoring

Math tutor cost

Related pages in this guide

College placement and credit

School placement and growth tests

High school math courses

PSAT and PreACT

Book a free first class

Want a class sooner? Book a priority demo

Keep exploring Modern Age Coders

More maths tuition

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