The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is used by colleges and universities in Texas to determine if students are ready for college-level coursework in English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics. TSIA2 scores help guide course placement, identify skill gaps, and inform targeted instruction.
This article explains how TSIA2 is scored and what the results mean for readiness and remediation.
What You’ll See in TSIA2
TSIA2 includes two subject areas: English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics. Each subject has two components:
- The College Readiness Classification (CRC) Test serves as the primary measure of readiness.
- If a student does not meet the CRC benchmark, they take a Diagnostic Test, which provides further detail on skill proficiency and an additional path to demonstrate readiness.
ELAR Scores
The CRC ELAR score ranges from 910 to 990. A student is considered college-ready if they score 945 or higher on the CRC test and receive an essay score of 5 to 8. If the CRC score falls between 910 and 944, the student must take the Diagnostic ELAR Test.
The Diagnostic ELAR score ranges from 1 to 6. While a lower CRC score requires diagnostic testing, a score of 5 or 6 on the diagnostic can still qualify a student as college-ready. These scores also help determine placement and guide instructional planning.
Mathematics Scores
The CRC Math score also ranges from 910 to 990. A student who scores 950 or higher is considered college-ready in Math. Students scoring between 910 and 949 are directed to the Diagnostic Math Test.
The Diagnostic Math Test uses a scale of 1 to 6. As with ELAR, a score of 5 or 6 on the diagnostic may still demonstrate college readiness, even if the CRC score was below the benchmark. These levels also support placement decisions and instruction.
What the Diagnostic Test Tells You
Although the CRC is the initial benchmark for college readiness, the Diagnostic Test gives students a second opportunity. A score of 5 or 6 on the diagnostic may override a sub-benchmark CRC score and still qualify the student for college-level coursework. These outcomes are uncommon but meaningful, and they typically reflect strong foundational skills. Diagnostic performance also offers detailed insights for instructional planning.
Essay Scoring (ELAR Only)
Students taking the ELAR assessment also write an essay, which is scored from 1 to 8. To be considered college-ready in ELAR, a student must score 5 or higher on the essay and have a CRC score of 945 or above. Essay scoring considers clarity, organization, idea development, and language use.
Best Practices
- Prioritize support for students just below the CRC benchmark—they often need only modest improvements to meet readiness.
- Use diagnostic scores to group students by proficiency level and plan targeted instruction.
- MasteryPrep’s TSIA2-aligned materials help remediate skills by diagnostic level, making it easier to close gaps and promote readiness.
Summary
TSIA2 scores provide a layered view of college readiness. The CRC test is the first step, but diagnostic scores offer an alternate route and greater insight. Educators can use this data to target instruction, place students appropriately, and track progress toward readiness.
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