TSI Placement Test Review Manual - Lone Star College

TSI Placement Test Review Manual

For preparing to take the TSI Writing Test

(Funded through the Gulf-Coast PASS Grant)

Table of Contents

The TSI Writing Test

A Brief Description

2

Test Taking Strategies

3

Additional Resources for the TSI Writing Placement Test

4

Writing--Part 1: Revising and Editing (The Multiple Choice Portion)

5

1. List of skills

6

2. Practice Essay 1 (and answers)

7

3. Practice Essay 2 (and answers)

11

4. Practice Essay 3 (official TSI practice exam)

15

Writing--Part 2: Writing the Essay: Scoring Criteria and Essay Writing Tips

16

Appendices: Writing Skills Practice

18

Appendix A: Skills Practice ? Fragments, Run-ons, and Comma Splices

19

Appendix B: Skills Practice ? Verbs

34

Appendix C: Skills Practice ? Pronouns

79

Appendix D: Skills Practice ? Punctuation and Mechanics

86

Appendix E: Skills Practice ? Commonly Confused Words

99

Appendix F: Skills Practice ? Transitional Devices

104

Appendix G: Skills Practice ? Shifts

112

Appendix H: Skills Practice ? Additional Resources for Grammar Practice

119

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The TSI Writing Test: A Brief Description

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Writing Placement test consists of two sections: a multiple choice section that tests students' grammar and editing skills, and an essay situation that requires students to write a multi-paragraph essay. Both sections are UNTIMED.

Section 1: Writing Skills Placement Test. The first section consists of several multiple choice questions that require students to find and correct errors in essays in the areas of usage and mechanics, including basic grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, and rhetorical skills, including strategy, organization and style. It is a self-adjusting, multiple choice test that is taken at the computer. The answer to your current question will determine the next question; it will stop once it has determined your level. Consequently, the test is untimed and has a different number of questions for each student. It also means that you will see questions that you don't know, because the test will ask you more and more difficult questions until it has found something that you don't know. Just do the best you can for each question the test presents to you. Listed below are the categories of errors that the test covers:

1. Punctuation (commas, apostrophes, end punctuation) 2. Spelling (commonly confused words) 3. Capitalization 4. Usage (word choice, word form) 5. Verb formation/agreement 6. Relationships of clauses (including the identification of fragments, run-ons, and comma

splices) 7. Shifts in construction (including improperly formed compound, complex, and compound-

complex sentences) 8. Organization and supporting details (including use of transitional devices)

Section 2: The Essay. The WritePlacer ACCUPLACER test consists of one writing situation. Students will be given a short passage along with an essay question about that passage. The essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Purpose and Focus ? The extent to which you present information in a unified and coherent manner, clearly addressing the issue.

Organization and Structure ? The extent to which you order and connect ideas. Development and Support ? The extent to which you develop and support ideas. Sentence Variety and Style ? The extent to which you craft sentences and paragraphs

demonstrating control of vocabulary, voice and structure. Mechanical Conventions ? The extent to which you express ideas using Standard

Written English. Critical Thinking ? The extent to which you communicate a point of view and

demonstrate reasoned relationships among ideas.

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Test-Taking Strategies

1. Take the Placement Test Seriously

Giving your best during the test can save you several semesters of math, reading, and writing classes, which can save you time and money. What you don't know, you don't know. That's fine. But if you know something, make sure you show it on the test so that you are placed into the appropriate class for your skill level.

2. Prepare For the Test

It is important that you review your knowledge before you take the test, particularly if you have not been in school for many years. Go over the following parts in this review packet to refresh your memory about the things you once knew. You may also choose to take one of the TSI review sessions offered by the SEA Center (in the Learning Center.) This packet is not designed to help you learn material that you never knew. For that you should take a class.

It is equally important, however, that you are physically prepared for the test. Be sure to get enough sleep the night before, and eat something nutritious before arriving for the test. Don't consume anything with caffeine or a lot of sugar right before the test. Caffeine might make you feel more jittery and less patient, causing you to skip important steps. Too much sugar will give you a short energy boost followed by a sense of fatigue. Drink water or tea instead.

3. Take Your Time

The TSI is not timed, which means that you can take as much time as you need. Make use of that! Read the questions carefully, think about them, do your work on paper, and then choose an answer. Your score does not depend on how long you take for each question. Your score only depends on whether you choose the right answer.

4. Read the Questions Carefully

Don't assume anything. Follow the instructions of the question exactly. Read all the details very carefully. A simple `not' can change everything around. It helps to copy the question onto paper and underline the important information or rewrite it in your own words.

5. Take a Break

You can take a break whenever you like! Just go to the testing supervisor, and s/he will save your work. You can continue when you come back. You can even come back the next day. This is very important because in order to do well on the test you need to concentrate. So if you need to use the restroom, go. If you are thirsty or hungry, go drink and eat. If you are tired, get up and take a walk or go home and come back the next day.

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Additional Resources for the TSI Placement Test

Succeeding on the TSI Writing Placement Test can make a big difference in your college career. Placing as high as you can will help you save time and money. You may want to use some of the following resources BEFORE you take the placement test.

Official Practice Questions (including essay topics)

The following link provides official practice questions created by the producer of the exam.



TSI Writing Placement Test Live Review Sessions

Lone Star College offers instructor-led review sessions for all students and prospective students. These sessions prepare students for both the grammar portion and the essay portion of the exam. For more information, go to the following link:

Tutorial Assistance at Lone Star College

All students enrolled in courses with LSCS can use the tutoring center that works best, regardless of location, including students enrolled in online courses. Tutoring is covered for all students through the enrollment fee, so no payment is required to use these services.

As you work through the practice problems in this packet, you may have some questions. To get help with any topic related to writing or to have a professional review of your practice essay, go to the following link to see details about the campus specific tutoring programs and hours.

Online Preparatory Website for the TSI Writing Test

Finally, you can access an online Writing Prep Course to better prepare you to take the writing portion of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) placement test at .

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