TSI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TSI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Simplify the expression: (x^2 - x - 12)/(x - 4). → x + 3
2. Which word best completes the sentence to show contrast: "She studied for weeks; ______, she felt unprepared"? → however
3. Solve for x: 3(x - 4) = 2x + 5. → x = 17
4. Which of the following is the solution set of the inequality 2x + 3 > 11? → x > 4
5. A passage states: "The Arctic ice cap has decreased by 13% per decade since 1979." What inference can be made from this data? → The Arctic ice cap is shrinking at a significant and consistent rate
6. Choose the correct pronoun: "Neither the manager nor the employees finished ____ task." → their
7. Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb? → The data show that temperatures are rising.
8. Which option best replaces the vague word "bad" in: "Smoking has bad effects on health." → Smoking has detrimental effects on health.
9. An author writes: "While many believe social media harms teenagers, research suggests it can also strengthen social connections." What is the author doing? → Acknowledging a counterargument before presenting an opposing viewpoint
10. A car travels at constant speed and goes 150 miles in 3 hours. Write the distance function d(t). → d(t) = 50t
11. Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement. → Neither the teachers nor the principal was informed.
12. In 'The CEO's terse reply ended the meeting,' the word 'terse' most nearly means: → Brief and abrupt
13. Which is the best objective summary of a memoir chapter about the author overcoming stage fright to win a debate? → The author conquered fear of public speaking and succeeded in a debate
14. An author writes in a passionate, urgent tone about deforestation. Which word best describes the author's tone? → Impassioned
15. Solve the system: y = x + 1 and y = 2x - 3. → (4, 5)
16. A poet describes grief as "a stone lodged behind the ribs." Which literary device is being used? → Metaphor
17. What does "diminish" most likely mean in context: "smartphones diminish face-to-face communication skills"? → Weaken or reduce
18. Which revision best corrects the dangling modifier: "Running through the park, the trees looked beautiful." → Running through the park, she noticed the trees looked beautiful.
19. 9⁄18 is equivalent to which fraction? → 1⁄2
20. A student writes: "In today's society, many people use technology on a daily basis." What is wrong with this sentence? → It uses several redundant and clichéd phrases that add no meaning
21. Select the correct verb tense: "By the time we arrived, the show ____ already begun." → had
22. Which of the following sentences uses punctuation correctly? → The professor asked, "Will you be ready for the test on Friday?"
23. If 3t - 7 = 5t, then 6t= → -21
24. An author writes, "The old house wore its peeling paint like a tattered coat." This figurative language is best classified as a: → Simile
25. Solve for x as follows: 3(x+1) = 5(x−2)+7 → 3
26. A text's purpose is to persuade readers to recycle. Which sentence is most likely the author's thesis? → Every household should recycle to protect future resources
27. Which revision best corrects the comma splice: "The exam was difficult, many students still passed"? → The exam was difficult, but many students still passed.
28. Simplify: (2x^3)(4x^2). → 8x^5
29. Two authors disagree about a tax policy. To evaluate which argument is stronger, a reader should primarily examine each author's: → Evidence and reasoning
30. Which value of x satisfies |2x - 4| = 10? → x = 7 or x = -3