TSA CBT English Test: Free Practice Guide and Sample Questions

The TSA Writing Skills Assessment is part of the TSA Computer Based Test (CBT) and consists of 50-60 multiple-choice questions with a strict time limit.

It assesses your skill level in English by looking at three categories: Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, and Written Communication.

To learn more about the other section of the TSA exam, visit our TSA X-Ray test page. It includes X-Ray screening sample questions and practice tips.

A Reading Comprehension test is used to determine what level of comprehension you possess.

In the Reading Comprehension section, you will be tested on your speed-reading abilities, your ability to identify and pay attention to small details, as well as your overall knowledge of the English language.

There is a short paragraph at the beginning of each question, accompanied by a list of multiple-choice questions.

The main challenge is to understand what you read fast enough to complete each question within 90 seconds.

Here is an example of a reading comprehension question:

For similar TSA CBT English questions, check out our free TSA practice test.

Here are some Reading Comprehension tips that will help you solve the test quickly and successfully.

• It’s not a general knowledge question: Answer the questions based solely on the information presented to you.
• Speed things up: Make it a habit to read the information presented to you at a speed that is 50% faster than your current reading speed without hindering your comprehension of the information.
• Choose the easiest questions first: For example, a question asking what a word means in the given context or a question asking how two statements are related.
• Read the questions before reading the passage: This can help save time going back and forth to the passage each time you need to answer a question, and will allow you to spend more time reading the passage slowly and carefully.

The Vocabulary test examines your knowledge of the English language. These questions include synonyms, Antonyms, and Spelling questions.

If you want to succeed in this section, familiarize yourself with common Synonyms, Antonyms, Homophones, and incorrectly spelled words.

Here is an example of a TSA Vocabulary question:

For more TSA Vocabulary sample questions, see our free TSA practice assessment.

Here are a few tips to improve your level of English and add new words to your existing vocabulary:

• Read more: The more you read the more knowledgeable you’ll be in the English language.
• Identify the context of every new word: Finding the context of a new word is the most effective way to memorize it.
• Get to know synonyms and antonyms: Knowing a word's synonyms and antonyms can make it easier to remember.
• Organize words by classifying them: For example, the classification may be based on the degree, such as large, tremendous, massive, etc.
• Picturing can also be used to learn difficult words by associating them with an image in your mind.
• Learn the most common words: These could be words related to your profession and words that are most commonly used in the English language.

The written communication test is part of the overall TSA screener English test and is intended to determine how well you can spot errors in sentences and phrases.

You will be given a sentence or phrase on each question, and you will have to determine whether the sentence contains any errors.

The types of errors are:

A. Grammar

B. Spelling

C. Punctuation and capitalization

D. No error

Here is an example of a TSA written communication sample question:

For more TSA Written Communication sample questions, check out our free TSA practice exam.

If you want to become good at spotting grammatical errors, you should be familiar with the various grammatical terms in the English language.

Here are a few examples of important grammatical terms:

Clause – A construction consisting of a subject and a verb forming part of a sentence or a whole sentence. A sentence may include multiple clauses several clauses.

Examples:

One clause: John bought a scooter.
Two Clauses: (1) John bought a scooter (2) because his car broke down.

Conjunction – one word or more used to connect two words, phrases, or
clauses which are grammatically equal. In the last case, it is used with a
comma before it.

Examples:
My foot and hand hurt.
My foot hurts, and my head aches.

Gerund – an unconjugated verb form. Created by adding “-ing” to the base
form of the verb. A gerund can be used as a noun replacement or as a verb.

Examples:
Noun replacement: Walking is a very good form of exercise. My favorite exercise is walking.
Verb: She is walking to the park right now.

After passing the TSA test, you’ll be invited for the TSA Airport Assessment as well as for other evaluations. Learn more about what’s coming next and how to get ready in our complete TSA Hiring Process guide.