What  is  the  OSSLT?  Source:  http://www.eqao.com/pdf_e/11/Cib_Xe_0611_web.pdf  

The  Basics  

Ê The  OSSLT  is  a  provincial  test  of  the  literacy  (reading  and  writing)  skills  students  have  acquired  by  Grade  10.  It  is  based  on  the  literacy  expectations  defined  by  The  Ontario  Curriculum  across  all  subject  areas  to  the  end  of  Grade9,  as  illustrated  in  the  EQAO  document  OSSLT  Curriculum  Connections  (2011).  

Ê The  test  is  usually  in  late  March  or  early  April.  

Ê It  is  a  graduation  requirement!  If  you  do  not  pass  the  test,  you  will  have  an  opportunity  to  take  it  next  year.    If  you  are  unsuccessful  again,  you  will  take  the  Ontario  Secondary  School  Literacy  Course.  

More  Basics  

Ê  In  order  to  pass,  you  need  to  get  a  score  of  300  (or  earn  70%  of  the  available  points).  

Ê  Marks  are  not  deducted  for  incorrect  responses.    Therefore,  you  should  respond  to  every  question.  

Ê  It  is  made  up  of  two  13  page  books.    Unless  you  have  been  given  an  accommodation,  you  will  have  75  minutes  to  complete  each  one  

Ê  You  will  be  notified  about  whether  you  pass  or  not  in  the  summer.    Your  score  will  not  appear  on  your  transcript.    Rather,  it  will  just  indicate  whether  you  were  successful  or  not.  

What  does  the  OSSLT  Test?    

Ê  Reading  Skill  1:  understanding  explicitly  stated  information  and  ideas    

Ê  Reading  Skill  2:  understanding  implicitly  stated  information  and  ideas  (i.e.,  making  inferences)    

Ê  Reading  Skill  3:  making  connections  between  information  and  ideas  in  a  reading  selection  and  personal  knowledge  and  experience  (i.e.,  interpreting  reading  selections  by  integrating  the  information  and  ideas  in  a  reading  selection  with  personal  knowledge  and  experience)  

Writing  Skill  1:  developing  a  main  idea  with  sufficient  supporting  details    Writing  Skill  2:  organizing  information  and  ideas  in  a  coherent  manner      Writing  Skill  3:  using  conventions  (i.e.,  spelling,  grammar,  punctuation)  in  a  manner  that  does  not  distract  from  clear  communication  

What  is  on  the  Test?    

Any  questions?