OSSLT
Ontario Secondary School
Literacy Test
Information
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Thursday, March 27th - ALL
MORNING
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You will be writing the test in East
Wing classrooms, unless you
have an IEP and have been
provided with an alternate setting.
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Make sure that you check which
room YOU will be writing in.
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Make sure that you arrive at
school in plenty of time to get to
your locker and to your assigned
room by 8:20.
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Passing the OSSLT or OLC4O
is a graduation requirement to
get your diploma.
Cont’d
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You need to bring a black or blue
pen (no colours). You can use
pencil, but pen is recommended.
(You may also use a highlighter on
the test itself).
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You will be writing two booklets,
each taking 75 minutes. You will be
given a 15 minute break in between
the booklets. (Snacks will be
provided on the break.)
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You will NOT be able to have
any electronics (cell phone, IPod
etc.) with you, so leave them at
home or in your locker.
You must stay for the entire
time, even if you are finished.
IF YOU ARE AWAY ON THE
DAY OF THE TEST, YOU WILL
HAVE TO WRITE IT NEXT
YEAR. (Don’t be away if you
can at all help it!)
Test Overview
EQAO Scoring
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Students are successful or
unsuccessful
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Scoring occurs on a range up to 400
points
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Students must achieve a score of 300
points (75%) to pass
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Most AHS students who are
unsuccessful are within 5-20 points!
Reading
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Reading
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Direct
Indirect
Personal Connections
Blue Jacket Example
Types
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Information
Graphic
Narrative
BEFORE Reading
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look at the title, headings, captions and
pictures
think about what you already know about
the topic
think about what experiences you have
had with the topic
read the questions FIRST
talk to yourself (in your head! - “O.K. it’s
asking WHY people like cats” etc.)
picture things in your head – imagine you
are watching a movie
DURING Reading
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keep talking to yourself
keep picturing what is going on as
you are reading – visualize
keep asking yourself questions –
stay with it!!
use your pen or pencil or a
highlighter to pick out some key
words or things you remember from
the questions you read ahead
AFTER Reading
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go back to the questions
eliminate the “wrong” multiple
choice answers
don’t get frustrated if you have
to go back and look – this is
expected
scan the piece and use your
underlined or highlighted words
Writing
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News Report
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Write about the headline and picture
Make it up
Include the 5Ws + H
Write using the 3rd person (no “I
think”)
Writing Cont’d
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Series of Paragraphs Expressing
an Opinion
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Take a position on the question and
clearly state it – no sitting on the
fence!
Include a blank link between
paragraphs
Minimum 3 paragraph, aim for 4-5
Short Answers

Have 1 main idea with support
details
Writing Cont’d
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Fill in the space provided
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Take a moment to plan out your
writing (this is not evaluated)
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Answer the questions that are
asked
More Tips
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Do not leave anything blank; you do
not lose marks for guessing
Use your time; if you finish early
check your work and correct any
grammar or spelling errors
Colour in the multiple choice circle
completely; put an X through it and
colour in a different box if you
change your answer
Looking Behind the Curtain
Actual OSSLT pieces, their scores
and the rubrics used to evaluate
Want More Help?
1. Google ‘OSSLT Resources’ and
click on the first link
2. Complete an online OSSLT
practice test at
www.readingahead.com/practicetest
2
3. Go to EQAO.com and look under
OSSLT Student Resources
4. Play Read! Write! Rock! at
readwriterock.com
GOOD LUCK!