Ontario Secondary School
Literacy Test (OSSLT)
Thursday,
March 27th
OSSLT
What is Literacy?
Literacy is the ability to read, view, design, speak,
and listen in a way that allows us to communicate
effectively and to make sense of the world.
Why is Literacy Important?
Literacy is vital to ensuring that you have the best
chance to succeed in school
and in everyday life.
Literacy allows us to make sense of a range of
written, visual, and spoken texts, including
books, newspapers, magazines, television,
signs, maps, conversations, and instructions.
OSSLT Graduation Requirement
All students must achieve a level 3 (provincial
benchmark) on the OSSLT in order to graduate
with a high-school diploma.
• If you are unsuccessful on either portion of the test,
you must re-write the WHOLE test next year.
• If you are unsuccessful twice, you must sign up for the
Literacy Course in Grade 12.
Test Procedure
• You MUST be here on the test date – there is
NO RETEST. If you miss the test, you will have
to write it NEXT YEAR.
• You MUST arrive on time. You will NOT be
given extra time if you are late – the test ends at
the same time for everyone!
• Bring a PEN and PENCIL. Do not bring
anything else. DO NOT bring your cellphone or
any other electronic device.
Test Procedure
– Booklet 1: 75 minutes. If you finish early, you may
read something provided by the teacher. You MAY
NOT leave.
– Break: 15 minutes.
– Booklet 2: 75 minutes. Same as above!
– You must do BOTH sections of the test!
OSSLT Tasks
Students must successfully complete:
• 5 Reading Comprehension tasks
and
• 5 Writing Composition tasks.
Reading Portion Tasks
Students will be asked to read 5 passages and
complete the following questions:
1. Multiple-choice questions about content and
predictions.
2. Short-answer writing tasks that ask
students to explain and summarize information.
Reading Tasks
The 5 Reading Selections will include:
 Information paragraph: presents ideas and
information on a topic.
 News report: presents information in the form of a
news story.
 Dialogue: presents a conversation between two or
more people
 Real-life narrative: an account of a significant time in
an individual's life.
 Graphic Text: presents ideas and information with the
help of graphic features (pictures, font, page setup,
etc.)
Writing Portion Tasks
1. Multiple-choice questions about the writing style of
the selected passage: grammar, punctuation, correct
word usage, and sentence structure.
2. Short Writing Tasks: questions from the
selected passage.
3. News Report: write a news report based on a
photograph.
4. Paragraphs: paragraphs responding to selected
reading passages. Provide specific support from the
passage!
Skills Needed for the
Writing Portion



Developing a main idea with sufficient
supporting details.
Organizing information and ideas in a coherent
manner.
Using conventions (spelling, grammar,
punctuation) in a manner that does not distract
from clear communication.
Key Words on the OSSLT
1. Explain
2. Summarize
3. Opinion
Difficulties on the OSSLT

Difficulties in reading to understand:



students are asked to summarize information in a
specific section of the booklet, but instead they
summarize the entire booklet.
students do not read closely for accurate
understanding of details – be aware that all of the
answers are IN THE TEXT unless you are asked for
your opinion.
students do not use context to interpret information
that is not directly stated.
Difficulties on the OSSLT


Difficulties in reading for information:

linking relevant information to the main idea

skimming, scanning and previewing texts

reading contextual cues
Difficulties in reading for style

Students have difficulty identifying grammar errors (e.g.
sentence fragments) and discussing the effect of sentence
structure, word choice, etc.
Difficulties on the OSSLT

Difficulties in writing

Using Standard Canadian English





Using capital letters
Providing evidence/support for ideas
Writing extended responses


Do not use slang, colloquial language, or “textspeak” – remember that
your audience is an educated adult!
Use precise wording – avoid stuff, thing, kinda, lol, cuz, I, etc.
develop your ideas and fill up the space provided!
Summarizing information (identifying main ideas)
Tips for Success on the OSSLT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Read questions carefully and link relevant
information to the main idea.
Answer all questions -- most “wrong” answers are
marked “wrong” because they are left blank!
Begin all sentences with a capital letter.
Write in complete sentences.
Use Standard Canadian English.
Use all of the space provided to answer questions –
the space provided is a cue for how developed your
answer should be!
Write legibly!
Tips for effective
OSSLT preparation


All Gr. 10 teachers will hold class discussions
about the test and the skills you will need to
have. Practice! Ask questions! Take it
seriously!
If you want extra help, attend the OSSLT help
sessions.
Good Luck!!