The Ontario
Secondary
School Literacy
Test
Information Session
COMMON
QUESTIONS
What is the OSSLT?

The grade 10 Literacy Test is a
provincial test of the reading and
writing skills students have
acquired by the end of grade
nine.

It is based on The Ontario
Curriculum across all subject
areas up to the end of Grade 9.
Do you have to write the
OSSLT?

YES, if you entered secondary
school any time after 2000

YES, if you are in grade 10 this
year

YES, if you are intending to
graduate with an OSSD
Does the OSSLT count
towards course marks?

NO. Successful completion of
the OSSLT is one of the 32
requirements for the OSSD.

The test will not count toward
your course marks.
Will Universities and Colleges
see my OSSLT results?

Your secondary school
transcript will indicate that you
have completed the OSSLT as
one of the 32 requirements for
the OSSD.
Is the OSSLT difficult to pass?
The OSSLT is based on the
reading and writing skills that
you have learned up until the
end of Grade 9.
The test is out of 400; you need
a score of 300 or more to pass.
If I do not succeed, can I take
the OSSLT again?
YES. If you do not succeed, you can
try the OSSLT again next year.
Or, you are eligible to take the
Ontario Secondary School Literacy
Course in summer school or next
year.
What happens?
9:00-10:20 Test Instructions and
Completion of first test booklet
(reading and writing)
10:20-10:30-Break
(snack will be provided)
10:30-11:45-Completion of second test
booklet (reading and writing) and
student questionnaire
Where do you write?

Students will be writing in the
cafeteria, library, and room 207

Check for your name on the lists
outside the main office

If you DO NOT SEE your name,
find me in 207 asap
SOME
DETAILS…
OSSLT April 11, 2013



The test will be
one morning long
– broken up into
two 75 minute
sessions.
Each student will
complete two test
booklets.
Each student will
receive ONE
Literacy Result.


Everything you
write is considered
part of your writing
performance.
When you write
answers for
reading tasks you
are marked for
both your reading
and writing ability.
Points to Remember…



Do NOT write point form
answers.
Answer all questions in
complete sentences.
Remember to use correct
spelling, grammar and
punctuation (to the best of your
ability).
It is a guarantee that the literacy
test will have the following:








Reading:
Informational
Narrative
Graphic
Dialogue
News Report
31 multiple choice
4 open response
questions





Writing:
News Report
Series of
Paragraphs
supporting an
opinion
2 Short writing
tasks
8 Multiple Choice
The Reading Selections
Specific Reading Skills are Assessed:



Understanding directly stated
ideas and information (literal
meaning)
Understanding indirectly stated
ideas and information
(inferences)
Making connections between
the passages and personal
knowledge and experience
(interpretation)
Examples:

Directly Stated
Information:

Indirectly stated
information:

What did Sam
do after he left
the radio
station?
The answer can
be found in the
text.

Why did Sam
leave the radio
station before the
end of his shift?
You must use your
own knowledge
and the
information in the
text to answer.


Examples:

Making Connections:

Describe a time when you had
to make a difficult decision.
Compare your experience to
Sam’s using specific examples
from the text.
NOTE: Many students provide
an answer; however, they do not
often use the necessary
examples.

Multiple Choice

Multiple Choice often seems
easy and quick; however, these
questions are quite challenging
and require careful thought.

Multiple Choice “points” add up,
so it is good to practice before
the test.
Example:
•
A)
B)
C)
D)
What is Adam Scott?
A high school
A football team
A local organization
The name of a high
school in Peterborough
• More than one correct
answer will be
presented
• It is important for each
student to take the time
to find the most correct
answer
• D) The name of a high
school in Peterborough
The Writing Tasks

Long Writing
Tasks:


News Report
(1 page)
Series of
Paragraphs
Expressing an
Opinion (2 pages)



Short Writing
Tasks
(six lines each –
paragraph skills)


Multiple Choice
Questions:
Organization of
Ideas
Sentence and
Paragraph
Structure
Language
Conventions (use
of capitalizations
and punctuation)
Rough Work:

PLAN out your writing.

Many students skip this stage
and it shows in their work.

Shorter, well-organized writing
responses are better than long,
disorganized ones.
Specific Skills Assessed…



Focus on a main
idea (the main
topic)
Provide supporting
details (develop
the topic)
Organize and link
ideas (sort them
and sequence
them into a logical
order)


Use appropriate
tone (think of
the stated
audience)
Correct:
grammar
spelling
punctuation
A Helpful Hint:


Read instructions!
Many students do not read the
instructions.
Example:

Write a Series of Paragraphs
Expressing an Opinion (a minimum
of three)…
Preparation Strategies:

Getting Ready
Guide

This guide
contains tips
and information
to help students
prepare for the
OSSLT.
Resources:

Planning and
Preparation
Guide

This guide
shows sample
questions from
the OSSLT.
Resources:

Example Test
Booklets

These booklets
look like the test
and give you an
idea of the amount
of work you will be
asked to do in the
hour and fifteen
minute session.
The Website…




www.eqao.com
Check out the website to practice.
Print out a practice test and try it at
home.
Make use of the tips and strategies
listed in the Getting Ready Guide.
VERY
IMPORTANT
Be on Time!
If you are less than an hour
late:



Your parents/guardians will be called
Instructions are not repeated
You will write the test in the office
If you are more than an hour
late:
 You will need to meet with the
Principal immediately
BRING:




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Blue or black pens
Highlighter
Pre-sharpened pencils
Erasers
Book or magazine to read
DON’T BRING:

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

Gym bags
Backpacks
Lunch bags
ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES
(cell phones, ipods, etc. will be
confiscated; your test may be in
jeopardy)
REMEMBER:
LUNCH HOUR LITERACY TEST
SUPPORT
Wednesdays
Room 207
MORE QUESTIONS?