OSSLT Prep

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, or OSSLT, is a standardized, province-wide literacy test administered to Ontario students in Grade 10 by EQAO. It tests basic literacy covered in Grades 7 to 9, therefore it should be an easy test. It is generally taken in Grade 10, though it may be retaken in later years if failed. It is a high school graduation requirement along with the mandatory 30 course credits and 40 volunteer hours minimum. This is a minimum competency test, meaning it doesn't matter what mark you get, so long as you pass: There are only two results: successful, or unsuccessful. However, you are sent your exact results in June.

The test is generally taken in the fall (October to December) or in spring (March to May). Exact dates and times are variable to change, and will differ between schools, and even between classes.

Your homeroom teacher will send you an email with the date, time, and location of the test. Usually it would be done in a computer lab or library.

Each student's test contains slight variations in the questions so to safeguard against cheating.

The OSSLT has been greatly shortened compared to previous years. It is unclear whether this is a temporary change. In addition, as of 2022, the tests will be taken online, in a supervised area, during the designated class period. You will be asked to log in with your OEN number and a class-specific access code, both of which will be provided by your test supervisor/teacher.

Reading Comprehension (read and respond to following):

• news articles

• charts and graphs

• informational graphic texts

• dialogues and interviews

• short non-fiction articles

Writing Section:

• Multiple choice grammar and writing conventions

• Short paragraph responses

• Series of paragraphs (essay responses)

The OSSLT is divided into two parts: Part A: Reading Comprehension, and Part B: Writing. Each of these parts is subdivided into three parts. Part A and Part B generally tend to take 60 minutes each, for a cumulative 2hr test time. You are also presented with a short questionnaire (takes about 5-10min) after the test.

Possible Questions:

• What is the author's tone in __ line or ___ paragraph

• In __ line or __ paragraph, what... (You will be asked to recall a specific concept/detail from a line or paragraph)

• What does (this word) mean in the context of the sentence (You will be asked to select a relevant synonym)

• Organize events (usu 3 or 4) in chronological order

• Find the main idea and two supporting details (Four options, select and move into appropriate box)

• Write a 100 word paragraph answering a question related to the passage (Included as part of a section) (Every written question gets a 10 word extra -grace limit)

(This list just includes some of the possible types of the questions, not all)

Possible Questions:

• Basic grammar tests:

  • Which of the following sentences are grammatically correct/incorrect

  • How do you change the given sentence into a grammatically correct one

• Written Response-Opinion Essay: (Write a 500 word essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion on a given topic.) (Every written question gets a 10 word extra -grace limit)

  • Tip: Include specific details, facts and/or statistics in your body paragraphs if possible

(This list just includes some of the possible types of the questions, not all)

This section is technically optional. It asks you certain questions after the test, about your preferences and circumstances regarding reading and writing, and certain other questions.

This allows the EQAO test makers to collect more data.

Here are some useful tips for the OSSLT. It's a GIF file, so keep watching.