OSSLT

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

What is the OSSLT?

A provincial test of reading and writing skills

A diploma requirement for graduation from high school

When is the Literacy Test?

Thursday March 27, 2014 - Be here!!

The test begins promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Where is the test?

In classrooms throughout the school and the library

Check the lists posted in the Atrium for your name and test location

If you have a question or problem, see Ms. Quinton ASAP

Schedule/Structure 8:25 All students must be in their testing room

8:30 - 9:45 Booklet 1-75 minutes

9:45 – 10:00 Break -15 minutes

10:00 – 11:25 Booklet 2 - 75 minutes& Questionnaire – 10 minutes

11:30 Dismissed

Note: Special Education and ESL students are entitled to double time.

Break

Your break will take place on the same floor as you are writing the OSSLT.

Granola bars and juice will be provided. You will begin writing Booklet 2 promptly after

15 minutes. Don't be late. If you are writing in an ESL or Special

Education room, you may bring your own lunch, if you wish. Your break will take place between Booklet One and Two.

Punctuality It is very important

that you arrive on time as teachers will be reading a script with special instructions. They will only give the instructions once.

If you arrive late…

You will be allowed to write

Instructions will not be repeated

No extra time will be given

If you arrive after 10:00...

You will be allowed to write only the second test booklet of the day

This will greatly reduce your chances of passing!

What to Bring

Blue, black pens or HB pencils

An eraser

A highlighter

Your teacher is not allowed to provide any assistance to you

Cannot re-word questions

Cannot review your work or make suggestions

Cannot inform you whether you are on the right track or not

Reading Selections

Informational paragraph (225-250 words)

News report (225-250 words)

Real life narrative: an account of a significant time in an individual's life

(about 600 words)

Dialogue: conversation between two or more people (225-250 words)

Reading Selections Graphic (fewer than150 words):

includes diagrams, photographs, drawings, patterns, schedules, maps, charts or tables

Reading SelectionsTypes of Questions

Multiple Choice-four options

Open Response (about 6 lines of writing each) related to the ideas and information presented in the information paragraph, news report or dialogue reading

Writing Tasks

Long Writing Tasks News report (one page) Series of paragraphs expressing an

opinion (two pages)

Short Writing Tasks (six lines each)

Writing Tasks

Multiple Choice Questions Organization of ideas Main idea Sentence and paragraph structure Language conventions

Test Booklets

All written answers must be recorded in the test booklets in blue or black pen or pencil.

Read all questions and do only what is asked. For example, if you are asked to

write ONE paragraph, be sure that you write only ONE .

Test Booklets

Use the rough notes space to jot ideas or plan your response, but write your response in the lined space…otherwise it will not be marked.

Use the space provided for the answers – do not write more than is required. Do not write less.

Using the Test Booklet for Writing Tasks

Write the answers neatly. If the marker cannot read your work, they cannot reward you for your efforts.

If you write offensive material, your work may not be marked and the Principal will be notified.

Using the Test Booklet for Writing Tasks

Write in full sentences and watch for spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Instructions for reading and writing tasks are included in each booklet.

Student Answer Sheet-Multiple Choice Questions

All multiple choice questions MUST be answered on the Student Answer Sheet, NOT IN THE TEST BOOKLETS.

Cheating

EQAO investigates tests with similar results If you are caught cheating your test will not

count No cell phones/electronic devices at all!!! You will need to see an administrator You will need to do the test again next year

Don’t worry…

Last year 95% of students were successful

Based on the reading and writing skills across all subject areas up to the end of grade 9

You’ve been coached Practice Lessons-News Report-Informational Text and Summary-Graphical Text and Language Conventions-Opinion Writing Lunch Literacy Help

Come to lunch sessions for helpfrom March 18-26th between 11:00and 12:00 in room 110.

Counting On You

Resources and More Practice

See www.eqao.com for The Getting Ready Guide and Sample Tests

Read!

More resources and practice!

This PowerPoint will be posted to our school website

The link to www.eqao.com for The Getting Ready Guide and Sample Tests will be live

Please share this information with your parents

Review your work – check for spelling, grammar and punctuation. Check that you have answered all questions correctly, fully and to the best of your ability

Sit quietly and wait for others to finish

If you finish early…

After the Test In a few months, you will receive an

Individual Report indicating whether or not you have passed the test

Not successful- you will have the opportunity to write the test again next year

Unsuccessful again - you may fulfill the OSSLT literacy requirement by successfully completing the OLC in grade 12

Do your very best…and good luck!