Preparing for the

OSSLT –

Ontario Secondary

School Literacy Test

Test Date: March 31 2016

1. What is the OSSLT?

The OSSLT is a standardized, provincial test assessing reading and writing skills required to understand reading selections and to communicate through a variety of written forms as expected in the Ontario Curriculum across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Really, you’ve been preparing since Grade 7.

Test at a GlanceActivity Allotted Time

Booklet 1

(Reading and Writing)

75 minutes

8:30-9:45

Break 15 minutes

Booklet 2

(Reading and Writing)

75 minutes

10:00-11:15

Questionnaire(@ End of Booklet 2)

10 minutes

11:15-11:25

2. When is the OSSLT?

OThis Thursday March 31, 2016

OArrive by 8:10am (Test @ 8:30)

OOnly students writing the test attend school this day

3. Where is the OSSLT?

OHere at Applewood

Heights

OYour Room Location has

been posted outside the

main office

4. Why So Important?

OMandatory requirement for

successful completion of your

Ontario High School Diploma

5. What Should You Bring?

O Blue or Black Pen

O Pencil (HB lead pencil)

O Highlighter

O Bottled Water

Do NOT Bring:

Bags, PEDs, or whiteout

Accommodations

As outlined on the student’s IEP

accommodations are available and include:

O Additional (up to double) time

O Supervised, periodic breaks

O Verbatim reading of questions and prompts

O Scribing

O Use of computer

O Other

Test Components Include:O Informational texts that would be found in a Business,

History, Physical Education, Arts, or Social Sciences Class

(used to gain knowledge or facts)

O Narrative (dialogue) readings, such as would be found in

an English Class (like fictional piece)

O Graphical texts, such as would be found in a Science,

Math, Geography, or Technology Class (like charts, cycles,

graphs, maps, blueprints)

O Series of Paragraphs asking you to develop an opinion

O News Report asking you to develop details on an event

O Short Answer responses (to either a reading or about an

open topic)

READING

TASKS

WRITING

TASKS

Reading & Writing Target Skills

Target Reading Skills Target Writing Skills

• R1: Understanding explicit

stated information and ideas

• W1: Developing a main idea

with sufficient supporting

details

• R2: Understanding implicitly

stated information and ideas

• W2: Organizing information

and ideas in a coherent manner

• R3: Making connections

between information and ideas

in a reading selection and

personal experiences

• W3: Using conventions

(spelling, grammar,

punctuation) in a manner that

does not distract from clear

communication

Follow instructions exactly as given

Read each question carefully and answer precisely

what it is asking (e.g. look for “test words”:

explain, describe, give reasons why, list etc.)

Use “Rough Notes” space to plan answers (not

marked)

Start with the long answer sections and work your

way back to the multiple choice if short for time

General Tips for Success:

Write your final answers ONLY in the

space provided

Be sure to use most or all the lines

provided but DO NOT go beyond

Do not leave any questions blank; if

in doubt, guess

Proofread

Tips Cont’d

Reading Tips

O Read the questions for the reading first

O Skim the selection once over

O Underline or highlight important information and ideas while you read

O After reading, mentally summarize the main point(s); re-read 1st and last sentences

3 Styles of Reading Questions

1. Immediate

2. Inference

3. In Your

Opinion

Questions that can be answered quickly

from a direct part of the reading

Questions that challenge reader to look in

two or more places (including background

knowledge) for the answer and then make

an intelligent conclusion

Questions that require reader to use his or

her own background knowledge + the

reading to give a personal response

#1 - Multiple Choice

They will ask you multiple choice based on:

O Readings

O Diagrams/Infographics

O Grammar

Multiple Choice

Read the question carefully

Look for words trying to trap you (e.g. always, never, least, none, best, all, usually, most…)

Read through ALL the options before selecting one

Cross out any answers that are obviously wrong

If two answers seem correct, select the BEST option

# 2 - Short Answer

There will be 2 types of short answer

questions on the test:

O Short Answers Based

on Readings

O Short Answers Based

on Opinions

Short Answer

Fill up the lines provided

Do NOT write beyond the lines provided

1st sentence is the topic sentence that specifically answers the question (Hint: put part of the question in it)

Provide 1-2 details, supports, or examples (either from the reading or your own life if it is an opinion question)

# 3 – News Report

There will be 1 News Report piece. They will

provide you with the:

O Picture

O Headline

News Report

Paragraph 1: provide a brief overview of what has happened – be sure to include WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY & HOW

Paragraphs 2-3: give the reader more details –quotes from bystanders, other times this event has happened, how community is responding etc.

Paragraph 4: provide summary and include what might happen in the future or how reader can get involved or get more info

Example

O Who?

O What?

O Where?

O When?

O Why?

O How?

Example

O Who?

O What?

O Where?

O When?

O Why?

O How?

# 4 – Series of Paragraphs

There will be a 3-5 paragraph essay (aka

series of paragraphs) that will ask you to

write about…

O Your opinion on a

relevant topic

Examples

O Are cell phones necessary in teenagers’ lives?

O Is participation in extra curricular activities an important

part of high school life?

O Should Physical Education be compulsory every year in

high school?

O Are today’s famous people good role models for young

people?

Series of Paragraphs

Choose ONE side to support (either you agree or disagree, or are yes or no) This will be the thesis in the intro paragraph. You cannot be “maybe” or argue for both sides of the debate.

Come up with 2-3 supports for your opinion (with specific examples). Write these in the “Rough Notes”. These will form the basis of your body paragraphs.

Series of Paragraphs

Your first sentence should clearly answer the question.

E.g. Yes, I believe zoos should exist BECAUSE…

Indent new paragraphs so ideas are organized

obviously for your reader.

Use transition words like First, Next, Also, Last…

Series of Paragraphs

Wrap up your ideas with a short conclusion

paragraph that restates your main point and

restates the supports you mentioned.

Use ALL (or nearly all) the space provided, but

do NOT exceed it.

Final RemindersO Be on time (set an alarm)

O Eat a good breakfast

O Know your room location

O If late, report to the office –

no additional time provided

O Snack available during break

O You must go home at the

conclusion of the test

O No bringing PEDs or bags

Good Luck!

O If you’d like more practice opportunities with past test

booklets, check out:

http://www.eqao.com/students/secondary/10/10.aspx?

Lang=E&gr=10

O Please speak to Mrs. Peterman for additional

questions or for supporting items

Good Luck!