March 28th, 2025

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) will be administered at JHSS on Wednesday, April 9th and Thursday, April 10th, 2025.  The test will be written by all Grade 10 students as well as any Grade 11 or 12 students who were previously eligible but have not yet written the test or have not yet been successful. Students must successfully complete this literacy requirement as a component of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students in the Fast Forward program do not write the OSSLT.

What is the OSSLT?

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test is a single event that allows a student to pass their literacy requirement.  The test consists of two parts:

  • Part 1 focuses on reading, and has three reading passages. Students complete a series of multiple-choice questions and open-response questions about the content they have read. 
  • Part  2 focuses on reading comprehension, and writing skills.  Students read 2 passages and complete a series of multiple-choice questions. Students will also write a series of paragraphs supporting their opinion on a topic that they have read about as part of the test. 

How will the test be administered?

The test is administered online, in class. Students MUST use their board-provided Chromebooks to write the OSSLT. The test has many features to support students including: 

  • A help menu  
  • A text-speech function that reads the text on the screen out loud  
  • Zoom in and zoom out  
  • A line reader that helps students focus on one line of text at a time 
  • A high-contrast view
  • Annotation tools 
  • A tool for rough notes

All students will also have access to virtual breathing exercises, reminders of test-taking strategies and other minds-on activities to help them as they take the modernized OSSLT.

When and where will my student write the OSSLT?

Students will complete the OSSLT on Wednesday, April 9th (Session 1) and Thursday, April 10th (Session 2). The rooms in which students will be writing the test will be shared closer to the test date.

What has happened at JHSS to help prepare my student for the OSSLT?

Targeted Prep Sessions

  • Students took part in targeted prep sessions related to different portions of the test throughout March

Practice Test

  • Students will be invited to complete a practice test supported by staff on the morning of Thursday, April 3rd
  • The practice test can also be found online 

How can I help my student prepare for the OSSLT?

The Day of the Test

  • Remind your student to be on time (each session will begin promptly at 8:10 am)
  • Remind your student to eat before the test
  • Ensure your student has a working and fully charged WRDSB Chromebook
  • Encourage your student to do their best

Please see below for links to additional information and resources to help students prepare for the test.  If you have any questions, please reach out to VP Tim Sargeant at tim_sargeant@wrdsb.ca.

JHSS Spring 2025 OSSLT Information (Slide Deck)  – Everything You Need to Know About The OSSLT

  • Overview of logistics and test details

Additional Resources

Google Classroom 

  • Shared materials from targeted prep sessions

Online OSSLT Practice Test

  • Available through the EQAO website to be completed at any time
  • This is the same Practice test that will be completed during A block on Thursday, April 3rd.

Brightspace OSSLT Prep Course

  • All students have access to these preparation materials through Brightspace
  • Students must be logged into their WRDSB account

Slide Deck Overviews of Various Portions of Test:

Wellness Links for Test Anxiety

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