Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) – 2024-2025 school year

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the EQAO will host the online OSSLT during the following two windows:

  • FALL – November 5, 2024, to December 3, 2024, with individual student results reported by the end of January 2025.
  • SPRING – March 18, 2025, to April 15, 2025, with individual student results reported by the end of June 2025.

Questions? – please visit us in room 221 – the Student Success Room

The OSSLT @ St. Mary’s HS for the 2024-2025 school year

  • FALL – grade 11 and 12 students:  will write in small groups, in a desktop computer lab, periods 1, 2 & 3
  • FALL – most grade 10 students: will write with their homeroom classmates, in a desktop computer lab, periods 1, 2 & 3
  • FALL – some grade 10 students: will write in small groups, in a desktop computer lab, periods 1, 2 & 3
  • All students expected to write the OSSLT in the Fall will receive a letter in their homeroom class on (late in October)
    These letters will include the student’s OSSLT writing date and location (room #) and accommodations for students with an IEP.
  • SPRING – grade 10, grade 11, and grade 12 students who have not yet attempted the OSSLT or who have not yet been successful
  • All students expected to write the OSSLT in the Spring will receive a letter in their homeroom class on (early in March)
    These letters will include the student’s OSSLT writing date and location (room #) and accommodations for students with an IEP.
  • Students with questions are encouraged to come to Room 221 at lunch, before school, after school, during a spare period, or between classes.

Who Writes the OSSLT / Who is Deferred?

  • Students in Grades 10 and 11, and non-graduating Grade 12 students, working toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) will write the OSSLT.
  • Students who have an IEP may write the test with the accommodations (e.g. extra time, assistive technology, breaks, prompts) listed in their IEP.
  • Students not working towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) are exempt from writing the test.
  • Framework Document (from the EQAO) for the OSSLTclick here

Preparing / Practicing for the OSSLT – Important Links

  • Practice (online OSSLT) Test – from the EQAO – click here
    or scan the QR code below:

  • Format of the Testclick here
    ***note: the format has changed from the 2022-2023 academic year – there are still 2 sessions, but each session now has 4 sections (not 3)***
  • Tips for completing the OSSLTclick here
  • Reading & Writing strategies, Multiple Select & Multiple Choice strategies, Things to Bring on test day, Things to Know for test day – click here
  • Tips: Reading Newspaper Articles, Information Paragraphs, and Real Life Narrativesclick here
  • Tips: Reading Dialogues, Answering Multiple Selection questions, Writing the Opinion Essayclick here
  • Info & built-in Tools for completing OSSLT – click here
  • How to find my OEN (Ontario Education Number) – needed to complete the OSSLT – click here

After School Help – 2024-2025 academic year

  • start date:  Wed., October 16
  • schedule:  Mondays, Wednesdays  3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  • D2L for OSSLT prep – if you are scheduled to write the OSSLT in the Fall of 2024, you will be added to a D2L OSSLT prep class
    (please look for it in your D2L home page)
  • Room 221 (Student Success Room, computer lab, main floor, east end of building)
  • Tips, hints and strategies for the OSSLT.
  • Teachers – Mrs. K. Drummond, Mrs. C. Harrington

Schedule
***note:  exact times following 9:00 am may change

  • 9:00 – 9:05 – morning announcements, attendance, etc.
  • 9:05 – 9:15 – OSSLT Instructions and Login
  • 9:15 – 10:30 – Session A (extra time is allowed)
  • 10:30 – 10:45 – break
  • 10:45 – 12:00 – Session B (extra time is allowed)
  • 12:00 – 12:15 – Questionnaire Survey
  • 12:15 – go to period 4 and/or period 5 class(es)
  • note:  all students will have access to extra time if needed