STUDENT INFORMATION

SESSION

Literacy Test

OSSLT

MARCH 2015

OSSD Requirements

To earn an Ontario Secondary School

Diploma (OSSD), you must complete:

30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 elective)

40 community involvement hours

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

(OSSLT)

Who writes the OSSLT this year?

Students who…

Started grade 9 in 2013-2014 (last year) Came to Ontario from another province or

country and entered grade 10, 11 or 12 this year or after March 27 last year

Tried the test in the past but were unsuccessful Were absent or deferred in the past and are

working towards completing the high school diploma

GENERAL TEST INSTRUCTIONS

Date and Time

Thursday March 26th, 2015

In school @ 8:10 a.m.

In your assigned classroom @ 8:20

a.m.

Starting at 8:30 a.m.

sharp

Room Location

You have received an information letter with a

room number on it – this is where you will be

writing your test

Record this number in a safe place

Room numbers will NOT be posted

The day of the test, be in your seat by 8:20 a.m.

What happens if you are late?

If you arrive late, go to the Guidance Office

from where you will be escorted to your

room to write the test

You will not get any extra time

The instructions will not be repeated

What happens if you are late MORE THAN 30

minutes?

Your chances of being successful will be

jeopardized and you may have to write the

entire test again next year

Don’t be late! It will affect your chances of

being successful.

Absent?

If you are absent for any reason (including

medical emergencies), your score will be

listed as “UNSUCCESSFUL”

You will have to write the test again next

year

Student materials

Bring

HB Pencils Pens (blue/black) a highlighter

Do NOT Bring

Tablets/laptops cell phones any other electronic

devices notes, notebooks white out backpack

Format of the Test

2 booklets (Booklet 1 Questions & Answers; Booklet 2 Questions & Answers) – 75 minutes each booklet

10 minutes for instructions before each booklet

15 minute break between booklets – snacks provided

In each booklet: reading selections, writing tasks and questions

Accommodations

For students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or are English Language Learners:

Extra time (up to double time) Accommodations as listed on the IEP (i.e.

use of a computer, quiet space)

Once you are in the Test Room Teacher will direct you to your seat

Your seat will remain the same for Booklets 1 & 2 Wait for instructions: do not open the booklet

until told

Only open Booklet 1 (Questions and Answers) and place Booklet 2 facing down on the corner of your desk

Read instructions on the inside of each booklet

and follow these carefully

Teacher’s Role During the Test

Teachers cannot…

explain, define, or provide examples

answer questions related to the test

General Instructions

Listen to the teacher’s oral instructions at the beginning of each booklet

Work on your own

Write clearly

Follow all the instructions in the booklet

General Instructions

Manage your time Complete all tasks! Don’t leave anything

blank

Only use the space provided on the Answer Booklet

Use rough notes space

General Instructions

EQAO will report offensive comments

to the Principal

Your chance of success will be

jeopardized; you may not be

successful

You finished early?

Check your answers DO NOT DISTURB YOUR CLASSMATES!

You will not be allowed to use your

electronic devices

You will not be allowed to leave early

Results

Successful/Unsuccessful mid-June, you will receive a letter from

EQAO with your results if unsuccessful, you will meet with Mr.

McKillop to determine your next steps

READING TASKS

Reading skills that you will show:

Understand directly (explicit) stated ideas

and information

Understand indirectly (implicit) stated ideas

and information

Make connections between what you read

and your own knowledge and experience

Types of reading passages that may

be on the test:

1. Information Paragraph: information & ideas on a topic

2. News Report: information in a news story 3. Dialogue: a conversation 4. Real-life Narrative: a description of a time in a

person’s life 5. Graphic Text: ideas presented in graphics

such as schedules, diagrams, photos, drawings, sketches, patterns, timetables, maps, charts or tables

Types of questions in the reading

section:

a. Multiple Choice: read and then select the best or most correct answer from a list of four options. Use the Answer Booklet.

b. Open-response: read information paragraph, news report or dialogue and then answer 1- 2 questions based on the reading selection. Use the Answer Booklet.

Six blank lines are provided. Use them all, but don’t write outside the lines.

Be sure to make connections between the text

and your own experience

WRITING TASKS

Writing skills that you will show:

Developing a main idea with enough

supporting details

Organizing information and ideas in a

coherent way

Using writing conventions (spelling,

grammar, punctuation) to communicate

clearly

Types of writing questions: 1a. Long writing tasks: ◦ NEWS REPORT: using a picture & headline link the headline & photograph to an event use the one lined page provided to write your

answer in the Answer Booklet write about an event that happened in the past

to inform readers of a newspaper include information about who, what, where,

when, why and how (you can make up facts to make your story interesting) Keep in mind your audience: an adult reader of

a newspaper

News Report Format

Small paragraphs

Two to three quotes

Specific details

Types of writing questions:

1b. Long writing tasks:

SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS: expressing an

opinion

•topic will be current and familiar

•minimum of 3 paragraphs: intro, body and

conclusion

•two lined pages to write your answer in the

Answer Booklet

•support opinion: reasons, examples and facts

•audience: an adult interested in your opinion

Types of writing questions:

2. Short writing tasks: write in complete sentences

– use the number of lines provided for each

answer. Use the Answer Booklet and be

specific.

3. Multiple-choice questions: questions checking

your understanding of the three writing skills –

developing a main idea, organizing information

and using writing conventions to communicate

clearly. Record answers in the Answer Booklet.

TEST TAKING TIPS

To answer MULTIPLE CHOICE

questions:

Answer on Answer Booklet

Do not leave anything blank – guess if you

do not know the answer

To change your answer, erase incorrect

answer and fill in the circle of your new

answer

Make correct answer darker

To answer WRITTEN questions:

Use blue or black ink or pencil and write in the Answer Booklet on the lines provided

Number of lines = expected length of answer

Use rough notes space to plan answers, but write your response on the lined space

To change your answer, cross out the incorrect part and write the new answer neatly

DO NOT USE LIQUID PAPER / WHITE OUT

FOR FINAL REVIEW

Go to Markville’s website and click on the link on the front page to review this power point presentation

http://markville.ss.yrdsb.ca/

Literacy Practice Booklets and Practice Test www.eqao.com

◦ Go to: “English” ◦ Go to: “Student Resources” ◦ Go to: “Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test” ◦ Go to: “Getting Ready Guide”

Getting Ready Guide

Questions?

We all need a helping hand.

Good luck!

Be confident! The LIT BLITZ activities

prepared you.

Get a good night sleep

Eat breakfast

We know you can do this!