Preparing for the OSSLT – Ontario Secondary School Literacy TestTest Date: March 26
2015
Today’s Goals
We Want To Make Sure You
Know…
What the OSSLT is When the OSSLT is Where the OSSLT is Why the OSSLT is
important Items to bring What happens after you
write Tips for success
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
Break 15 minutes
Booklet 2(Reading and
Writing)75 minutes
Questionnaire(Booklet 2)
10 minutes
2. When is the OSSLT?
OThis Thursday March 26th, 2015
OArrive by 8:10am (Test @ 8:30)
OOnly students writing the test attend school this day
Test Day Schedule8:25 am Students proceed to test rooms
8:30 amStudents admitted to test rooms +
instructions are read
8:35 – 9:50 am Booklet 1 of the OSSLT
9:50 - 10:05 am Break (light refreshments provided)
10:05 – 11:20 am
Booklet 2 of the OSSLT
11:20 – 11:30 am Time for questionnaire
11:30 am Dismissal (added time for
accommodations)
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?
OBlue or Black PenOPencilsOHighlighter OBottled Water
Do NOT Bring: Bags or PEDs to room
After You Write…
• Marked at a central location
• Results will be released in June 2015 - each student will receive EQAO’s individual student report
• Does not count towards a grade in any course
• If unsuccessful, there is an opportunity to write in 2016 OR take the OLC Course
Some 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)
READINGTASKS
WRITINGTASKS
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 for all sections
Read each question carefully and be sure to answer precisely what it is asking of you (e.g. look for key test words)
Use “Rough Notes” space to plan answers (this is 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 TipsORead the questions for the reading
first
OSkim the selection once over
OUnderline or highlight important information and ideas while you read
OAfter 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 conclusionQuestions 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:
OReadingsODiagrams/InfographicsOGrammar
Multiple Choice Read the question carefully
Look for clarifying words that help support the best answer (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:
OShort Answers Based on Readings
OShort 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:
OPictureOHeadline
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
OWho?OWhat?OWhere?OWhen?OWhy?OHow?
Example
OWho?OWhat?OWhere?OWhen?OWhy?OHow?
# 4 – Series of Paragraphs
There will be a 3-5 paragraph essay (aka series of paragraphs) that will ask you to write about…
OYour 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 locationO 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