When students think of what happens in high school, they probably never consider taking a literacy test. They often think of the excitement of getting a driver's license, getting ready for university, or possibly even prom night.
However, passing the OSSLT remains one of the most critical assessments students will take: you cannot graduate high school without passing this test. But why is the OSSLT so important?
Let's discover everything you need about the OSSLT and find the best strategies and study tips to get the best score!
What is the OSSLT?
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, or OSSLT, has become a fixture in Ontarians' high school experience. The OSSLT test ensures students have acquired the basic literacy skills they would have learned in all curriculum areas from grade 7 to the end of grade 9.
But why literacy skills are so necessary? Literacy remains one of the most critical skills we acquire at school, and it refers to the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively. And, of course, you will need solid literacy skills to excel in college and university, when entering the workforce, and throughout your adult life.
What are literacy skills, and why are they so necessary?
Literacy skills refer to reading, writing, and communicating effectively. They are the foundation for all other academic knowledge and skills, opening the door to shared knowledge, understanding, communication, and critical thinking.
Preparing for the OSSLT is no small task. However, with our practical guides, you can learn more about the OSSLT test and how to prepare for the big day.
What is the purpose of the OSSLT?
The purpose of the OSSLT is to measure whether or not you are meeting the minimum standard of literacy across all subjects up to that point in your learning. It gives your teachers and parents a glimpse of your literacy skills and academic performance, identifying your strengths and weaknesses. However, there are many other reasons why Ontario's Ministry of Education has mandated high schoolers to take the test.
The OSSLT provides the Ministry of Education with a snapshot of Ontario high schoolers' performance in every cohort. With the data provided by the OSSLT, the education system can plan and execute learning strategies that address students' needs and detect any issues or concerns with instruction.
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What will the OSSLT look like?
The OSSLT has two components: reading and writing. It is taken over two sessions that take approximately one hour each. In the reading component, students interact with different texts and demonstrate their understanding of them through multiple select questions and open-response questions. The reading selections focus on three reading skills:
During the writing component, students will also respond to multiple select questions to demonstrate their ability to communicate ideas and information clearly and with coherence. The OSSLT will ask you to write an opinion essay, develop opinion paragraphs, and write short assignments. The writing component focuses on three writing skills:
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What are the best ways to get OSSLT practice?
Now that we understand the OSSLT test let's discuss some strategies to ensure you are as prepared as possible. Here are our top strategies for passing the OSSLT effortlessly:
1. Preview the OSSLT Test
Start your OSSLT preparation by taking some time to examine and preview the test carefully. Why will this help you? Any test, especially the OSSLT, can give learners test anxiety. When you know exactly what to expect on the test day, you will feel more confident going in. But what does the OSSLT Test look like?
However, you can easily preview the OSSLT test by searching for tests from previous years, so there are no surprises when the test day comes. Are you looking for extra help passing the OSSLT in Ontario? Find English courses in Toronto with Superprof to master compelling reading and writing strategies.
2. Practice Test Questions Regularly
Anticipated study can be one of the most important ways to prepare for the test. Designing an effective study plan is critical to maintaining peace of mind during the test. For example, you can set weekly study sessions following this strategy:
| DAY | FOCUS | TASK |
| MONDAY | Improve reading comprehension | Answer questions after reading a text about "Consequences Related to Climate Change." |
| TUESDAY | Practice writing short paragraphs | Write a short paragraph on "Your Favorite Hobby." |
| WEDNESDAY | Combine reading and writing activities | Choose a short article about "Social Media Pros and Cons," after reading, write a summary of the text in 3-4 sentences. |
| THURSDAY | Focus on complex reading materials. | Study the Canada's Constitution, particularly the "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms" section. |
| FRIDAY | Write an opinion essay or news report | Write a 3-5 paragraph essay where you express your opinion on "Should schools adopt a four-day school week?" |
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3. Study with OSSLT Practice Exams
As you probably have discovered, tons of tests from previous years are posted online. Use these OSSLT tests to practice writing answers, answering multiple-choice questions, and comparing them to the correct answers.
Doing readings and questions from previous years will help you work out strategies you can use when the test time comes. You can even find examples of answers that received a high or a lower score so you can compare your work to see how it measures up. You'll see the difference it makes in understanding how to answer the test effectively.
Plus, you can also find practice tests in workbooks on sites like Amazon or in bookstores like Chapters or Indigo. Workbooks are a great, portable option for study that can get you away from the screen and save you the trouble of printing documents. Set a goal for doing a few pages at a time, and you'll soon find yourself studying for the OSSLT regularly.
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4. Focus on Mental and Physical Health
Knowing you have a big test to prepare for is always a good time to focus on supporting your mental and physical health. When we are busy or stressed preparing for a big test on top of our regular routines, we should focus on three things:
Practice self-care by starting your OSSLT preparation early so you won't lose any sleep and having your study routine balanced with regular exercise.
If you are dealing with test anxiety, take time to do some deep breathing or meditation techniques, which can be a great practice to calm your nerves if you get anxious while writing the test. Also, discover extra support resources to prepare for the OSSLT and be ready to excel in the evaluation.
5. Become a Frequent Reader
Another way you can prepare yourself for the OSSLT is to become a frequent reader. The OSSLT is a literacy test that assesses the skills you have acquired over time, and your skills as a reader are a perfect example of skills that do not come overnight. If you aren't already a frequent reader, become one by making time to read books or texts regularly.
Skilled readers are more aware that a text must make sense to them, that they must check their comprehension for inconsistencies, and that they need to make inferences. Developing reading habits and reading in your spare time are highly recommended.
Developing reading habits and reading in your spare time are highly recommended.
Fiction books and novels are always a great way to start since storytelling uniquely engages you. Also, read other genres, like nonfiction books, news articles, magazines, editorials, and other media texts, so you will be familiar with any text form you may encounter on the OSSLT, especially by reading progressively more challenging texts.
Find out the best strategies for taking and passing the OSSLT with flying colors!
Excel the OSSLT with the Best Private Tutoring!
If you are worried that you will have difficulty managing yourself and preparing for the OSSLT, finding a professional OSSLT tutor on Superprof is one of the best solutions. The Superprof platform connects learners with some of your area's best and brightest OSSLT tutors who can help you achieve your learning goals. The site is easy to use and navigate, and you can find several prospective tutors to help you prepare for the OSSLT.
A private tutor will focus on your areas of improvement, assess your literacy skills, and provide you with valuable targeted feedback relevant to the OSSLT. Plus, many Superprof tutors offer the first lesson for free to help you find your perfect fit. Find excellent English classes in Vancouver or anywhere in Canada on Superprof.
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