Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the literacy test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 

The administration of the OSSLT will take place from

  • Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 7:00 a.m. ET, to Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. ET, with individual student results reported on or by the end of January 2024.
  • Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. ET, to Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. ET, with individual student results reported on or by the end of May 2024.

On this page

    Administration User Guide, 2023–2024

    Please note that with the release of the new Ontario language curriculum, the OSSLT user guide has been updated.

    This user guide provides direction and information to school administrators, teachers and IT professionals at schools and boards who are involved in the administration of the OSSLT. The user guide also provides guidelines, information on roles and answers to frequently asked questions.

    Topics covered by the user guide include the following:

    • for teachers: accessing and navigating accounts, managing classrooms, preparing students for the assessment and administering the assessment sessions
    • for school administrators: accessing and navigating accounts, managing student lists and teacher accounts, overseeing assessment sessions and functioning as a primary point of contact for teachers
    • for school board representatives and IT teams: navigating the general technical readiness process, preparing for the accessibility and accommodations options, understanding bandwidth and connectivity requirements, managing security and domain allowed-list protocols and configuring devices
    For technical support, please e-mail our Technical Support Team at [email protected] or call 1-888-327-7377.

    Practice Test

    Please note that with the release of the new Ontario language curriculum, the OSSLT practice test has been updated.

    Students can become familiar with the online test and its platform through EQAO’s online practice test. The online practice test comprises two sessions that are equivalent to the two sessions students will be completing during the live test. In addition, the practice test includes an introductory session that allows students to become familiar with the new online platform’s tools and functions.

    Framework

    Please note that with the release of the new Ontario language curriculum, the OSSLT Framework document has been updated.

    The Framework provides a detailed description of EQAO’s OSSLT (including how the test is grounded in the Ontario Curriculum’s expectations for literacy skills for all subjects up to the end of Grade 9) as well as sample student reports.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some frequently asked questions about the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).

    Information Videos

    Please note that this video is currently being updated.

    Live Webinars

    Webinar for Parents/Guardians: What to Expect on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

    EQAO staff will provide information about the OSSLT. Attendees will learn about resources to help students feel confident as they write the OSSLT. The webinar will be approximately 45 minutes, followed by a live Q & A with EQAO staff.

    Webinar for Principals: Administering the OSSLT

    In this live webinar, you will learn the details of administering the OSSLT using the e-assessment system. The session is approximately 45 minutes, followed by a live Q&A with EQAO staff.

    Webinar for Secondary School Principals & Consultants: Accessing EQAO Data

    In this training session, you will learn how to access EQAO data reports that can inform school improvement planning. The session will highlight new data visualizations available this year. EQAO staff will be available to answer your questions.

    Registration coming soon

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