Assessment Window
EQAO is planning to administer the OSSLT at two points during the 2022–2023 school year. The first is between November 2 and December 7, 2022, with individual student results reported by the end of January 2023, and the second is between March 1 and April 26, 2023, with individual student results reported by mid-June 2023.
What is Assessed on the OSSLT
Literacy comprises the 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. For more information please review the OSSLT Framework: https://www.eqao.com/framework-osslt/
OSSLT Design
Design of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
The OSSLT uses a linear test design. Several equivalent test forms are assembled according to content and statistical specifications ahead of test administration. The forms are fixed in length.
Duration of the OSSLT
The OSSLT is an online assessment that comprises two sessions (Session A and Session B) containing a total of 33 questions: 31 selected-response questions (e.g., multiple-choice, drag and drop, drop-down menu, checklist) and two open-response questions. Each session is designed to be completed in 60 minutes, and students must complete each session in one sitting. The sessions can be attempted one after the other, either back to back with a short break or on two different dates and times. At the end of the two sessions, students will be presented with a questionnaire that asks them about their attitudes and perceptions with respect to literacy.
Below are two sample schedules showing the suggested allotted time for each session of the OSSLT. Students are permitted additional time, with supervision, to complete a session.
Note: Supervised breaks are permitted during Sessions A and B, and these may include water, stretch and washroom breaks.
