Getting Ready for the OSSLT 2016 Gananoque Secondary School

What is the OSSLT? The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a provincially-mandated test of reading and writing. All Grade 10 students in Ontario and any students who have not yet completed the test write the OSSLT on the same day.

Why is the OSSLT important? The successful completion of the OSSLT is provincial requirement for graduation and you must achieve a mark of 75% or more to pass!

When do we write the OSSLT this year? Thursday, March 31, 2016 8:00 a.m.

What does the test look like? The test is comprised of 4 booklets two questions booklets and two student answer booklets. Students have 75 minutes to complete each booklet. A 15 minute break is provided between sessions. Juice and muffins will be provided for you during this break. Each booklet contains 1 major writing task and several reading selections with questions.

When and where do I write the test? You will report to school at 8:00 a.m. as usual. All materials and room assignments will be ready for you. The Ministry of Education requires that all students in Ontario write the test on the same day. Please make note of the date – March 31 – and plan appointments and other commitments accordingly. The test will begin at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Punctuality Less than 30 minutes late Student is allowed to begin the first booklet late and to use the time remaining. Instructions provided at the beginning of the session will not be repeated. NO additional time is allowed. More than 30 Minutes late but before the beginning of Session 2: The student is allowed to write the second booklet only. Opportunity for passing the test is affected.

What happens if I am absent on the date of the test? The OSSLT is a provincial test with one opportunity per year. If you are absent on March 31th, you will need to wait one full year before you can take the test again.

Bring Pencils (multiple Choice sheet) Eraser Pens (Written answers) A highlighter DON’T Bring iPods or listening devices Cell phones Backpacks, bags etc. liquid paper

What does the test consist of? Reading: Three Types Informational - paragraph and news report Literary - dialogue and real-life narrative Graphic - a schedule, map, diagram, graph, or other form of visual text

What does the test consist of? (cont’d) Writing – 4 types of tasks Short Writing Tasks Six lines each, based on your response to given prompts Summary Writing Asked for the main idea and supporting details to briefly explain what the story is about Two Long Writing Tasks News report (1 page) Supported Opinion (2 pages)

What kinds of questions are on the Writing sections? Multiple Choice Questions and Writing Tasks logical organization of ideas sentence and paragraph structure conventions (spelling, grammar, vocabulary)

Written Reponses Complete written answers directly in the response booklets. Writing space is provided. Booklets include space for “rough work”. Do not use liquid paper. If you make a mistake, cross out the incorrect part and write the new answer neatly. As long as the markers can read the work, it will be marked.

Does Spelling Count? Many students worry about “mechanics” – spelling, grammar, etc. The graders for the OSSLT know that students are writing a time-limited task and are not consulting dictionaries. So, do your best but don’t stress about perfect spelling and grammar. Instead, focus on writing a clear, well- developed response to answer the questions asked. A few mistakes in spelling or grammar will not hold you back unless they interfere with the meaning of what you write.

Can I prepare for this Test? Absolutely! As is the case with any test, preparation improves performance. The best way to prepare for the test is to use good reading and writing strategies regularly in your classes and at home.

Can I Prepare for this Test? Cont’d Strategies to use on the test are ones that you use regularly in classrooms. For example: Asking questions as you read: e.g., WWWWWH?(Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?), What is the author’s purpose? What is the main idea? What details support the main idea? How does the main idea link to my own experience? Summarizing informational text. Use a textbook in any subject and summarize an important passage. Your good note-taking strategies help to prepare you for the OSSLT. Identifying main ideas and supporting details as you read. Separating fact from opinion as you read. Stating an opinion and supporting it with logical reasons.

Can I Prepare for this Test? cont’d Reading, reading, reading: news reports, editorials, schedules, graphs, maps/legends, charts, time lines, narratives, advertising, informational and other real-life texts. Writing and reading regularly; making connections between what you read and your own experiences. ALSO, you can Participate in on-line training through many sites that help you to practice. and …

Can I prepare for the Test? cont’d You can visit the EQAO web site or the Reading and Writing icon in the Literature section of our computers and work through sample test materials and practice tests from previous years (answers included) so that you know exactly what to expect on March 31th. NO SURPRISES: BE PREPARED

Plan For Success!