This section provides quick access to commonly used information and resources but does not include all available links.
Frequently Asked Question Page
Please see: FAQ OSSLT
OSSLT Eligibility Requirements
Please see: Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements
Section 6.1.3 refers to the literacy graduation requirement, and 6.1.3.2 outlines eligibility to the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course.
Our FAQ section also addresses these questions: FAQ OSSLT
Administration Windows
The administration dates can be found on our website here: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
Please note: The last two days of the administration window should be reserved for students who missed their originally scheduled dates or for extenuating circumstances.
Permitted Accommodations
Accommodations refer to changes in the presentation format or the way in which a student with special education needs responds to its components. Accommodations do not alter the content of the test or affect validity or reliability. Changes that alter the measured skill or test question or reading selection are considered modifications and are not permitted for Provincial assessments since this would alter the validity and/or reliability of the results.
Please see the following sections:
Supports for all students during the OSSLT
Permitted Accommodations for students with Special Education Needs or Special Circumstances
Please also see: Special Education in Ontario Schools
Ontario Schools K-12 Policy and Program Requirements Section 6.1.3.3 refers to Accommodations, Special Provisions, Deferrals and Exemptions.
English Language Learners
The OSSLT is a minimum competency literacy test. As directed by Ministry of Education policy, English Language Learners should participate when they have a high enough level of English proficiency.
Please see: English language learners
Please also see: Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements
Section 3 refers to Meeting the needs of all learners, and section 3.1 specifically refers to English Language Learners. Section 6.1.3.3 refers to Accommodations, Special Provisions, Deferrals and Exemptions.
Alternative Version of the Assessment
The alternative version of the assessment is available in multiple formats for students with special education needs or a special consideration. The alternative version of the OSSLT contains single-select and open response questions only. It does not contain technology enhanced items such as drag and drop, checklists or drop-down type questions. If a student requires the alternative version of the test because their accommodations noted on their IEP or special consideration prevents them from accessing the online test, it must be requested by the school administrator in the e-assessment system.
To request an Alternative version of the assessment, please see: Alternative Version of the OSSLT
Individual Student Reports (ISRs)
Principals are responsible for distributing the information note, along with the ISRs, to families and students. Here are the steps to access Individual Student Reports: Reports
Deferring or Exempting a Student
All students eligible for the assessments must be accounted for in the e-assessment system, including those writing with accommodations or special considerations, and those deferred or exempted. Complete and accurate information for each student eligible to participate in the assessments is provided to EQAO through the e-assessment system.
Please see: Verifying and managing student information
Please see: Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements
Section 6.1.3.3 refers to Accommodations, Special Provisions, Deferrals and Exemptions.
EQAO Data Definitions
Please be advised that the annual EQAO Student Data Collection System resources—including the Assessment Data Definitions, File Submission Specifications, Business Rules and Validation Specifications, and the Data Definitions for Accounting and Reporting for Students with Unique or Special Circumstances—are distributed directly to school boards by EQAO as part of the Student Data Collection process.
School principals who need to consult these resources should contact their assigned Board EQAO Contact to request copies. These documents provide essential guidance on data elements, validation requirements, and submission expectations for EQAO reporting.
EQAO also provides these Explanation of Terms for common terms, and definitions can also be found in the User Guide.
Field test items and how they affect student results
The OSSLT Framework document outlines the numbers and types of operational and Field Test items on the assessment: 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
Guest Students
Please see: Guest Students
Practice Test
EQAO strongly recommends that students complete the practice assessment prior to the operational assessment, particularly students who use accommodation software, to ensure the software is functioning properly. Please see Accessing the Practice Test from the Website or Scheduling the Practice Test and Administering the Practice Test.
Principal Priorities and Responsibilities for EQAO Administration
For guidance on administration tasks, please refer to Checklists.
Professional Responsibilities
All administrators and teachers must attest to their professional responsibilities in the e-assessment system upon login. Please review the revised professional responsibilities.
Public Schools Professional Responsibilities
Reporting an issue during the assessment
For urgent technical issues that are preventing a student from accessing the assessment call technical support at 1-888-327-7377. Any other issues must be reported in the e-assessment system. Please see: During the OSSLT
Scoring Rubrics and Guides
The OSSLT Framework document contains rubrics for both Open Response and Opinion Essays: 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
An enhanced Opinion Essay Guide is available here: Understanding the Opinion Essay Scoring Guide (coming soon to EQAO.com).
Educators can access the Unpacking the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT): A Guide for Educators (coming soon to EQAO.com), which provides guidance on the knowledge and skills assessed on the OSSLT and examples of how the test expectations align with classroom learning.
Scripts, Letters, and Checklists
Please see: Resources
Test Security and Confidentiality
Helpful links related to requirements for test security and confidentiality:
Assessment Lockdown Software Configuration
Enhanced Assessment Security for Students with Unmanaged Chromebooks or Alternative Access
Public Schools Professional Responsibilities
Shredding of Printed and Electronic Copies of the Alternative version of the OSSLT
Unsubmitting a Section
Please see: Unsubmitting a session
All sessions that remain open at the end of the school day are automatically submitted to prevent students from accessing the test in an unsupervised setting. Once a student leaves the supervised test environment, they are not permitted to go back to parts of the test they have already accessed. Please see Autosubmission of Sessions.