Frequently-Asked Questions
There are a lot of questions about the OSSLT. Here are some answers to the ones we hear the most. Do you have a suggestion for a question that could appear on this page? Let us know using our contact form.
OSSLT Administration
How is the OSSLT marked?
The OSSLT is marked by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). EQAO is a Crown Agency, which means that it reports to the Minister of Education, but is not directly run by the Ministry of Education. The OSSLT is not marked by teachers in schools, but by employees of EQAO.
What does the OSSLT accomplish?
EQAO marks the test to determine whether students can make sense of various texts and express their thoughts effectively. On a broader level, the OSSLT allows the Ministry of Education and taxpayers to compare how effective different schools and school boards have been at educating students. This information gives the Ministry one lens through which to consider how to adjust education policy.
If my school has lower-than-average scores, does that mean it's a bad school?
High- or low-scoring schools and boards can have a variety of circumstances which lead to these outcomes. Areas which have many test-takers whose first language isn't English, for example, might score lower than the average school in Ontario, despite having helped students make significant gains.
How long does the test take to write?
Generally speaking, the OSSLT is written in one day for all students across Ontario (although this has not been true during the Covid pandemic). There are two sections, each written in a 60-minute period (extra time can be allotted if required), and there is typically a short break between each section, or the sections can even be written on different days. Individual schools and boards determine how the test should be run.
What's on the OSSLT?
What kinds of questions appear on the test?
There are four types of questions on the OSSLT: Mulitple choice, news report, paragraph, and short answer. There are two subtypes of multiple choice questions: direct and indirect. There are 31 multiple-select questions (multiple choice, checklist, etc.) and two open response questions.
OSSLT Requirements
Is the OSSLT part of my English mark?
No, the OSSLT is not part of your English mark. The OSSLT requirement for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma is separate from credit requirements.
What score do I need?
You need to score at least 300 out of 400, or 75%. You will get a report with your score on it, but individual scores are not made public.