OSSLT

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT): 2025-2026

The 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 (OSSD). All students across the province write this test.

If a student is unsuccessful at passing the OSSLT, they are encouraged to speak with their Guidance Teacher to determine the best path to obtain the Literacy Graduation Requirement for an OSSD. This may include OLC4O1: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course. 

Grade 11 and 12 students who were previously eligible and identified as needing to complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) will have the opportunity to write on Tuesday November 25th, 2025.

Grade 10 students enrolled a Grade 10 English course Semester 1 will write on Thursday November 27th, 2025.

NOTE: Spring Date will be determined in Semester 2 for Grade 10 students enrolled a Grade 10 English course in Semester 2.

Fall 2025 OSSLT 

TIME

EVENT

NOTES

9:30am

Session A (periods 1 & 2)

Test begins at 10:00am

Extra time is available for any student who requires it. All students must remain in the class until 12:05pm. 

12:10-12:50pm

Lunch

All students writing will have 1st lunch

12:55-2:10pm

Session B (periods 3 B/C & 4)

Test begins at 1:00

Extra time is available for any student who requires it. All students must remain in the class until 3:30pm. 

Buses are running as regularly scheduled. 

Important Information for Students Writing the Test:

  • Students should be in their assigned test location by 9:15AM
  • Students will have to leave their bags, jackets, electronics or pencil cases in their lockers.
  • Although it is an electronic test, students are permitted to keep supplies in a clear plastic bag on their desk to make rough notes (pens, pencils, highlighters etc.)

Preparing for the OSSLT

St. Mary will be holding free OSSLT prep classes on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm in the Learning Commons in November (4th, 11th, 25th). Additional OSSLT Prep sessions will be running in the March/April. All eligible students are encouraged to attend. Topics covered: reading comprehension, paragraph writing, grammar and vocabulary, answering multiple choice questions, opinion piece writing, and writing a practice test.

OSSLT Assembly
November

Practice Test
Students have the opportunity to become familiar with the online test and its platform through EQAO’s online practice test. The online practice test comprises two sessions, which include content from previous tests. The practice test is 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

Resources

Vice-Principal, Ms. Melissa Morrison (x56004)