Transcript OSSLT 2012 Student Information Session

OSSLT Student Assembly
ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL
LITERACY TEST
(OSSLT)
THURSDAY, MARCH 29 TH , 2012
Mark the date on your calendar…
• The only opportunity for students to write
the OSSLT is on:
Thursday, March 29th, 2012
• There will not be another opportunity for
students to write the OSSLT until April
2013.
Test Length
Activity
Allotted Time
Booklet One*
(Reading and Writing)
Break
75 minutes
Booklet Two*
(Reading and Writing)
Student Questionnaire
75 minutes
15 minutes
10 minutes
Schedule for March 29th: OSSLT Day
Activity
OSSLT
Common lunch
Alternative educational
activity
Time
8:30 - 12:00
12:00 – 1:15
1:15 – 2:30
DETAILED SCHEDULE
 This detailed schedule for
the day is available on our
school website!
 It also went home in a letter
to your parents last week.
GRADE 10
8:30 – 8:45
8:45 – 9:00
Opening Exercises
Instructions for OSSLT
Booklet #1
9:00 – 10:15
OSSLT Booklet #1
10:15 – 10:30
Break
10:30 – 10:35
Instructions for
Booklet #2
10:35 – 11:50
OSSLT Booklet #2
11:50 – 12:00
Questionnaire
12:00 – 1:15
Lunch
1:15 – 2:30
Period 4
Test Room Locations
• Do you know the location of your test room?
• A list of test rooms is posted on the wall outside
the main office, the library, and in guidance.
• If you think you should write the OSSLT and your
name is not on the list, please contact Mrs.
Wilson in the English Department immediately.
Before you arrive…
 It is recommended that students use the bathroom
facilities before the test or during the scheduled
break.
 Students will not receive additional time to make up
for time lost due to a bathroom break.
Punctuality & Attendance
 Students are to arrive at their test room by 8:30
a.m.
 Students who arrive late will not be granted
additional time to compensate for their late arrival.
 Test instructions will not be repeated.
Student Behaviour
 All students are expected to respect the
administration of the OSSLT.
 There is to be no discussion between students.
 Inappropriate student behaviour, that will jeopardize
any student’s ability to complete the OSSLT, will be
documented and reported.
 EQAO will report to the Principal any offensive
language and/or graphics recorded in the test
booklets.
Uniform Policy
 Students are required to be in complete uniform
when they arrive at their test room.
 Any personal belongings, including coats, that are
brought into the room will be placed at the front of
the room.
 Students may bring only bottled water into the test
room.
Writing Instruments
 Sharpened HB pencils (for bubbling multiple-choice
questions)
 Eraser
 Black or blue ink pens or pencils
(for written answers)
 Highlighter to highlight important keywords in the
tasks
Electronic Devices
 The use of cell-phones, audio- or video-recording
devices, pagers, digital music players or any email or text-messaging devices during the OSSLT
is prohibited.
 Their use during the OSSLT may result in no
score being provided.
Test Package Numbers
 Upon entering the test room, you will be directed to
sit at a desk that is labelled with your name and has
your test package.
 Before you begin the test, you will be asked to check
that the same final 12-digits of the Test Package
Number are listed on all test materials.
Budgeting Time
 All students must remain in the test room until the
end of each test session.
 Use the full 75 minutes provided to review answers.
Reminders…
 Do not leave any blanks.
 Blank responses will be scored as zero.
 Attempt all questions.
 If you are ABSENT you will be scored a FAILING
MARK. If you know you will be away that day, please
tell Mrs. Wilson as soon as possible.
Various Sections of the Test
 MULTIPLE CHOICE:
-read the passage twice if you have to
-select the answer that is the most correct
-read the questions first and circle key words
-do not skip any questions (if you do not know an
answer, come back to it, and if all else fails, make an
educated guess)
-highlight and underline key words or phrases in the
passage
-read the questions CAREFULLY!!
 SHORT WRITING TASK:
-Make sure that you:
-stay on topic
-write in the format requested (full sentences)
-draw on your own experience in responding to the prompt
-do not respond with excessive and/or confusing spelling and
sentence structure
-write a topic sentence, provide supporting points, reasons and
explanations, and a concluding sentence
-make sure writing is legible and neat
-fill in all of the lines provided
- indent!
GOOD EXAMPLE:
WHY?
 It’s NEAT! 
 It’s INDENTED! 
 It fills up all of the SPACE PROVIDED! 
 It is direct and focuses on ONE TOPIC! 
 It provides good EXAMPLES and SUPPORT! 
 PASS!!!!!
POOR EXAMPLE:
WHY?
 It is NOT INDENTED 
 It does not fill all of the SPACE PROVIDED 
In their mock tests, many students forgot to:
-Indent
-Check their spelling, grammar, and sentence structure
-Fill in all of the space provided
-Stick to one topic
Ensure that you do all of the above for full marks 
 NEWS REPORT:
 Student has:
 answered the questions who? what? where? when? and why? in the






first two sentences
referred to the picture and headline, and given specific information that
can be tied to both
written an article of at least 3 paragraphs in length (no more than 5)
used all of the space provided
taken on a professional tone
written in the third person, leaving out personal opinions or biases
has used at least one quotation expressing how others feel about this
issue
GOOD EXAMPLE:
WHY?
 It’s NEAT! 
 It’s INDENTED! 
 It fills up all of the SPACE PROVIDED! 
 It’s 3 PARAGRAPHS!! 
 It answers the questions WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN,




and WHY in the lead! 
It is UNBIASED and sounds PROFESSIONAL! 
It is direct and focuses on the PICTURE and TITLE!
It provides good EXAMPLES and SUPPORT! 
Includes at least one QUOTATION! 
 PASS!!!!!
POOR EXAMPLE:




It is NOT INDENTED 
It is TOO LONG (or is some cases, short) 
It is not 3-5 PARAGRAPHS   
It does not answer the 5 W’s in the lead
In their mock tests, many students forgot to:
-Indent
-Check their spelling, grammar, and sentence structure
-Fill in all of the space provided
-Answer the 5 W’s
Have 3-5 PARAGRAPHS!!!!
Ensure that you do all of the above for full marks 
 OPINION PIECE:
 Student has:
 written between 3-5 paragraphs. 3 paragraphs is the minimum
 written to an audience who is an adult interested in his/her







opinion
used first person point of view, and the pronoun “I”
come up with at least 2 supporting points
used all of the space provided
only expressed one opinion
created a new paragraph with each new idea
made sure writing is legible
used full sentences and edited his/her work
GOOD EXAMPLE:
WHY?
 It’s NEAT! 
 It’s INDENTED! 
 It fills up all of the SPACE PROVIDED! 
 It’s at least 3 PARAGRAPHS!! 
 It is PERSONAL and expresses and OPINION 
 It provides good EXAMPLES and SUPPORT! 
 PASS!!!!!
POOR EXAMPLE:
 Don’t skip lines 
 This will result in a
failing mark for
your opinion piece!
POOR EXAMPLE:
 Don’t leave empty lines 
 This will result in a failing
score for your opinion piece!
POOR EXAMPLE:
 Argue yes OR no, but not
both!
 Be decisive!
 Remember to indent!
 Don’t leave spaces; fill every
line!
Preparation is the Key
 Have a restful night’s sleep.
 Have a balanced and nutritious breakfast.
 Give yourself enough time to arrive to school on time
for the test.
 Leave your home earlier on that day.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
 Available on the following website:
www.eqao.com (Student Resources)
You can try sample tests, and check your answers
 After school on Tuesday March 26th in the Library
between 2:30-4:00 pm – See Mrs. Wilson
* You can ask questions, see examples, and look over
your mock test.
Good Luck!!!
Questions???