Yes 300 is not just a good OSSLT score, it’s the passing benchmark set by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) in Ontario. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) uses a scale from 200 to 400, and students must achieve at least 300 to fulfill the literacy requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Falling even slightly below say, 290 means the requirement remains unmet, regardless of how close it is to the threshold.
It’s important to note that the OSSLT isn’t graded on a curve; it assesses whether students meet provincial literacy standards in reading and writing. A score of 300 indicates that a student has demonstrated the minimum required proficiency in interpreting informational texts, narrative pieces, and producing coherent written responses like summaries, opinion pieces, and news reports.
While 300 is sufficient to pass, students aiming for competitive academic paths such as admission to top-tier programs or scholarships may want to strive higher. Although postsecondary institutions in Ontario do not typically use OSSLT scores for admissions, strong literacy skills reflected in a higher score (e.g., 350+) often correlate with better performance in coursework and standardized assessments like the SAT or university writing placements.
Students who don’t reach 300 have options: they can retake the OSSLT or fulfill the literacy requirement by completing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC). Both pathways are recognized equally by the Ministry of Education.
If you're preparing for the OSSLT, focus on practicing real test questions, strengthening reading comprehension strategies, and refining writing structure especially for opinion and informational responses. Many students who initially score in the high 200s reach or exceed 300 after targeted practice.
Ready to pass the OSSLT with confidence? Explore proven prep resources and practice tests tailored to EQAO’s format to ensure you hit that 300 and beyond.