Standards of Learning (SOL)

Most students starting in grade 3 will take SOL assessments.

All students in tested grade levels and courses are expected to participate in Virginia’s assessment program, unless specifically exempted by state or federal law or by Board of Education regulations. Virginia’s assessment system includes students with disabilities and students who are English Learners (ELs). Students with disabilities and ELs may take Standards of Learning tests with or without accommodations or they may be assessed through the alternate assessment. The tests that comprise the Virginia Assessment Program are offered in English only; administration of the tests in other languages is not permitted.

Below is a table of each assessment by grade level.  Some students may take an end-of-course (EOC) math assessment in grades 7 or 8.

The SOL tests are completed by students in Virginia’s public schools using the online testing application, TestNav™. This application allows SOL tests to be administered securely to students using a wide variety of devices including desktop computers, laptop computers, and tablets.

Reading and Math assessments for grades 3-8 are computer adaptive meaning the test is customized for every student based on how the student responds to the test questions.

Test Practice items, grouped by content area and grade level or course, are available for use by teachers, parents, and students and can accessed on the Virginia Department of Education website.

These practice items serve as examples of the types of online test items that are presented to students during an online state assessment.

Standards of Learning assessments in English reading, mathematics, science and history/social science are made up of multiple-choice and technology-enhanced items or questions that measure content knowledge, scientific and mathematical processes, reasoning and critical thinking skills. English writing skills are measured with a two-part assessment that includes multiple-choice items and an essay.

Student performance is graded on a scale of 0-600 with 400 representing the minimum level of acceptable proficiency and 500+ representing advanced proficiency. On English reading and mathematics tests, the Board of Education has defined levels of student achievement: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced, with basic describing progress towards proficiency.

Performance level descriptors are available for SOL tests in reading, history and social science, mathematics and science. These descriptors convey the knowledge and skills associated with each performance (achievement) level.

The achievement levels for grades 3-8 reading and mathematics tests are:  Pass/Advanced, Pass/Proficient, Fail/Basic, and Fail/Below Basic.

The Expedited Retake test is an optional opportunity for students to retake a failed SOL Non-Writing test during the same administration.

Eligibility for expedited retakes:

• Students who score between 375-399 (Gr. 3-8 and EOC)

• Student with disabilities (SWD) who score 350-399 on EOC SOL only (credit accommodation)

• Students who failed by any margin and had extenuating circumstances or significant achievement discrepancy.

Prior to any expedited retake for students who have failed an SOL test for grades 3–8, school divisions shall obtain and thereafter maintain documentation annually of affirmative parental consent and permission for their child to take an expedited retake.

Student Detail by Question (SDBQ) Report

Parent Report