History of the SOL The SOL is the Commonwealth of Virginia's response to the No Child Left Behind legislation signed by President George W. Bush in 2002. Every state has its own variation. The SOL measures student achievement in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history/social studies. Which of the five subjects are assessed varies from grade to grade and the high school tests are organized differently from elementary and middle school. What is a Criterion Reference Test? Tests are designed to assess different things. The SOLs are Criterion Reference Tests, which are intended to assess the specific curriculum taught in a particular course. Criterion Reference Tests are objective and do not assess analytical thinking. Annual SOL Testing By Subject
Elementary and Middle School:
SOL Reading: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
SOL Math: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
SOL Writing: 5th and 8th grades
SOL Science: 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades
SOL History/Social Studies: 3rd and 8th grades High School:
SOL End-of-Course tests measure students' understanding of course content, not grade-level skills. SOL EOC tests are given in 9th through 12th grade at the completion of various courses, including reading, writing, algebra I, algebra II, geometry, biology, chemistry, earth science, world geography, Virginia and United States history, world history I, and world history II.
Virginia Department of Education Materials Available Online Calendars, practice materials, FAQs and previous tests are all available on the VDOE website.
Test Preparation Pointers*
- Plan, don't plunge!
- SOLs are not timed
- An unanswered question is counted as a wrong answer
- Use Process of Elimination (POE)
- Develop a logical approach
- Read question stem first
- Be aware of "trigger words" (always, all, never, only, but, although)
- Build on existing knowledge and interests
- Relax...position for "psychological edge"
The Dreaded Essay Question Can Be Conquered!
- Read the entire prompt
- Answer the question
- Look for guide words (describe, show, compare, share, explain, discuss, support)
- Do not write something the student THINKS the teacher will like to read
- Use writing prompt to develop thesis statement
- Reinforce the idea of the "five-paragraph essay" regardless of the complexity of the assignment
*from the presentation What You Need To Know: Strategies for School Success by Dr. Ralph G. Perrino
Final Thoughts
The SOL is primarily a test of what a child has learned in a particular course. It is not an intelligence test or a predictor of future success. As with any test, a good night's sleep, a good breakfast and a healthy perspective create a physical and psychological edge.
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