Purpose of assessment: The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course. SOL tests in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history/social science measure the success of students in meeting the State Board of Education’s expectations for learning and achievement. All items on SOL tests are reviewed by Virginia classroom teachers for accuracy and fairness. Teachers assist the state Board of Education in setting proficiency standards for the tests.

• Information on the Virginia Standards of Learning

Grades Taking the Assessment

Please refer to the Assessments by Grade Level page to identify which SOL test(s) your student may be scheduled to take during the current school year.

*End of Course (EOC) verified credits can be earned in middle school; however, one math, reading, and biology must be attempted in high school. Most students are required to earn five (5) verified credits (one in each subject area: math, reading, writing, history, and science) for graduation. 

Dates:  VDOE sets a state-determined “window” for each SOL administration and each district declares a  2-4 week timeframe when schools will offer the SOL tests. The exact date of the test is determined by the individual schools.

What to expect during the assessment:  SOL tests are given in school and typically online. Students use school-issued laptop computers. Most tests take 2-3 hours but SOL tests are untimed.  If a student needs more time, it is granted. See the accommodations tab to see which accommodations are available on the SOLs. 

Right to refuse assessments: Virginia does not have an "opt-out" policy for Standards of Learning (SOL) and/or Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) assessments for students; however, parents/guardians may submit a formal request to refuse participation.

Please note the following regarding refusal of SOL and/or VAAP assessments:

• Students will be assigned a score of zero (0) for each refused test.

• Student course grades will not be negatively impacted by refusal of these assessments, but refusing certain End-of-Course (EOC) tests for middle or high school students could have consequences for graduation.  

To learn more and to notify the school of your intent to refuse SOL and/or VAAP assessments for your student, please contact the School Test Coordinator at your student's school.

SOL Practice Items

SOL practice items are available in all subjects for students, families, and teachers on the VDOE website: SOL Practice Items

What Do the Scores Mean: All SOL test results have a Scaled Score which ranges from 0 to 600. A Scaled Score of 400 is required to pass.

The State has released the document “Understanding Your Student’s Non-Writing Standards of Learning (SOL) score report,” which describes in detail the information that is included in each We include the information from the document below. An image of a sample test score is shown on this page.

1) STUDENT INFORMATION for the individual student is located in this section of the score report.

2) TEST ADMINISTRATION shows which test(s) the student attempted.

3) TEST NAME shows the SOL Non-Writing test(s) taken by the student.

4) TEST SCALED SCORE shows the overall performance results for each SOL test taken by the student. Based on a student’s performance, the student receives a test scaled score ranging from 0 to 600. A student must attain a test scaled score of 400 or higher to pass a test. If a student attains a test scaled score of 500 or higher, the student is considered to have performed at an advanced level. A test scaled score between 0 and 399 indicates the student did not pass the test. The performance results bar(s) are ordered from highest test score to lowest test score. A footnote is included to explain a test scaled score of ‘0’ or a ‘No Score’.

5) PERFORMANCE LEVEL The performance level is determined by the overall test scaled score earned by the student for each test. The performance levels are classified as pass/proficient, pass/advanced, or failing to meet the standard. The  Virginia Department of Education provides information about SOL Assessments at this link.

6) REPORTING CATEGORIES Each SOL test is divided into reporting categories that represent related content or skills. Reporting category scaled scores are on a scale of 0-50 and can be used to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses. A reporting category scaled score of 40 or above indicates a strength. A reporting category scaled score below 30 indicates the student may benefit from additional instruction in this area. More information about the reporting categories is available at this link.

7) ADDITIONAL TEST ATTEMPTS If the student attempted this test more than once during the test administration, her/his best performance results are shown and the scores from other test attempts are shown here.

STANDARD ERROR OF MEASUREMENT Achievement on all tests, including standardized assessments and classroom tests developed by teachers, is subject to what is known as the standard error of measurement. The standard error of measurement describes the potential of slight variations in achievement when students take multiple tests of equal difficulty covering the same content. For more information about Standard Error of Measurement, please visit the Virginia Department of Education’s website link.

More information about Virginia Assessment Program is available at www.doe.virginia.gov/testing. 

Resources based on the results: Please check with the student’s classroom teacher to determine steps to address strengths and weaknesses that are noted SOL score report.