Spring 2022 SOL Testing
Across Virginia this spring, high school students will be taking Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) tests. An FCPS Frequently Asked Questions webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43148) provides more information about SOL EOC tests in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Students may be taking one or more Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments between April 25 and May 25. All SOL assessments are taken in-person at school. School staff will schedule and communicate specific testing dates for your student based on their individual assessment needs. If you become aware of an unavoidable conflict that could result in your student missing a testing day, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible.
Some SOL assessments are required under federal law, and some may be needed to verify credit for high school graduation. The table below shows the SOL EOC non-writing tests available to fulfill federal participation and/or verified credit requirements.
- Federal law requires schools to provide students one SOL test in reading, in mathematics, and in science during grades 9-12. These assessments provide information about student achievement to the parent/guardian, school, division, and state.
State law requires students to verify credits to fulfill Standard and Advanced Studies diploma graduation requirements, as outlined on the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/graduation-requirements-and-course-plann…) SOL tests are the most common way students earn the verified credits they need. However, performance assessments (in certain social studies courses only) or substitute assessments approved by the Virginia Board of Education may be another option available for your student to verify certain credits.
If you do not want your student to participate in SOL assessments, you have the right to refuse testing. However, any decision to refuse SOL tests should be made in consultation with school staff to allow full consideration of any potential implications for on-time graduation. The Right to Refuse Assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/34277) offers important information as you consider this decision.
In most cases, SOL assessment results are available in the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE within about three months. If you have questions about SOL testing, please contact your student’s school counselor or Jennifer Beach, McLean HS assessment coach/school test coordinator, at jabeach@fcps.edu.
Personal Electronic Devices are Prohibited
As SOL season is approaching, we want to remind families that students may not have access to their electronic personal devices of any kind (phones, watches, etc.) in the SOL testing environment, except in the case of a documented medical need. Please be aware that any personal devices carried into the testing environment will be subject to the school’s established procedures for addressing this as a test security concern.
Parent FAQs: SOL Testing
Q: What should my child bring to school specifically for testing?
A: Students should bring a pencil, their FCPSOn computer, and charger to testing. Students should not bring personal computers, as they cannot be used for SOL testing. They are permitted a water bottle, sweater, or jacket as well.
Q: Are students allowed to use calculators on the SOL test?
A: For math and science related tests, students are allowed to bring a calculator, but for the math SOLs, an online version of the DESMOS calculator is available during the tests.
Q: When will my student get an SOL schedule?
A: Student testing letters will specify testing dates for students, and will be sent out at least two weeks prior to testing via student FCPS email.
Q: How long are the SOLs?
A: SOL tests are untimed, and a student has the school day to complete the exam. Some of the longer tests like the reading, math, or science SOLs may take around 90-120 minutes.
Q: Which classes have SOLs?
A: At the high school level, there are 10 End of Course classes that have SOLs during the spring testing window.
- English 11 and AP Language: Reading
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geosystems: Earth Science
- World History I
- World History II
- United States and Virginia History (US/VA)
Please note that once a student has earned a verified credit and fulfilled the federal participation requirements in a subject, they will not have to take any further SOLs in that subject. For example, if a student passes the Biology SOL during the 9th grade, they will earn a science verified credit and fulfill the federal participation requirement for science, which means that they will not need to take any other science SOL tests during the rest of high school, such as the SOL in Chemistry or Earth Science.
Q: How can my child prepare for an SOL test?
A: McLean teachers follow the state Standards of Learning in class to prepare students to succeed on SOL tests. Students can also access review materials and practice tests at the McLean Assessment Resources Page (students must be signed into their school Google account to access this link). Parents can also visit the VDOE webpage for resources such as updated standards, practice tests, and materials.
Q: When are make-up tests?
A: We must pull students who missed an SOL test into make-up testing within the primary SOL attempt window. If you know that your child will be absent from testing in advance, contact your child’s SOL teacher and Jennifer Beach (jabeach@fcps.edu) for make-up options.
Q: What happens if my child does not pass an SOL?
A: The passing score range is 400-600. Normally, if a student scores within a range of 375-399, he or she will be permitted to retake the SOL after remediating with a teacher.
Q: What SOLs does my child need, depending on his or her diploma type and ninth grade entry date?
A: You can follow this link to the requirements for the standard and advanced studies diplomas regarding verified credits for students who entered ninth grade for the first time in 2016-17 and 2017-2018.
You can follow this link to the requirements for the standard and advanced studies diplomas regarding verified credits for students who enter the ninth grade for the first time in 2018-2019 and beyond.
SOL Test Dates 2022
SOL Testing During Ramadan
Students who are observing Ramadan during SOL testing in April may request to take their SOL test on the makeup date in mid-May. Contact Jennifer Beach, McLean’s Assessment Coach, at jabeach@fcps.edu to make this request.
AP Testing begins Monday, May 2nd. Please see the schedule below for times and locations. Students should report for morning exams at 8:00am. Students should report for afternoon exams at 12:00pm. Students taking afternoon exams will not finish testing until 3:45 – please plan your transportation accommodations accordingly.
Week 1
 Week 2
 Week 3
 AP Exam Schedule and Religious Observance Days
After careful consideration, FCPS leadership decided to continue with the established AP exam schedule for May 2, 2022. Students registered for AP exams on May 2nd (Chemistry, Spanish Literature, Japanese Language, US Government) will need to request late testing if they are unable to attend due to the Eid religious observance. May 3rd exams that were previously rescheduled for May 17th will remain on May 17th.
Requesting a late AP Exam due to May 2nd Eid Observance
Students who are unable to attend May 2nd AP exams (Chemistry, Spanish Literature, Japanese Language, or US Government) at McLean High School due to the Eid religious observance need to contact Jennifer Beach, Assessment Coach (jabeach@fcps.edu) no later than April 22nd to request late testing. Late testing follows the College Board Late Testing Schedule. The dates and times for the May 2nd late testing are listed in the table below.
 Early Release/Late Arrival Permission Slips for AP Test Days
If students have a morning exam and wish to go home after its completion, or if they wish to come late to school to report for their afternoon exam only, they must submit a signed permission slip for each exam to Renee Yates in the Attendance Office by April 22nd.
Early Release Permission Slip.
Late Arrival Permission Slip.
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