How Virginia SOL testing works
A plain-English guide for parents and teachers: when the tests happen, what the items look like, how scoring works, and what changed under the 2023 VDOE standards.
The basics
The Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments are the state's annual measure of student achievement against Virginia's curriculum. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) administers reading and math in Grades 3-8, science in Grades 5 and 8, Virginia Studies in Grade 4, Civics & Economics in middle school, and End-of-Course (EOC) tests across high-school subjects.
Passing SOLs isn't just a score report — it's tied to diploma requirements. Virginia's Standard Diploma requires passing EOC SOLs in reading, writing, one math, one science, and one history. The Advanced Studies Diploma requires additional EOCs.
Computer-adaptive (CAT) vs. traditional format
Most Virginia divisions use the computer-adaptive format starting in Grade 3. A reading CAT contains 28 operational items organized into 4 passage sets. The test adapts the item difficulty to the student's responses, so two students in the same room may see different items.
The traditional (paper or straight online) format uses 40 operational items in 5 passage sets and is offered as an accommodation or in specific administrative scenarios. ZeroRetake practice books mirror the traditional paper format (5 tests × 40 items) so you see the full breadth of items without the item-bank adaptation quirks.
Scoring
Scale scores run 0-600. Virginia reports four achievement levels:
- Fail / Below Basic — 0-374
- Pass / Proficient — 400-499
- Pass / Advanced — 500-600
The pass cut is 400. Raw-to-scale conversions vary by test, so missing "10 of 40" on one grade-level test does not map to the same scaled score as "10 of 40" on a different test. VDOE publishes the raw-scale lookup tables after each administration.
What changed in 2023
The 2023 English Standards of Learning replaced the 2017 framework, approved by the Virginia Board of Education on March 28, 2024, effective Spring 2025 administration. Key changes:
- Reading strands consolidated to Literary, Informational, Vocabulary, and a new Foundations for Reading bundle.
- Grade 4 remains literary-heavy (55% weight); Grade 6 tilts informational (56%).
- Vocabulary (4.RV, 5.RV, 6.RV) is assessed inside passage sets, not as a standalone strand.
- The Grade 4 Reading SOL paper test now includes a pause/stop signal after the third passage set.
Every ZeroRetake Virginia SOL book cites the specific 2023 standards each item targets in its answer-explanation section, so you can trace practice performance back to the exact framework element that needs work.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Virginia SOL tests given?
Virginia schools administer SOL reading and math assessments in the spring, typically between March and May. Grade 5 and Grade 8 science are also spring. End-of-Course (EOC) SOLs can be taken any time a student completes the relevant course, including fall and summer windows.
What is a passing score on the Virginia SOL?
Scale scores run 0-600. A score of 400 meets the proficient / pass-proficient cut; 500+ is advanced / pass-advanced. Cut scores are the same across grades and subjects on the scale, but the raw-to-scaled mapping differs by test. Virginia requires passing EOC SOLs in English reading, math, science, and history for a Standard Diploma.
Is the SOL a computer-adaptive test (CAT)?
Most Virginia SOL assessments are delivered on the computer-adaptive (CAT) platform starting from Grade 3. The CAT version uses 28 operational items across 4 passage sets for reading. Paper / online-traditional formats use 40 operational items across 5 passage sets and are offered as an accommodation or for small-district logistics.
How long is the Virginia SOL?
The SOL is officially untimed, but most schools allocate a 2-2.5-hour testing window per session. VDOE does not set a fixed duration. Practice sessions of 70 minutes work well for Grades 3-5 and 90 minutes for Grades 6-8 as realistic pacing.
What changed with the 2023 VDOE Standards of Learning?
The 2023 English SOL framework replaces the 2017 standards. Reading strands shift from seven tested standards to four: Reading Literary, Reading Informational, Reading Vocabulary, and (in reading-inclusive grades) Writing. Grade 4 is literary-heavy (55%); Grade 6 tilts informational (56%). Math follows similar reporting-category updates, approved March 2024.
Which SOL tests must my child take?
Reading and math are tested every year in Grades 3-8. Science is tested in Grades 5 and 8. Virginia Studies is tested in Grade 4. Civics and Economics is tested in Grade 7 or 8 depending on your division. High school requires passing EOC SOLs in English reading, math, science, and history.
Where can I find official SOL practice items?
VDOE publishes released item sets on its official site at doe.virginia.gov. Those are limited — typically 10-15 items per grade per year — which is why supplemental practice books exist. ZeroRetake Virginia SOL books use the same item specifications and reporting-category weights, producing 200-250 practice questions per grade.