Ohio State Test (OST)

OST Testing Begins April 14th (Grades 3–8)

Our Ohio State Tests (OST) in English Language Arts (ELA) will take place on:

• Tuesday, April 14

• Wednesday, April 15

Testing is for all students in Grades 3–8 and will begin promptly at 8:00 AM each day.

Arrival Matters

It is critical that students arrive on time. Late arrivals can disrupt testing and create unnecessary stress for students.

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How Families Can Help Students Prepare

The Night Before

Set your child up for success with a strong routine:

• Put away phones and technology by 7:00 PM

• Wind down with a calm evening routine

• Aim for sleep by 9:00 PM

The Morning Of

• Students will eat breakfast at school

• Encourage your child to drink water before arriving

• Avoid:

  • Soda

  • Coffee or energy drinks

  • Sugary snacks or chips

These can impact focus and energy during testing.

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Supporting a Strong Testing Mindset

Students may encounter questions that feel challenging—and that’s okay. What matters most is effort, persistence, and confidence.

A helpful phrase to tell your child:

“Take your time, read carefully, and show what you know. If it feels hard, stay calm and keep going.”

You can also practice with them to:

• Read and annotate each question carefully

• Cross out answers they know are incorrect

• Ask yourself: “How do I know this is correct?”

• Take their time—no rushing

• Keep working, even when unsure

Practice at Home (Optional)

Families can explore the OST Parent Resource site using the guest login to preview test questions and tools. This helps students feel more comfortable with the testing format.

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Full OST Testing Calendar