What Is the Virginia SOL Test?
Virginia Standards of Learning Assessment
About the Test
Virginia's Core Statewide Assessment
The Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test is a statewide assessment administered each spring by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). It measures how well a student has mastered that grade's SOL curriculum, and every student in grades 3–8 at a Virginia public school is required to take it.
FCPS and every other Virginia public school builds instruction around the SOL, so the test closely reflects what students already learn in class. It's administered online and includes multiple-choice questions along with technology-enhanced items like drag-and-drop and fill-in-the-blank.
Key Facts
Grades and Scoring at a Glance
3–8
Grades Tested
Every student in Virginia public schools, grades 3 through 8, takes SOL tests each spring.
600
Pass (Proficient)
A scaled score of 600 or higher (out of 800) is reported as Pass (Proficient).
700
Pass (Advanced)
A scaled score of 700 or higher indicates Pass (Advanced Proficient) — mastery beyond grade level.
Subjects by Grade
Elementary Grade Subject Schedule
| Grade | Subjects Tested |
|---|---|
| Grade 3 | Math, Reading |
| Grade 4 | Math, Reading |
| Grade 5 | Math, Reading, Science |
| Grade 6 | Math, Reading |
Testing takes place between late April and early June each year; exact dates vary by school. For the latest schedule across all grades, including 7–8, check the official VDOE page below.
Try It Yourself
Try Real SOL Practice Items & Past Exams
These are official practice items and released past exams published directly by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) — the same format students see on test day.
Why It Matters
How SOL Results Are Used
- Results feed into each school's state accreditation rating — a measure families and school boards use to gauge school performance.
- In some grades and subjects, scores are one factor schools consider for promotion decisions, alongside classroom grades and teacher input.
- SOL results help teachers and parents see, subject by subject, which grade-level standards a student has mastered and which need more practice.
How to Prepare
Start With the Grade-Level Standards
The most effective way to prepare is to work through the official practice items and past exams above, then identify which grade-level standards still need reinforcement.
Prepare for the SOL Test with Daniel Math Academy
We help students fill gaps against grade-level SOL standards and build familiarity with real test-item formats.