Academic / Standards of Learning (SOL)

Students must pass a certain number of Standards of Learning (SOL) end-of-course tests at the secondary level to earn “verified credits” that are required for a high school diploma in Virginia. A “verified credit” is earned by passing a course and its related SOL test.

The secondary courses that have an SOL test include:

English 11 includes 2 tests:
English Reading, Literature, & Research and English Writing
Algebra I (administered at the end of Algebra I and Algebra I, Part 2)

Geometry
Algebra II (administered at the end of Algebra II and Algebra II/Trigonometry)
Earth Science
Biology
Chemistry
World History & Geography I (to 1500 a.d.)
World History & Geography II (from 1500 a.d. to the present)
United States History

Most SOL tests are administered in May of the year that a student completes the associated course. The only exception is the English Writing test, which is administered in March.

If a student fails an SOL test, he/she will be offered the opportunity to retake the test on several occasions. Students who earn a score of 375-399 are allowed to retake the test during an expedited retake test session that occurs a few weeks following the regular test administration. All other students may retake an SOL test during the summer SOL administration or in a special SOL retake session that is held in December. Prior to these retake sessions, students will be offered the opportunity to participate in a variety of remediation activities to help them review for the test.

Students who transfer to Virginia from accredited private schools or public schools in other states will also participate in the December SOL testing program to earn verified credits for courses passed in their previous schools. These students also have modified verified credit requirements for graduation. To review those requirements, click here.

Last Modified on November 4, 2005