Starting this year, it will be harder to pass Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). On Sept. 25, 2025, the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) unanimously voted to raise the passing score for reading and math SOLs at both the primary and secondary levels. This change will take effect during the upcoming spring SOL testing period for Virginia students. 

Virginia SOLs are graded on a scale of 0 to 600, with the previous passing score, or cut score, being 400. However, the new cutoff for a passing score will range from 444 to 479 for reading SOLs and from 430 to 453 for math, depending on the grade level. Cut scores were originally based off proficiency standards from 2016 and 2017, but they were raised in 2023 and 2024. These advanced standards are reflected in the newly increased SOL cut scores. 

At a business meeting on Oct. 23, 2025, the VBOE postponed its vote on whether to adopt a four-year or five-year phased-in implementation plan for this proposal. The delay provides Virginia families with more time to give input and feedback about the higher proficiency requirements. The Board plans to revisit the vote during its November agenda. 

The revision aims to more closely align state cut scores with the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP), which is the nation’s benchmark of excellence. The VBOE believes that it will hold Virginia students to a higher standard and will help close the “honesty gap,” which is the difference in proficiency rates on state SOLs versus Virginia’s performance on the NAEP.  

According to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), “By modifying cut scores, the Board ensures that “proficient” reflects the skills and knowledge students need to be ready for success in college, career ready, or in military pathways after high school.”  

Public Opinion 

This decision by the VBOE has sparked some debate and controversy from Virginians. Many wonder how increased passing scores will affect students and their proficiency on SOLs. There has also been discussion that it may make testing more stressful for students. 

Angela Collis, an English teacher at Patriot High School, provides remediation for students who failed their SOL. She discusses how the new cut scores may affect student proficiency rate. “Initially, it will cause a decrease, and then perhaps. . . over time, it will cause an increase.”  

Collis also describes how the end-of-course reading SOL was changed last year to be more difficult, with longer passages and harder questions, but they had kept the 400-cut-off score. She explains that with the new passing mark, “you’re going to have that more difficult test, and you have to achieve higher to pass.”  

This has been a common concern with the recently elevated SOL passing score. Students that passed their SOL with a 400 in previous years would not reach the proficiency level this year and would fail if they got a 400. Failing end-of-course SOLs could delay or potentially prevent high school seniors from earning their required credits to graduate. 

However, current seniors will be exempt from the new cut scores because some have already taken their end-of-course SOLs for graduation credits. 

Furthermore, Lesley Kubicek, the coordinator of testing at Patriot High School, says that the new cut scores may have both positive and negative effects. She states that there are “a lot of scenarios,” such as students with learning disabilities or students that do not speak English as their first language. Kids in these groups may especially struggle with increased SOL proficiency requirements as they must score higher to pass.  

Kubicek additionally adds that the scores will “make American teens more competitive.” She explains that the idea behind raised cut scores is to help motivate teenagers to study harder and earn better results, although it is not guaranteed.  

Virginia SOL pass rates have increased moderately since 2020 but are still currently below pre-pandemic levels, which is another reason why new cut scores are being implemented. Before 2020, the pass rate for math SOLs were 82% and reading was 77%. 

Emily Ortiz, an English teacher at Patriot High School, believes that the modification of cut scores will negatively affect students. She says, “without a clear pathway to success, I think students are going to feel like high achievement is impossible.” She also adds that it will “have a negative impact on their feelings towards school and academics.”  

The new cut scores will affect the way students and teachers go about SOLs. Ortiz states that students may need to “extend learning beyond the classroom” to prepare for the upcoming changes.  

Additionally, Collis indicates that “reading and writing should be a skill that is embraced across all subjects” in order to help students prepare for SOLs.  

Student Response 

There have been varied student responses concerning the increase in SOL proficiency scores for spring testing. 

Patriot High School student Himani Ghosh (27’) states that she is nervous about her upcoming reading and writing SOL now that the scores will be raised. She adds, “Before, when the passing score was 400, I felt like I would have been fine.” 

Ghosh explains that students who value passing the SOL may feel more stress as the new scores set in. “If they potentially don’t pass, that can. . . negatively affect the student’s metal health.” 

However, The VDOE said that the initial drop in scores predicted to take place after implementation will help identify students that need support and resources in math and reading. Despite mixed reactions, the Board is confident that gradually, this change will help improve SOL scores across Virginia and provide higher standards for students. 

Overall, it is unclear how exactly the upcoming update in passing scores will ultimately affect Virginians. For now, schools and students should prepare for testing and be aware of this change.