Are Virginia SOL passing scores going up?

Yes — the Virginia Board of Education is phasing in higher SOL cut scores (the scaled score needed to pass) for reading and mathematics, beginning with the 2026–27 school year, as part of raising expectations across the state. The exact current-year cut score varies by subject and grade, so confirm it with your school division or the Virginia Department of Education.

Why do these SOL changes matter for my child?

Higher cut scores and greater weight on SOL results mean the margin for error is smaller than in past years, especially for high school end-of-course tests tied to verified graduation credits. Targeted practice on the specific standards a student is weak on matters more than ever.

Does Virginia still have pandemic learning loss?

Recovery is ongoing. State assessment data through 2025 has continued to show achievement gaps relative to pre-pandemic levels in several subjects, which is part of why the state is raising expectations and attaching more weight to SOL performance.

Virginia SOL Changes for 2026–27: Higher Cut Scores & 10% of Final Grade

Q: Do SOL scores count toward final grades in 2026–27?

According to reporting on Virginia's plan, SOL results are being tied more directly to student outcomes starting in 2026–27, including counting toward a portion of final grades in affected courses. Because implementation details vary, check with your school division for exactly how SOL results factor into grades this year.

The stakes on Virginia’s Standards of Learning tests are rising. Two changes phasing in around the 2026–27 school year— higher passing scores and SOL results carrying more weight — mean SOL preparation matters more than it has in years. Here’s what’s changing and why.

1. Higher SOL cut scores

The Virginia Board of Education is raising the cut scores— the scaled score a student needs to pass — for reading and mathematics, phased in starting in 2026–27. In practice that means a score that passed in a previous year may not clear the new bar, and a transitional “approaching” level is being used to bridge the change. As reported by outlets including Virginia Mercury, this is part of a broader push to raise academic expectations statewide. Confirm the exact current-year cut score for your child’s subject and grade with your school division or the Virginia Department of Education (doe.virginia.gov). See our SOL score chart guide for how the 0–600 scale and performance levels work.

2. SOL results carry more weight

Beyond passing thresholds, Virginia is tying SOL results more directly to student outcomes starting in 2026–27 — including counting toward a portion of final grades in affected courses, as covered in local reporting (for example, WAVY). For high school end-of-course tests, a passing score is also required to earn the verified credits needed for graduation. Because the specifics vary by division, ask your school exactly how SOL results factor into grades and credits this year.

3. Learning loss recovery is ongoing

The backdrop to these changes is a state still recovering from pandemic-era learning loss. Assessment data through 2025 has continued to show achievement gaps in several subjects relative to pre-pandemic levels — reporting from outlets such as The Washington Post has documented the uneven recovery. Rising expectations plus lingering gaps is exactly why targeted, standard-by-standard practice beats generic review.

What this means for how you prepare

With a higher bar and more weight on the outcome, guessing which topics to study is riskier. The efficient path: find the specific standards your student is weak on, then drill those.

Start with a free SOL practice test to surface weak spots.
Review the standards for the course so you know exactly what’s tested.
Use a standards-based study plan instead of re-reading everything.

This guide summarizes publicly reported changes for general information and is not official guidance. For authoritative, current details, consult the Virginia Department of Education (doe.virginia.gov) and your school division.