If you've heard other parents in Ashburn Village, Broadlands, or Belmont Country Club mention "SOLs," you may have wondered what exactly they're talking about.
SOL stands for Standards of Learning. These are Virginia's statewide standards, and they describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and in each subject. Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), along with every other public school division in the state, teaches to these standards.
To measure progress, students take SOL tests in four core subjects: English, math, science, and history/social science. For math, that usually means a Virginia SOL math test each spring from 3rd through 8th grade, plus end-of-course tests in high school classes like Algebra I.
The good news? You don't need to be a math expert to help your child get ready. You just need to know what to look for. This checklist will help you see where your child stands now, while there's still time to build skills calmly.
What Parents Should Know About the Math SOL Right Now
The math SOL isn't the same test older siblings may have taken a few years ago. Here's a quick update.
New Math Standards Are in Place
Virginia adopted new math standards in 2023, the first full revision since 2016. The State Board of Education approved them unanimously, and schools began teaching them in the 2024-2025 school year. The first SOL math tests fully aligned to the new standards were given in Spring 2025.
The updated tests put more emphasis on higher-order thinking and on combining several skills in one problem. In other words, memorizing steps isn't enough. Students need to understand why the math works.
Passing Scores Are Changing This Year
SOL tests have been scored from 0 to 600, with 400 as the passing score. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, a 400 will no longer pass most reading and math SOL tests.
The change is gradual. Required scores, often called cut scores, will rise each year for four years, reaching their final levels in 2029-2030. A proposal to change that timeline was voted down in summer 2026, so the phase-in is moving ahead as planned.
During the transition, math and reading tests in grades 3–8 include a temporary "approaching" level. Students who score there still pass, but only proficient and advanced scores show full grade-level mastery. If your child's report says "approaching," think of it as a pass with room to grow, and a great topic for your next parent-teacher conference.
Virginia may also move SOL scores to a 100-point scale in the future, so reports could look different in coming years. Your child's school can explain exactly how scores will appear on their report.
The Parent's SOL Math Readiness Checklist
Answer each question with "yes" or "not yet." There's no score. Just notice where your child feels confident and where they hesitate.
Core Skills
Math facts: Can your child recall the facts for their grade (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) without counting on fingers?
Place value: Do they understand what each digit in a number means, including decimals for older students?
Fractions: Can they compare fractions and explain their thinking? For example, why is 3/4 bigger than 2/3?
Last year's skills: Are the basics from the previous grade still strong? Math builds on itself, so a small gap in 3rd grade can become a bigger one by 5th.
Problem-Solving and Reasoning
Word problems: Can your child read a problem and figure out what it's really asking?
Explaining their thinking: When you ask, "How did you get that?" can they walk you through it?
Graphs and data: Can they pull information from a chart or table and draw a simple conclusion?
Test-Day Readiness
Online format: Most students take SOL tests on a computer. Is your child comfortable typing answers, dragging items, and using on-screen tools?
Focus and stamina: Can they stay with a set of math problems without shutting down?
Confidence: Do they try tricky problems willingly, or say, "I'm just bad at math"?
Mostly "yes" answers? Great. A few "not yets"? That's completely normal, and you've caught them early, this is exactly what an assessment at our Ashburn-North center is designed to pinpoint, so you know precisely which skills to focus on before spring testing.
Practical Tips for Parents
Good SOL math prep doesn't have to mean long study sessions. These simple habits make a real difference.
Start small and start now. Ten to fifteen minutes of practice most days works better than long cram sessions in April.
Try the official practice items. The Virginia Department of Education offers free SOL practice items on its website. Working through one set together shows you what the questions look like and how your child handles the format.
Bring math into daily life. Have your child estimate the grocery total, figure out how long until soccer practice, or split a pizza into equal slices. These moments build number sense without feeling like homework.
Ask "why," not just "what." When your child gets an answer, ask them to explain it. That's exactly the kind of reasoning the new standards emphasize.
Stay connected with the teacher. Your child's teacher sees their work every day. A quick email asking, "What's one math skill we could practice at home?" can point you in the right direction.
Keep the tone positive. Kids pick up on our stress. Talk about the SOL as a chance to show what they've learned, not a make-or-break moment.
When Your Child May Need Extra Support
Every child has ups and downs in math. But these signs suggest it may be time for extra help:
Homework regularly ends in tears or frustration
They still count on fingers for facts they learned a grade or two ago
The same trouble spots keep showing up in grades or teacher comments
They avoid math or say they hate it
They can follow steps but can't explain why they work
Start with a conversation with your child's teacher. They know your child's work and may have in-school support or suggestions to share.
Some families also choose outside support that lets a child review earlier skills, close specific gaps, and build confidence at their own pace. The key is meeting your child where they are, not where the grade level says they should be.
Final Thoughts
The Virginia SOL math test is one snapshot of your child's learning, not the whole picture. With new standards in place and passing scores rising this year, the best preparation is steady, real understanding built over time.
Use this checklist as your starting point. Celebrate what's going well, keep an eye on what's shaky, and take small steps now. Fall is the perfect time to begin.
Wondering where your child stands in math? If you noticed a few "not yets" in the checklist above, especially around fractions, word problems, or explaining their thinking, that's exactly what an assessment at Eye Level Learning Center in Ashburn-North is built to uncover. We work with families throughout Ashburn Village, Broadlands, and Belmont Country Club, building strong math foundations through self-directed learning. Schedule your child's free assessment and see if Eye Level is a good fit before spring testing arrives.