NSW Opportunity Class
(OC) Test Preparation
Complete OC test preparation for Year 5 entry. Full mock tests, 1,400+ practice questions, Strategy Lab, Mental Maths drills, daily vocabulary, and revision on every mistake, all tailored for the OC test format and difficulty.
No credit card required • Full access • Cancel anytime
What is the NSW OC Test?
The NSW Opportunity Class (OC) Placement Test is a competitive entry test sat by Year 4 students for placement into Year 5 Opportunity Class programs. It is computer-based, runs for 110 minutes across three sections (Reading 14 questions/40 min, Mathematical Reasoning 35 questions/40 min, Thinking Skills 30 questions/30 min), and has no writing component. There are 1,840 places available across 89 opportunity classes in NSW, plus 100 places at Aurora College for rural and remote students.
Inside the OC Test
The OC test runs for 110 minutes across three sections. There is no writing component.
Mathematical Reasoning
35 questions • 40 minutes
Five answer options (A to E). Covers number, algebra, fractions, money, geometry, time, data and probability, calibrated for Year 4 level.
Thinking Skills
30 questions • 30 minutes
Four answer options (A to D). Covers deductive logic, conditional logic, arrangement puzzles, evaluating arguments, and spatial reasoning.
Reading
14 items • 40 minutes
Four answer options (A to D). Single prose extract, poetry comprehension, sentence-insertion cloze, and thematic 4-extract matching.
Important: The OC test does NOT have a writing component (unlike the NSW Selective High School test).
OC Test Key Dates (2027 Entry)
These are the official NSW Department of Education dates for students applying to start Year 5 OC class in 2027.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 6 November 2025 |
| Applications close | 20 February 2026 |
| OC Placement Test | Friday 8 - Saturday 9 May 2026 |
| Make-up test (illness or misadventure only) | Friday 22 May 2026 |
| Last day to update preferences | 5 June 2026 |
| Results released | Late September 2026 (TBC) |
| Year 5 OC starts | Term 1, 2027 |
Apply at the official NSW Department of Education portal:
shsoc.education.nsw.gov.auFor 2028 OC entry: Applications expected to open in November 2026. Test expected in early May 2027. Exact dates have not yet been announced by the NSW Department of Education.
Built for the OC Test, Not Generic Test Prep
Every feature is tailored to the OC test format and Year 4 difficulty level.
Strategy Lab for OC
Named strategies that teach your child how to think through every OC question type, covering reading inference, mathematical reasoning, and thinking skills.
- Step-by-step worked examples for every OC strategy
- 5-stage mastery system with 80% accuracy gates
- Calibrated to Year 4 OC difficulty
Mental Maths for Speed
The OC test gives just over a minute per maths question. Build the mental calculation speed your child needs through daily timed drills.
- Named mental calculation strategies
- Timed drills (1, 2, 5 or 10 minute sessions)
- Speed and accuracy tracked separately
Daily Vocabulary
OC reading rewards strong vocabulary. Your child learns 10 new words every day with sentence practice and quizzes.
- 10 new words every day (never repeats)
- Personal vocabulary bank with mastery tracking
- Sentence writing and quiz reinforcement
Everything Else for OC Test Success
From daily practice to full mock tests, every feature is OC-tailored.
1,400+ OC Practice Questions
Reading, mathematical reasoning, and thinking skills questions calibrated to the real OC test format and Year 4 difficulty level.
Personalised Daily Study Plan
Every day we tell your child exactly what to practise based on their target OC test date and weak areas. No decision fatigue, just steady progress.
Full-Length OC Mock Tests
Computer-based mock tests that mirror the real OC test: 35 maths (A to E options), 30 thinking skills, 14 reading items, 110 minutes total. Section-level scoring.
Revision: Master Every Wrong Answer
Every wrong answer is saved. Re-attempt them anytime, practise similar questions on the same concept, and watch the "mastered" count rise.
Saved Questions & Practice Similar
Bookmark any tricky question and generate similar ones to practise the same concept. Build mastery, not memorisation.
Parent Dashboard
See exactly which OC topics your child is strong in and where they need more work. Topic and subtopic level analytics across every section.
OC Test vs Selective High School Test
Two different tests, different year groups, different formats.
| OC Test | Selective Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Sat by | Year 4 students | Year 6 students |
| For entry to | Year 5 OC class | Year 7 Selective HS |
| Total time | 110 minutes | 155 minutes |
| Sections | Maths, Thinking, Reading | Maths, Thinking, Reading, Writing |
| Maths options | A to E | A to E |
| Writing component | No | Yes (30 min) |
Preparing for the Selective High School test instead?
View Selective Test PrepFrequently Asked Questions
What is the NSW Opportunity Class (OC) test?
The NSW Opportunity Class Placement Test is a competitive entry test administered by the NSW Department of Education. It is sat by Year 4 students applying for placement into Year 5 Opportunity Class programs in NSW public primary schools. Opportunity classes are dedicated programs for high potential and gifted students in Year 5 and 6.
When is the NSW OC test in 2027?
The most recent OC test was held on 8 and 9 May 2026 (for Year 5 entry in 2027). The next OC test, for entry in 2028, has not been officially announced yet, but based on previous years it is expected in early May 2027, held over a Friday and Saturday with students allocated to one day only. The NSW Department of Education confirms the exact dates closer to the time.
Who can sit the OC test?
Students currently in Year 4 (or end of Year 3) can sit the OC test, for entry into Year 5 the following year. Students must be aged between 9 years 5 months and 11 years at the time they start Year 5. Applicants can attend a NSW public school, non-government school, home study, interstate school, or overseas school, but families must be living in NSW by the start of the school year of entry.
What does the OC test cover?
The OC test has three sections: Reading (14 questions, 40 minutes, A to D options), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes, A to E options), and Thinking Skills (30 questions, 30 minutes, A to D options). Total test time is 110 minutes. The OC test does not have a writing component.
Is the OC test computer-based?
Yes. The NSW Opportunity Class Placement Test is computer-based. Students complete all sections on a computer at the test centre. Students may use blank paper for working out but cannot use a calculator or dictionary.
How is the OC test different from the NSW Selective High School test?
The OC test is sat by Year 4 students for Year 5 OC entry, while the Selective test is sat by Year 6 students for Year 7 selective high school entry. The OC test has no writing component, uses A to E options for Maths (same as Selective Maths), and runs for 110 minutes total (vs 155 minutes for Selective). Both tests share the same application window (6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026 for 2027 entry) but have different test dates.
How many places are available in NSW Opportunity Classes?
There are 1,840 places available in Year 5 opportunity classes across 89 schools in NSW (57 metropolitan and 31 rural/regional), plus 100 places at Aurora College for rural and remote students (50 boys and 50 girls). Applicants can list up to 4 school choices in their application.
When are NSW OC test results released?
Results for the May 2026 OC test are scheduled to be released in late September 2026 (date to be confirmed by the NSW Department of Education). Selective High School results are released earlier, in late August.
How do I apply for an Opportunity Class?
Apply online at shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au, the official NSW Department of Education portal. For 2027 entry (May 2026 test), applications opened on 6 November 2025 and closed on 20 February 2026. The parent or carer should register and submit the application, not the child.
What is the Equity Placement Model for OC?
Up to 20 percent of places at each opportunity class are held for students from the following groups: low socio-educational advantage areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students from rural and remote areas, and students with disability. The aim is to increase participation from these groups while maintaining academic merit-based entry overall.
Source: NSW Department of Education official Selective High School and Opportunity Class pages.
Ready to start OC test preparation?
14-day free trial. No credit card required. Full access to all OC features.
Start Free Trial