What is the NSW OC test? A plain-English guide for parents

The Opportunity Class Placement Test (usually called the OC test) is the test NSW public schools use to offer places in opportunity classes: Year 5 and Year 6 classes for academically gifted students, held in selected public primary schools.

Children sit the test in Year 4, for a place starting in Year 5 the following year. For entry in 2028, the test is on 11 and 12 May 2027 (each child attends one day only).

What is in the test?

The test is computer-based and taken at a test centre on department-provided computers. It has three sections:

There is no negative marking, so children should answer every question. Calculators are not allowed, but paper is allowed for working out.

Reading

Children read a range of texts, such as stories, poems and factual articles, and answer questions about meaning, vocabulary and how the text is put together. Some questions have several parts, for example choosing which sentence fills each gap in a text.

Mathematical Reasoning

These questions test how well children use maths to solve problems, not just whether they know facts. Many are multi-step word problems.

Thinking Skills

Thinking Skills questions need no special knowledge. They test critical thinking (judging arguments and conclusions) and problem solving (logic puzzles, patterns and spatial reasoning).

How are places offered?

According to the NSW Department of Education, places are offered based on test performance and the order of your school choices. You can list 1 to 4 opportunity class schools. Each choice is considered using test results alone; putting a school first does not give extra points. The result needed for an offer is different at each school, because it depends on how many children apply, how they perform and how many places there are.

From the 2027 intake, the department also offers an equal number of places to girls and boys in opportunity classes.

How can I help my child prepare?

• Start with the free official practice tests, which use the real test software.
• Build reading stamina with a wide range of books, including poetry and non-fiction.
• Practise explaining answers out loud: why is this the answer?
• Use timed practice closer to the test, so the clock feels familiar.

Try our free OC Mock Test 1. It follows the current format exactly, with full explanations for every answer.