Opportunity Class (OC) Guide
A comprehensive guide to the NSW Opportunity Class for Year 5 & 6.
Opportunity classes and how they work can be confusing. To help you, we have created a comprehensive guide about everything you need to know - from what they are, the application process, what is in the test and how results are calculated.
What are Opportunity Classes?
Opportunity Classes (OC) are accelerated classes within regular primary schools designed to accommodate for academically gifted students in Years 5 and 6. By grouping high achieving students together, these classes aim to provide a more challenging learning environment.
Students must undertake the Opportunity Class Placement Test during Year 4 in order to qualify for entry for an OC class in one of NSW’s public primary schools.
Is OC the Right Choice for my Child?
Many factors could influence whether or not an Opportunity Class is appropriate for your child’s education.
These classes provide peers who have similar academic capabilities, a high achieving environment where they can tackle more advanced materials, giving them an advantage in their future studies.
However, this academically challenging environment could potentially cause too much stress for younger children. In addition, not all schools offer OC streams so students may have to apply for a different school if they wish to enter an OC class.
In saying this, even if you are not sure the OC stream is right for your child, taking the test is always a great learning experience. If they do not enjoy the OC stream, they can leave and as long as their original school allows, re-enrol there. This will help students become more familiar with testing conditions and allow them to develop a better idea of what to expect in future exams such as the Selective Test and any private school scholarship test.
Who Can Apply for the OC Test
Wondering if your child can apply for an Opportunity Class? Here’s a quick guide:
Your child can apply if they are studying in:
NSW public schools
Non-government schools
Home education
Schools interstate or overseas
Residency Requirements
Before applying, make sure:
Your child and family will be living in NSW by the start of the school year.
If your child is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen/permanent resident, extra conditions may apply. Check official guidance on visa and enrolment requirements.
Not sure if you meet the conditions?
If you will meet all requirements before offers are released, you can still apply and your child can sit the placement test.
Just remember: offers will only be confirmed once all conditions are met.
Sitting the Test Interstate or Overseas
Ideally, the test should be taken in NSW.
If this isn’t possible, there are official options for interstate or overseas testing—check the relevant government page for details.
Is your child ready for the upcoming OC test?
Access our Free OC Test Mock Paper to help your child practice and boost confidence.
Applications for Opportunity Class (OC) placement for 2027 entry will be open from 6th November 2025 to 20th February 2026.
To be eligible for the 2026 OC Test for 2027 entry, you must register and apply via the Department of Education website.
Any updates will be first released on the Department of Education’s key dates.
ApplicationThe Application Process
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Parents or carers start by entering their own details to create an application account.
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Check your inbox for the verification email. Didn’t get it? Look in your junk folder or wait a few minutes.
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Use your account details to log in. Forgot your password? Click “Forgot Password” to reset it.
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Fill in the 8 sections of the application. Upload a photo of your child, which will be used on the Test Admission Ticket. Principals may also be asked to confirm photos. Saving progress does not mean submission.
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Click “Submit” when everything is complete. You will receive a confirmation email and dashboard notification. Even after submission, you can log back in to update documents or send messages—just check deadlines.
How to Apply for the OC Test in 5 Simple Steps
Applying for an Opportunity Class doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
A full list of steps for the application process can be found on the Department of Education website.
Deciding on the best school to send your child to is always a difficult decision due to all the factors that need to be considered. Here are the main points to consider to help your decision making process.
DISTANCE
One of the major factors to consider when making a decision is how far the school is from home. For Year 5 & 6 students, commuting for long periods of time can be a huge concern, from coordinating transport to having to wake up earlier to get to school in time.
Below is a map of schools that offer OC classes.
Choosing the Right School
SCHOOL RANKING
Although the rankings for school vary year to year, it is a good idea to refer to previous years’ rankings to determine the quality of schools. Schools with higher academic rankings in standardised tests such as NAPLAN will have higher demand, and as a result higher entry scores and rank. Many of the top performing primary schools generally float around the same rank each year, making it easier to estimate how difficult it will be to get into that school.
YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC CAPABILITIES
In order to choose the most appropriate school preferences for your child, it is important to choose schools that have an entry score that matches what you expect your child to achieve in the exam. This gives your child a higher chance of entering an OC class.
Of course, your child’s opinion is also extremely important when making the decision for where they spend the last two years of primary school. While they may not have strong opinions about the academic side of things, they may prefer specific schools because of friends, extra curricular activities offered or may not want to move schools.
For more information on choosing schools, read our blog How to Choose the Right OC or Selective School for your Child.
If you would like to discuss what the best options for your child are, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
Is your child ready for the 2026 OC test?
Book a free trial with Alpha One and discover how our small group classes and personalised support can boost your child’s results and confidence.
The TestThe OC Test
The 2026 OC Test will be held on Friday 8th - Saturday 9th of May for 2027 entry. The make-up test will take place on Friday May 22nd, 2026.
The test will be a three part paper-based multiple choice examination:
Reading (30 minutes) - 13 questions (2 questions have multiple parts to answer)
Mathematical Reasoning (40 minutes) - 35 questions
Thinking Skills (30 minutes) - 30 questions
Each section will be tested in the order as listed above with short breaks between them. Questions from each subject will be at a higher level of difficulty than what students will be used to seeing at their primary school.
READING
The first two sections of the reading exam will consist of two reading comprehension articles of different genres/text types including science fiction, poetry, visual texts, news reports, and non-fiction. This is followed by a cloze passage where students must fill in missing sentences of a full passage using the options provided. The final section presents four excerpts written about a common theme. The student will then have to answer which of the four best fits in each of the questions asked.
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Identifying the text types and time period/context the piece was written will help in understanding what the author is trying to say as well as what some of the hidden meanings could be. Summarising texts to grasp key concepts are also a great way to save time in the exam.
For more tips and tricks to best tackle the reading section, read our blog Analysing Different Text Types.
MATHEMATICAL REASONING
The Mathematical Reasoning exam will examine a variety of topics including fractions, ratios, volumes and percentages. While students may have encountered all of the topics at school, the questions in the OC Test may be at a higher level of difficulty than the questions they have attempted before.
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When attempting a question, identify which topic it is examining and write down the relevant formula. Be careful of units and always write all your working out (even though it isn't marked) to help keep track and prevent calculation errors.
THINKING SKILLS
The Thinking Skills section tests student’s critical thinking and problem solving abilities. This is split into two main components: numerical reasoning and logic based critical thinking. The numerical aspect will be very similar to a maths question, but the emphasis will be on problem solving. The logic based critical thinking questions will test the students’ understanding of arguments and ability to identify flaws in reasoning.
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Summarise each paragraph in the question and identify the main argument by examining the stance of the writer. Also make sure to look through all the answer options as you will often find that another answer is a better match than the one you originally thought.
Numerical reasoning questions in this section most likely do not require a high level of maths so it is key to not be thrown off by the question.
The Department of Education has released a sample paper which will be very similar to what is expected in the Opportunity Class placement test.
Alpha One offers three OC Preparation courses that are designed to help students tackle the OC Test. Find out more and claim your free trial today.
What to bring on the OC test day?
Wondering what to bring on the OC test day? Here’s a simple checklist to make sure your child is ready.
Printed Test Admission Ticket
Two 2B pencils, eraser & pencil sharpener
Clear bottle of water
School uniform (bring a hat and jumper for breaks or cool weather)
These items are not allowed:
Pens
Rulers
Calculators
Note paper
Dictionaries or other books
Smart watches, phones or other devices that compute, photograph, communicate or make a noise
Pencil cases.
For the full official list of items, please check the NSW Department of Education website.
How to prepare for the OC test?
Preparing for OC test can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These exams are competitive, but your child is still in their formative years. With the right approach, preparation can be effective without unnecessary stress. Here are some practical ways to support your child:
Practice Tests
Doing timed practice tests helps your child become familiar with the exam format, improve speed, and build stamina.
Try our free mock tests to get a feel for the real exam and see which areas need extra practice - link our mock test here
Prioritise Rest and Nutrition
Make sure your child gets enough sleep and eats balanced meals, especially as the exam approaches. A rested and well-nourished mind performs better.
Get Help When Needed
If your child is struggling with certain topics or feeling unsure about exam strategies, don’t wait until the last minute. A few sessions with a top tutor can make a big difference.
At Alpha One, our small group classes (max 8 students) combine personalised attention with peer motivation, covering English, Maths, Writing, Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills. We provide 1-on-1 after-class parent feedback across 5 campuses and online, supporting thousands of OC & Selective students.
Emotional Support
Create a positive, open environment at home.
Remind your child that their worth is not defined by a single test score, the exam is just one step in their learning journey.
Balanced Study Routine
Encourage short, focused study sessions with regular breaks, light exercise, or hobbies in between.
Keeping a clear plan with practice tests, key deadlines, and exam dates helps reduce stress and gives your child a sense of control.
Use Available Resources
Access Alpha One’s free mock tests to practice at home.
Join our OC parent community.
Explore our OC tutoring courses starting with your free trial - if your child needs additional support, small, targeted sessions can make preparation more effective and less stressful.
Calculation of Entry Scores.
The calculation of entry scores have been revamped many times over the past few years. Currently, the NSW Department of Education has not released how they are calculating the scores in the future.
The current report conveys your child’s performance by placing your child in one of four bands for each subject:
Top 10% of all students
The next 15%
The next 25%
The bottom 50%
For more specific information regarding the release of results, visit the NSW Government Education page on outcome information.
Parents are able to select four school choices in order of preference in the application. Students will receive an offer from only one school - this will be whichever school their results qualify for and is listed as the higher preference. If their results do not qualify for any of the schools on their preference list, they will not receive an offer.
Gender Parity Model for Opportunity Classes
From 2027, Opportunity Classes will offer an equal allocation of places between girls and boys.
This change was introduced in response to a decline in applications and acceptances from girls, which has led to a growing gender imbalance in Opportunity Classes.
This means that in classes with an even number of places, 50% will be offered to girls and 50% to boys.
For classes with an odd number of places available, the final place will be allocated to the student with the next highest mark, regardless of gender.
Example:
If a class has 15 places:
7 places will be allocated to boys
7 places will be allocated to girls
1 place will be allocated purely on academic merit
If any boys’ or girls’ places remain unfilled, they will be offered to eligible students of the opposite gender, based on placement test results.
Gender-diverse students will be considered based on their performance in the OC Test.
If their score is higher than the lowest qualifying student of either gender, they will be offered a place.
The Equity Placement Model
The equity placement model is a recently introduced policy which aims to provide fairer access to under-represented groups of students in the OC and Selective Tests. Only 20% of spots will be reserved for students who have not been offered a place, have scores within 10% of the minimum first round entry score and are a part of these following groups:
Students from low socio-educational advantage backgrounds (10% of available spots)
Aboriginal students (5% of available spots)
Students from remote areas (2.5% of available spots)
Students with disabilities (2.5% of available spots)
There is any additional 5% allocated to students who were unable to sit the test on the exam date due to legitimate reasons.
For more information on how this entire process works, read our blog on the equity placement model.
Want to know which OC schools your child might get into?
Try our OC Test Calculator to see possible results based on entry scores.
After the testResults.
If your child’s marks are sufficient for the entry of an OC stream, directions to accept the offer will also be provided around late September. Generally, there is a two week period to accept offers online, however, some cases (eg. receiving results by phone) may require a faster acceptance time. If the position is not accepted in time, the non-response is registered as a declination of the offer.
A reserve list is a list of students who have just missed out on the entry requirements. If a student who has received an offer decides that they will not accept the offer, the first person on the reserve list will be contacted and offered that spot. This continues down the reserve list until all vacancies are filled and accepted.
If your child has been placed on the reserve list, the performance report will display this information along with a general estimate of how long it may take to receive an offer for the school. This is represented through the following reserve bands*:
A = within 1 month of the outcome notification
B = within 2 months of the outcome notification
C = within 3 months of the outcome notification
D = after 3 months from the outcome notification
E = unlikely to get an offer
*Please note that reserve bands are based on when students in similar positions were given offers during the previous year’s placement process. There is no guarantee that an offer will be made during this estimated time period as the number and timing of declined offers are not necessarily the same year to year.
For more insight into how long it takes to receive an offer from a school, here is the 2024 OC reserve list progression.
What is a Reserve List?
While it may be disappointing to see your child miss out on a spot for an OC stream, there are many opportunities ahead in later years. If they continue to work hard, they may be able to achieve a high mark in the Selective Test which determines which Selective High School they are able to attend. This selection process is generally easier to enter compared to OC as there are more vacancies - schools will be admitting entire grades as opposed to a single class.
What to do if your child is not accepted?
We offer a range of course to help your child prepare for the OC Test, including Foundations, WEMT (Writing, English, Maths and Thinking Skills) and Trial Test Courses. To find out more and get your free trial, visit our OC Test Preparation Courses page.
What We Offer
OC Test Preparation - Years 3 & 4
WEMT Classes (Writing, English, Maths, Thinking Skills)
Small group classes building core OC skills in Writing, English, Maths, and Thinking . Personalised 1-on-1 feedback helps students gain confidence and mastery.
OC Trial Test Classes
Simulated computer-based tests in Reading, Maths, and Thinking Skills, with detailed reviews and actionable performance reports to improve speed, accuracy, and exam strategy.
Foundations Classes
Bridge schoolwork and OC content with targeted support in literacy, maths, and writing. Small classes provide personalised guidance to prepare for WEMT and OC Test success.
Selective Test Preparation - Years 4-6
WEMT Classes
Years 4–6: Writing, English, Maths, Thinking Skills. Small classes with personalised guidance to build strong foundations for the Selective Test.
STTC Classes
Fortnightly computer-based Selective Test practice with tutor-led reviews and detailed performance reports.
Intensive English
Focused Reading and Writing practice, vocabulary, grammar, and exam strategies to boost Selective Test performance.
Foundations Classes
Targeted support in core subjects to bridge schoolwork and Selective Test requirements before joining WEMT classes.
High School Courses (Alpha One x Knoji)
In partnership with Knoji, Alpha One offers small group English and Mathematics classes for Years 6–12.
These programs provide personalised support, exam practice, and study resources to help students succeed at every stage of high school.