Your guide to mastering the OC Test and securing a spot in a top school.
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The OC Test is a competitive examination designed to assess the academic aptitude of Year 4 students in New South Wales, Australia. Administered by the NSW Department of Education, this test determines entry into OC classes, which provide an enriched educational environment for academically gifted students.
The OC Test is comprised of multiple components, including sections on Reading, Mathematics, and Thinking Skills, all aimed at measuring a student’s critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and academic proficiency. Thousands of applicants each year vie for limited spots, making thorough preparation essential for success.
Admission to an OC class is a significant achievement. These classes provide students with advanced resources, high-quality teaching, and a learning environment that fosters academic excellence. They are known for consistently achieving top marks in state-wide and national testing. Entry into such classes opens doors to a world of opportunities, from advanced learning programs to academic scholarships and beyond.
The OC Test is divided into several key sections, each designed to assess different aspects of a student's academic ability. Here's a breakdown of the test structure:
This section tests a student's ability to understand, interpret, and evaluate written passages. It includes various types of texts, from fiction to non-fiction, and focuses on a range of skills such as vocabulary understanding, literal and inferential comprehension, and the ability to analyse the text.
The Mathematics section evaluates a student's understanding of numerical concepts, ranging from basic arithmetic to more complex topics like algebra, geometry, and data interpretation. Problem-solving and the application of logical thinking are critical in this section.
This section tests a student's reasoning and logic skills through a series of verbal and non-verbal questions. Thinking Skills questions may include patterns, sequences, analogies, and other problems that require abstract thinking and fast decision-making.
Preparing for the OC Test requires focus, discipline, and a strategic approach. Here are some essential tips to help students maximise their chances of success:
Remember, preparation for the OC Test is not just about hard work; it's about working smart. Stay organised, focused, and motivated as you approach the test date.
Take a look at our detailed breakdown of online OC Test preparation platforms before making the important decision of who to continue with.
See Detailed Comparison of Online PlatformsTake a look at our detailed breakdown of tutoring centres before making the important decision of who to continue with.
See Detailed Comparison of Tutoring CentresMastering the OC Test requires not only academic knowledge but also a well-rounded strategy tailored to the test’s structure. Here, we provide in-depth preparation strategies to help students approach each section with confidence and optimise their chances of success.
The Reading Comprehension section is designed to assess a student’s ability to read and comprehend complex passages quickly and accurately. To excel, students should:
Reading is weighted as 33.33% of your final weighted percentile, making this section important.
The Mathematics section tests a broad range of mathematical concepts, from arithmetic to advanced problem-solving. Here’s how students can prepare effectively:
Mathematical Reasoning is weighted as 33.33% of your final weighted percentile, making this section important.
Thinking Skills questions challenge a student's logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to recognise patterns. These tips will help sharpen skills for this section:
Thinking Skills is weighted as 33.33% of your final weighted percentile, making this section very important.
The OC Test is an examination held annually in New South Wales, designed to assess the academic capabilities of students seeking placement in Opportunity Classes (OC). It is intended for Year 4 students aiming to enter Year 5 in these classes. The test measures a range of skills across various subjects to determine a student’s eligibility for OC admission.
The OC Test comprises three sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills. Each section evaluates different aspects of a student’s academic ability:
Each year, thousands of students in New South Wales apply to take the OC Test, but only a limited number of spots are available across the state's Opportunity Classes. This makes the competition for entry highly competitive, with students needing to perform at a high level across all test sections.
The test is scored based on each student's performance in the three sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills. Raw scores are converted to standardised scores to ensure fairness across different test versions. These combined scores are used to determine a student’s ranking for placement in OC classes.
To be eligible for OC placement, students must be in Year 4 when they sit the OC Test and demonstrate high academic achievement. Selection is determined by a ranking system, with the highest-ranked students offered places in OC classes.
Students preparing for the OC Test should focus on enhancing their skills in reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and critical thinking. Preparation can include practicing past papers, timed mock tests, and developing strong problem-solving techniques.
The OC Test is held annually, typically in July, at designated test centers across New South Wales. Students are notified of their test venue upon successful registration. The results of the test are usually released a few months later, and students are informed of their placement offers by September.
After the test, the results are compiled and ranked. Students receive a placement outcome, which may include offers to attend an OC class, depending on their performance and available spots. If a student does not receive an initial offer, they may be placed on a reserve list for their preferred school.
While the OC Test is the primary pathway for entry into Opportunity Classes, students who do not receive an offer may still be placed on a reserve list, and additional spots may open up as others decline offers. It’s important to monitor your ranking and offers after the test.
OC classes are offered in select government primary schools across New South Wales. These classes are tailored to provide a challenging and enriched curriculum for academically gifted students.
If a student is not successful in gaining a placement in an OC class, they will continue in their current school or another local school. Students who do not receive an initial offer may still be placed on a reserve list for potential offers if spots become available.
Yes, accommodations are available for students with special needs taking the OC Test. These accommodations are designed to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to perform to their best ability. Parents or guardians must apply for these adjustments during the application process, providing documentation of the student’s needs.
Yes, students can change their preferences for OC classes after submitting their application, but this must be done within the designated period before the test. After this period, changes to preferences are typically not allowed. It is important for students and parents to carefully consider their choices before submitting them.
OC classes differ from regular public school classes in that they cater to students with high academic ability. Admission is based on merit, primarily through the OC Test. These classes often have a more challenging curriculum, tailored to students who are academically gifted. OC classes provide an environment that fosters academic excellence and typically offer enhanced resources, extracurricular activities, and opportunities for leadership development.
Below is a detailed table of all OC Schools in New South Wales, including the number of available spots for each school. This information is essential for students and parents planning their applications for the OC Test.
| School Name | Location | Available Spots |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra Park Community School | Alexandria | 30 |
| Alstonville Public School | Alstonville | 15 |
| Armidale City Public School | Armidale | 15 |
| Artarmon Public School | Artarmon | 30 |
| Ashfield Public School | Ashfield | 30 |
| Aurora College | Virtual (Rural/Remote) | 100 |
| Balgowlah Heights Public School | Balgowlah | 15 |
| Balmain Public School | Balmain | 30 |
| Bathurst West Public School | Bathurst | 15 |
| Beecroft Public School | Beecroft | 30 |
| Biraban Public School | Toronto | 15 |
| Blacktown South Public School | Blacktown | 15 |
| Blaxcell Street Public School | Granville | 30 |
| Blaxland East Public School | Blaxland East | 30 |
| Bradbury Public School | Bradbury | 15 |
| Brookvale Public School | Brookvale | 15 |
| Camden South Public School | Camden | 15 |
| Caringbah North Public School | Caringbah | 15 |
| Casula Public School | Casula | 15 |
| Cessnock West Public School | Cessnock | 15 |
| Chatswood Public School | Chatswood | 30 |
| Colyton Public School | Mount Druitt | 15 |
| Coonabarabran Public School | Coonabarabran | 15 |
| Cudgegong Valley Public School | Mudgee | 15 |
| Dubbo West Public School | Dubbo | 15 |
| Dural Public School | Dural | 30 |
| Earlwood Public School | Earlwood | 30 |
| Ermington Public School | West Ryde | 30 |
| Georges Hall Public School | Georges Hall | 15 |
| Glenbrook Public School | Glenbrook | Not available in 2025 |
| Goonellabah Public School | Goonellabah | 15 |
| Gosford Public School | West Gosford | 30 |
| Goulburn West Public School | Goulburn | 15 |
| Greenacre Public School | Greenacre | 15 |
| Greystanes Public School | Greystanes | 30 |
| Harrington Street Public School | Cabramatta | 15 |
| Holsworthy Public School | Holsworthy | 15 |
| Hurstville Public School | Hurstville | 60 |
| Illaroo Road Public School | Nowra | 15 |
| Ironbark Ridge Public School | Rouse Hill | 30 |
| Jewells Primary School | Jewells | 15 |
| Kingswood Public School | Kingswood | 15 |
| Leumeah Public School | Leumeah | 15 |
| Lindfield East Public School | East Lindfield | 15 |
| Lithgow Public School | Lithgow | 15 |
| Maroubra Junction Public School | Maroubra | 15 |
| Matthew Pearce Public School | Baulkham Hills | 30 |
| Mona Vale Public School | Mona Vale | 30 |
| Neutral Bay Public School | Neutral Bay | 30 |
| North Rocks Public School | North Rocks | 30 |
| Penrith Public School | Penrith | 15 |
| Picnic Point Public School | Picnic Point | 15 |
| Port Macquarie Public School | Port Macquarie | 15 |
| Quakers Hill Public School | Quakers Hill | 30 |
| Richmond Public School | Richmond | 30 |
| Rutherford Public School | Rutherford | 15 |
| Ryde Public School | Ryde | 30 |
| Smithfield Public School | Smithfield | 15 |
| Soldiers Point Public School | Soldiers Point | 15 |
| South Grafton Public School | South Grafton | 15 |
| St Andrews Public School | St Andrews | 15 |
| St Clair Public School | St Clair | 15 |
| St Johns Park Public School | St Johns Park | 15 |
| Sturt Public School | Wagga Wagga | 15 |
| Summer Hill Public School | Summer Hill | 30 |
| Sutherland Public School | Sutherland | 30 |
| Tahmoor Public School | Tahmoor | 15 |
| Tamworth Public School | Tamworth | 15 |
| Tamworth South Public School | Tamworth | 15 |
| Tighes Hill Public School | Tighes Hill | 15 |
| Toongabbie Public School | Toongabbie | 15 |
| Toormina Public School | Toormina | 15 |
| Wahroonga Public School | Wahroonga | 15 |
| Waitara Public School | Waitara | 30 |
| Wentworth Falls Public School | Wentworth Falls | 15 |
| Wilkins Public School | Marrickville | 30 |
| Wollongong Public School | Wollongong | 30 |
| Woollahra Public School | Woollahra | 30 |
| Wyong Public School | Wyong | 30 |
| Feature | testacademy.com.au | selectivetests.com.au | selectivetrial.com.au | braindocacademy.com.au | oztests.com.au |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised Learning Features | Yes, personalised weekly study schedules and weekly performance summaries | Offers a structured study plan | Detailed course selection options | Just fixed test packages | Just fixed test packages |
| Writing Feedback | Yes, unlimited with detailed feedback on writing, personalised exemplars, and literary technique analysis | Writing feedback provided | Yes, offers basic writing feedback for select packages | No | No |
| Practice Questions | Large question bank with very detailed question explanations | Moderate question bank, focused on selective and OC exams | Large question bank with very detailed question explanations | Smaller bank of questions with great question explanations | Many full-length tests for various exams |
| Analytics & Progress Tracking | Advanced analytics, real-time performance tracking, and percentiles against other students | Basic performance tracking, lacks detailed analytics | Useful raw score reports (but outdated), no detailed progress insights | Progress reports and percentiles against other students | Basic progress reports |
| Free Trials or Free Resources | Yes, includes full-length free tests and marked writing | Free sample tests provided | Limited free trial, includes sample tests | No free trials | Free full-length tests available |
| Price Range | Moderate price per test | Moderate price per test | Expensive price per test | Expensive price per test | Expensive price per test |
| Support | WhatsApp, Messenger, Email | Phone and Email | Phone and Email | WhatsApp, Messenger, Email | |
| Consultations | Video calls for educational advice | No | No | No | No |
After evaluating all the platforms, testacademy.com.au emerges as the top choice for its comprehensive and personalised approach. With personalised study plans, detailed progress analytics, extensive question banks, and mobile optimisation, it provides a holistic solution for OC School Test preparation. While other platforms offer some useful features, none match the complete package and adaptability of testacademy.com.au.
| Feature | Success Tutoring | Alpha One | James An | Scholola | Pre-Uni New College | NumberWorks'nWords | North Shore Coaching College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised Tutoring | Yes, highly individualised | Yes, focused on OC school preparation | No, large class format | Yes, adaptive and tailored tutoring | No, fixed group lessons | Yes, individualised learning programs | Yes, some personalisation but mainly group-based |
| Qualified Tutors | Yes, trained and experienced educators | Yes, but varies by subject | Experienced, but not all certified | Yes, specialists in different fields | Yes, selective entry students | Yes, qualified educators | Yes, highly qualified, selective tutors |
| Class Sizes | Small, 1:1 or very small groups | Small groups, max 4 students | Larger, up to 25 students per class | Small group or 1:1 | Larger classes, typically over 20 students | Small groups or 1:1 | Larger classes, typical for coaching centers |
| Programs Offered | K-12, HSC, Selective, and OC prep | Selective, OC, and scholarship prep | Selective schools and OC exams | All subjects, K-12, including creative fields | Selective schools, HSC, and OC prep | Maths and English, primary through high school | Selective, OC, and HSC prep |
| Learning Environment | Encouraging, growth-oriented | Focused on academic achievement | Highly competitive, exam-focused | Student-centered, collaborative | Competitive, geared toward selective entry | Supportive, focused on building confidence | Highly competitive, focused on excellence |
| Price Range | Moderate, flexible pricing options | Higher end, premium service | Moderate to high, depending on course | Affordable, custom pricing | Moderate to high | Moderate, custom packages | Moderate, varies by program |
| Free Trial or Initial Consultation | Yes, free consultation and assessment | No, paid trial lessons | No trial, fixed programs | Yes, free consultation | No, paid trial programs | Yes, free assessment offered | No, paid trial sessions |
| Locations | Multiple locations across Sydney and online | Mainly in selective hubs, i.e. Parramatta | Several locations in Sydney suburbs | Multiple locations and fully online | Primarily in urban locations | Multiple Sydney locations, also online | Many locations across Sydney suburbs |
After comparing the various tutoring centres, Success Tutoring and Scholola stand out for their personalised learning approaches, small class sizes, and strong focus on student development. Both centres offer highly individualised support, making them the top choices for students aiming for academic success in a nurturing environment.
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Get Started →Results for the OC Test are released via email and on the NSW Department of Education’s online portal. Outcome notifications will include:
Offers are extended until all available places in Opportunity Classes are filled. Students who do not receive an immediate offer may be placed on a reserve list.
Admission to OC classes is highly competitive, with only a limited number of spots available each year. Students who score within the top percentiles are more likely to secure a place. The percentile-based system ranks students based on their relative performance compared to the entire cohort sitting the test.
The OC Test includes the following sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills. Student performance in each section is compared with other test-takers, and the results are expressed as percentiles:
The OC Test does not provide raw scores, but percentile rankings help families understand where their child stands relative to other candidates. A detailed breakdown of each section's performance is available upon request.
The final placement score is based on weighted scores from each section of the test:
For example, if a student scores:
The weighted score can be calculated as follows:
The final score would be the sum of these weighted scores: 30 + 28.33 + 26.67 = 85. This score would then be compared to other candidates.
Disclaimer: This is a sample calculation and actual final percentiles depend on the strength of the cohort and test difficulty for that particular year.
Example of a percentile-based outcome report.
Students who do not receive an immediate offer may be placed on a reserve list. If a spot opens later, they may still receive an offer, usually up until the beginning of Year 5. Accepting a place from the reserve list cancels any previous offers.
The OC Test results are crucial in determining a student’s eligibility for placement in an Opportunity Class. By focusing on percentile rankings and understanding where a student stands among their peers, families can better assess their chances of securing a place in these prestigious programs.
Learn more about the OC School Test, the application process, and how results are processed through this informative video provided by the NSW Department of Education.
When using this calculator, take the minimal percentile of the band that you got for each section for a conservative output.
If you are confident that you performed better than the minimum, gradually increase it for better accuracy.
Final Weighted Percentile:
Prediction:
Based on top Year 5 NAPLAN results, some of the best OC Schools include: Matthew Pearce, North Rocks, Beecroft, Artarmon, Dural, Ryde, Waitara.
This calculator is for indicative purposes only. Reserves are not considered.
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