What is an OC class?
An Opportunity Class (OC) is a full-time NSW public school class for high potential and gifted students in Years 5 and 6.
- 2-year program (Year 5 to Year 6)
- Academic merit placement
- Available across NSW
OC Guide - Year 5 Entry (2027)
The OC process, explained like a smart Year 7 guide
Think of this as your game plan: what OC is, when things happen, what is in the test, how offers work, and where to practise. The goal is to make the whole process simple and less stressful.
Who applies and when?
For Year 5 entry, applications are made when students are near the end of Year 3 or at the start of Year 4.
- 2027 entry window: 6 Nov 2025 to 20 Feb 2026
- Students sit the test in Year 4
- Parents apply in the online dashboard
How are offers decided?
Offers depend on test performance and your school preference order. You can choose between 1 and 4 OC schools.
- One initial offer only
- Higher-choice reserve lists are possible
- No set minimum score is published
Fair access supports
The Equity Placement Model holds up to 20% of places for under-represented high potential and gifted students.
- Low socio-educational advantage backgrounds
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Rural/remote students and students with disability
Step-by-step timeline
Key dates you should track
These are the current dates for Year 5 entry in 2027. Official dates can change, so always double-check NSW key dates.
6 Nov 2025
Applications open
Families can submit the OC application for Year 5 entry in 2027.
20 Feb 2026
Applications close
Final day to apply for Year 5 OC entry in 2027.
April 2026
Admission ticket released
Test admission ticket is released around 2 weeks before test day.
Date is estimated (TBC)
8 or 9 May 2026
OC placement test
Students attend one test day only at their allocated test centre.
22 May 2026
Make-up test
For approved illness/misadventure cases.
5 Jun 2026
Last day to change school choices
After this date, school preferences cannot be updated.
Term 3, 2026
Placement outcomes released
Expected late September 2026 (TBC). Check dashboard and email alerts.
Date is estimated (TBC)
6 Nov 2025
Applications open
Families can submit the OC application for Year 5 entry in 2027.
20 Feb 2026
Applications close
Final day to apply for Year 5 OC entry in 2027.
April 2026
Admission ticket released
Test admission ticket is released around 2 weeks before test day.
Date is estimated (TBC)
8 or 9 May 2026
OC placement test
Students attend one test day only at their allocated test centre.
22 May 2026
Make-up test
For approved illness/misadventure cases.
5 Jun 2026
Last day to change school choices
After this date, school preferences cannot be updated.
Term 3, 2026
Placement outcomes released
Expected late September 2026 (TBC). Check dashboard and email alerts.
Date is estimated (TBC)
Test breakdown
What is inside the OC test?
The OC placement test is computer-based and has 3 equally weighted sections.
33.3% weighting
Reading
Format: 14 questions (33 answers)
Time: 40 minutes
Diverse texts and comprehension tasks. Includes multi-part questions, so accuracy and pace both matter.
33.3% weighting
Mathematical Reasoning
Format: 35 multiple-choice questions
Time: 40 minutes
Problem-solving using school maths knowledge. No calculator is allowed in any section.
33.3% weighting
Thinking Skills
Format: 30 multiple-choice questions
Time: 30 minutes
Critical thinking and problem solving. No prior topic memorisation is required.
Interactive
OC readiness calculator
Quick way to turn your latest practice paper into an easy progress snapshot.
Unofficial Tool
OC Practice Estimator
Enter your latest raw results to estimate your current practice level. This is not an official placement score.
Add all 3 section scores to see your estimated practice range.
Important: NSW does not publish set minimum entry scores, and parents are not given individual test scores or placement ranks in outcomes.
School choices and offers
How school preferences actually work
Choose between 1 and 4 schools
Put schools in your true preference order. Only list schools your child would actually attend.
First offer = highest eligible choice
If your child qualifies for more than one school, the initial offer comes from the highest-ranked choice only.
Reserve lists can lead to later offers
A student can be on reserve lists for higher-choice schools. Offers are possible if vacancies open, but not guaranteed.
Use the official map for school finding
OC locations, host schools, and updates are best checked on the NSW official school finder pages.
Official resources
Best places to prepare next
OC practice tests (official)
Timed online practice plus printable PDFs and answer explanations.
Open OC practice pageSelective practice tests (for later)
Keep this bookmarked now, so transition from OC prep to Selective prep is easier.
Open Selective practice pageParent guide PDF
Full NSW guide with application, test, equity model, and next steps.
Open parent guideSelective guide page (next build)
This OC page is built in a reusable card structure so we can ship the Selective guide page in the same format next.
One thing to remember
The OC test is not about memorising fancy content. It tests how you read, reason, think, and manage time under pressure. Build steady habits and stay calm.