OC test dates: Year 5 entry in 2028
4 min read ยท updated 2026-10-06
The Opportunity Class Placement Test is sat in Year 4 for a place in a Year 5 opportunity class (OC) in a NSW public primary school. For entry in 2028, children in Year 3 now will apply from late 2026 and sit the test in May 2027. Here are last cycle's exact dates and the expected timeline for the next one.
Last cycle: Year 5 entry in 2027
The Department's published dates for the cycle that has just finished:
- โ Applications: November 2025 to February 2026 (6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026)
- โ OC Placement Test: 8-9 May 2026 (each child attends one day)
- โ Make-up test: 22 May 2026
- โ Results: 9 September 2026
- โ Appeals deadline: 16 September 2026, 11:59pm
- โ Reserve offers decision deadline: 3 December 2026, 3pm
Expected timeline: Year 5 entry in 2028
The Department had not published dates for the 2028 intake when we checked. On the same pattern, expect:
- โ Early November 2026: applications open (Year 3 students in 2026)
- โ Late February 2027: applications close
- โ Mid-May 2027: OC Placement Test
- โ September 2027: results and offers
What the OC test covers
The OC Placement Test is computer-based and all questions are multiple choice. It has three components, each worth a third of the result. Unlike the selective high school test, there is no Writing component. Places are offered on test performance, with the same equity rules and equal places for boys and girls as selective high schools from 2027 entry.
- โ Reading: 14 questions (3 with several parts), 40 minutes
- โ Mathematical Reasoning: 35 questions, 40 minutes
- โ Thinking Skills: 30 questions, 30 minutes
How to use the time before May
- โ Term 4 of Year 3: reading widely and number fluency; short Thinking Skills puzzles.
- โ Terms 1 and 2 of Year 4: timed practice in each component and one full practice test a month.
- โ Two weeks before: rest, sleep and a practice run on a computer so the format is familiar.
FAQs
When is the OC test in 2027?๏ผ
Expected in mid-May 2027 for Year 5 entry in 2028. The last test ran on 8-9 May 2026.
When do OC applications open?๏ผ
Expected in early November 2026, closing in late February 2027.
When are OC results released?๏ผ
In September. For 2027 entry they came out on 9 September 2026.
Is there a writing test in the OC test?๏ผ
No. The OC test has Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills only, each worth a third.
Which year does my child sit the OC test?๏ผ
In Year 4, for a Year 5 opportunity class the following year.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-06.
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