Parent's Guide

OC vs Selective: which should your child sit?

They sound similar, but they're for different stages of school. Here's the plain-English difference — and how to decide which test matters for your child right now.

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The short answer

OC is a primary-school program; Selective is a high-school one. An Opportunity Class places academically capable students into a dedicated class for Years 5 and 6 — your child sits that test in Year 4. A Selective High School takes students from Year 7 onward — that test is sat in Year 6. Many NSW families prepare for both, a couple of years apart.

OC vs Selective at a glance

	Opportunity Class	Selective High
Full name	Opportunity Class (OC)	Selective High School
For which years	Years 5–6 (primary)	Years 7–12 (high school)
When your child sits the test	Year 4	Year 6
Entry into	Year 5	Year 7
Run by	NSW Department of Education	NSW Department of Education
What it leads to	A gifted class within a primary school	A fully or partially selective high school

What each test covers

Selective Placement Test

Computer-based (delivered via Janison / Cambridge) · about 2 hours 35 minutes. From 2026, the four components are equally weighted at 25% each.

Reading45 min · 17 questions (3 multi-part — 38 answer slots)

Mathematical Reasoning40 min · 35 questions

Thinking Skills40 min · 40 questions

Writing30 min · 1 typed response

The placement score is out of 120: a scaled test score (out of 100) plus a moderated school assessment score (out of 20).

OC Placement Test

Computer-based · about 1 hour 50 minutes.

Reading40 min · 14 questions (33 answers)

Mathematical Reasoning40 min · 35 questions (5-option multiple choice)

Thinking Skills30 min · 30 questions (4-option multiple choice)

No writing component. Placement combines the test result with a school-provided assessment score; the Department does not publish a per-component weighting. education.nsw.gov.au

How to decide which one matters now

Is your child in Year 4 now?

The OC Placement Test is the relevant one — it leads to an Opportunity Class for Years 5 and 6.

Is your child in Year 6 now?

The Selective High School Placement Test is the one to prepare for — it leads to Year 7 entry.

Can a child do both?

Yes. They are sequential, not either/or. Sitting OC is not required before Selective, and a place in one does not guarantee the other.

Keep reading

OC & Selective full guide →Thinking Skills test explained →Free readiness check →

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need to pass the OC test before sitting Selective?

No. They are independent. An Opportunity Class place is not required to sit the Selective High School test, and doing one does not guarantee the other.

Can my child sit both?

Yes — most commonly about two years apart: the OC test in Year 4 (for Year 5 entry) and the Selective test in Year 6 (for Year 7 entry).

Does the Selective test include writing?

Yes. From 2026 the Selective test has four equally-weighted components: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and a 30-minute typed Writing task. The OC test does not include a writing component.

Which test should we focus on right now?

It depends on your child’s year. In Year 4, prepare for the OC Placement Test. In Year 6, prepare for the Selective High School Placement Test.

Not sure where your child stands?

Take the free 8-minute readiness check — 10 questions across Maths, Reading and Thinking Skills, with an honest report emailed to you.

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Source: NSW Department of Education · education.nsw.gov.au