NSW Opportunity Class Test Guide

Discover everything you need to understand, prepare for and succeed in the NSW Opportunity Class Test. From application tips to OC school selection, find all the guidance and resources in one place from our expert educators.

NSW Opportunity Classes & Key Information

Opportunity Classes (OCs) are offered by the NSW Education Department in NSW for high potential and gifted students in Year 5 and 6. These classes are available at a selected number of schools.

OC schools are highly sought after by parents and students, especially those wishing to compete for a Selective High School placement in Year 7 or position themselves for a private school scholarship.

OC entry is even more competitive than Selective High School as less than 2000 OC places are offered, with over 15,000 students applying for a place.

Parents apply for OC when students are at the end Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4 for a placement in Year 5.

OC is a 2-year program (Year 5 to 6). It is not possible to apply for Year 6 placement only.

There is an entry exam for the OC placements. The placement test is held in the beginning of May around the same time as the Selective High School Placement Test. The online test is held at a designated examination centre.

There are currently 89 opportunity classes in NSW with 57 in metropolitan Sydney and 31 in rural or regional centres.

20% of places in OCs are reserved under the Equity Model for students from under-represented backgrounds.

There are two types of opportunity classes:

  • Primary schools with full-time opportunity classes.
  • Aurora College – providing online opportunity classes for rural and remote students.

Learn more

Select the headings or icons below to explore each section.

Applying for an Opportunity Class (OC) placement in New South Wales involves a few steps. Here’s a breakdown to help you navigate the process:

  1. Check Your Eligibility
    • Your child must be in Year 3 (end of) or 4 (beginning of) at the time of application. They must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year of entry (Year 5). OC is not an option for those on Temporary Bridging Visas.
  2. Online Application
    • Applications are made online through the NSW Department of Education’s website. The application window opens in November and stays open until February. Keep an eye on the specific dates announced each year.
  3. Nominate Preferred Schools
    • As part of the application, you will nominate up to four schools with OC programs that you’d like your child to attend. A full list of schools is available here in this guide.
  4. Prepare for the Exam
    • Entry to an OC is competitive and most students who gain entry undertake an exam preparation program such as the one offered by The Swot Shop. An exam preparation program helps to build skills in Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills as well as practising speed and accuracy under timed test conditions.
  5. Sit the Placement Test
    • Your child will take the OC placement test, held in early May. This test assesses their skills in Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills.
  6. Receive the Results
    • Results are released in Term 3. You’ll receive information about your child’s performance and whether they’ve been offered a placement or placed on a reserve list.
  7. Accept the Offer
    • If your child is offered a place, you’ll need to accept the offer online by the deadline provided. You can also decline if you decide not to proceed.
  8. Prepare for the Transition
    • Once the offer is accepted, prepare your child for the move to their new school in Year 5. Schools usually provide orientation sessions to help students settle in.

Tips for Parents

  • Understand the Process: Familiarise yourself with the timelines and requirements early to avoid missing critical deadlines.
  • Choose Wisely: Research schools / opportunity classes carefully to determine which ones align best with your child’s needs, interests and their academic ability.
  • Prepare for the Exam: Encourage your child to prepare for the Opportunity Class Placement Test with practice tests and study materials and consider a specialised Exam Preparation Program through a provider such as The Swot Shop.
  • Stay Informed: Regularly check the NSW Education Department’s website for updates or changes to the process.

By staying proactive, informed and organised, you can help your child navigate the competitive opportunity class process with confidence.

At The Swot Shop we can help you prepare your child for the OC placement test and build their skills in core areas leading up to the exam. We also provide support and information along the way to take some of the stress out of the process for you and your child.

When applying for OC in NSW, you can nominate up to four schools, listed in order of preference. Importantly:

  • Your child will receive only one offer, and it will be for the highest-ranked school on your list for which they qualify based on their exam results.
  • If your child is eligible for more than one school, they will not receive multiple offers – only the top preference among them.

For this reason, your order of your list is crucial. Below we have provided helpful information to guide you in choosing the right schools for your child.

Schools offering Opportunity Classes

Currently the following classes are offering OCs:

The Department is currently increasing the number of schools offering OCs so keep a lookout on their website for changes and new schools coming onboard.

How to Prioritise Your School Choices

You can choose between 1 and 4 OC schools in your application:

  1. The school you want the most
  2. Your next preferred school (optional)
  3. Your next choice (optional)
  4. Your next choice (optional)

You should only choose schools you genuinely would like your child to attend.

The order of your school choices is important. This is because:

  • You cannot decline an offer to get a later offer from one of your lower-choice schools.

You should therefore make sure you choose the order of your schools carefully and select the school you want the most as your first-choice.

Remember that some schools are more sought after than others and entry highly competitive.

It is therefore critical to research the schools you are interested in to make sure your child has the best possible and realistic chance of gaining a place at the schools you list.

Importantly, you should consider proximity to your home and the travel time for your child.

Some OCs are in particularly high demand. To gauge how competitive a school is, consider:

  • NAPLAN Rankings: Compare schools based on their NAPLAN scores, which can provide insights into their overall academic performance. High academic past performance attracts more applications and most likely from high ability students.
  • OC Place Availability: Schools with a limited number of OC places are likely to be more competitive as only a small number of students can be accommodated.
  • School Reputation: Research the reputation of the school, as a positive reputation often indicates strong academic standards.
  • Historic patterns: While official cut-off scores are no longer published, trends from prior years (where available) can provide some guidance.

20% of places in OCs are reserved under the Equity Placement Model for students from under-represented backgrounds:

  • Students from low socio-educational advantage areas
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
  • Students from rural and remote locations
  • Students with disability

From the 2027 intake onwards, there will be an equal number of places made available for girls and boys in all OC classes. This new change aims to encourage parents of girls to apply for and accept places in these classes by highlighting that these offerings are for all students.

Moreover, an increasing number of OC classes are composite Year 5/Year 6 classes.

Please check the Department’s website for updates and more information as the number of classes is being expanded and changed year by year.

Opportunity Class Preparation Program

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NSW OC Tests

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