Australia's school exams — your questions answered
Straight, honest answers to the questions parents ask most about NAPLAN, the OC test, the Selective High School test, ICAS and the AMC.
Jump to: NAPLAN · OC test · Selective · ICAS · AMC · Preparation
NAPLAN
What years sit NAPLAN?
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit NAPLAN each year, usually in March. It assesses reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
What is a good NAPLAN score?
Since 2023, NAPLAN results use four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs additional support. 'Strong' or 'Exceeding' means a student is at or above the expected level for their year. There is no single pass mark.
Does NAPLAN affect my child's school marks?
No. NAPLAN does not count towards school grades or reports. It is a point-in-time snapshot used by schools and governments to track progress; some schools also use the results to inform grouping or extra support.
Is NAPLAN compulsory?
NAPLAN is expected for all eligible students, though parents can apply for an exemption or withdrawal in limited circumstances (for example, significant disability or a recently arrived language background). Check with your school.
OC (Opportunity Class) test
What year is the OC test sat in?
The Opportunity Class (OC) placement test is sat in Year 4, for entry into an Opportunity Class in Years 5 and 6 — a NSW public-school program for high-potential students.
Is the OC test harder than NAPLAN?
In style, yes. NAPLAN measures whether a student is meeting the expected standard for their year, while the OC test is a competitive reasoning test designed to rank applicants — so its questions are deliberately more challenging and time-pressured.
What does the OC test cover?
Three sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills. It rewards reasoning and problem-solving rather than curriculum recall.
Should a Year 3 student start selective preparation?
Light exposure is fine, but intensive preparation in Year 3 is usually unnecessary and risks burnout. At that age the most valuable things are strong reading habits and solid number fundamentals; focused OC practice typically ramps up in Year 4, the year of the test.
Selective High School test
What year is the selective test sat in?
The Selective High School placement test is sat in Year 6, for entry into a selective high school in Year 7.
What's on the selective test?
Four components: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing. The writing task was added to the test in recent years.
What score do you need for Sydney Boys or a top selective school?
There is no fixed pass mark. Places are offered by a scaled placement score, and each school's cutoff changes every year with demand. The most in-demand schools (such as James Ruse, Sydney Boys, Sydney Girls, Baulkham Hills and North Sydney) have the highest cutoffs. The NSW Department of Education publishes the previous year's minimum entry scores by school — always check those official figures rather than rely on rumoured numbers.
How is the selective placement score calculated?
It is based on the test itself — the multiple-choice sections plus the writing task — moderated so scores are comparable across sittings. Since 2020 the placement is based on the test rather than school assessment marks.
ICAS
How many questions are in ICAS Maths?
It depends on the year level, but ICAS Mathematics papers are typically around 30 to 40 multiple-choice questions, sat in roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Older year levels have more — and harder — questions.
When is ICAS held?
ICAS usually runs in Term 3 (around August–September), through schools that choose to offer it. Exact dates vary by subject and school.
What is a good ICAS result?
ICAS awards are percentile-based: High Distinction (roughly the top 1%), Distinction (about the next 10%), Credit, Merit, and Participation. A Distinction or High Distinction is a strong result.
AMC (Australian Mathematics Competition)
What is the AMC?
The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC), run by the Australian Maths Trust, is a problem-solving competition sat by students from middle primary to senior secondary. Note: it is different from the American 'AMC 10/12' — same acronym, different competition.
What is a good AMC score or award?
AMC certificates are awarded by percentile within your year level and region: Prize and Medal for the very top, then High Distinction (about the top 5%), Distinction (the next ~15%), Credit, Proficiency, and Participation.
Preparing for the tests
How early should we start preparing for OC or Selective?
Six to twelve months of consistent, light practice is usually plenty — short regular sessions beat cramming. The core skills are reasoning and reading, both of which build gradually.
Is tutoring necessary to do well in the selective test?
No. Many students do well with structured self-study and consistent practice. Tutoring can help with accountability and feedback, but understanding why answers are right — and regular timed practice — matters more than any particular program.
PrepPath is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with ACARA, the NSW Department of Education, UNSW/Janison or the Australian Maths Trust. This page is general information only — exam dates, formats and entry scores change, so always confirm current details with the official body.