OC Test Timeline: Key Dates and What Happens When
The NSW Opportunity Class (OC) test runs on an annual cycle during Year 4, for entry into an Opportunity Class in Year 5. The exact dates shift each year, so always confirm them on the official NSW Department of Education website — but the shape of the year is consistent:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Term 1 (Year 4) | Applications open online through the NSW Department of Education. You create an account and register your child; you don't need to choose schools yet. |
| End of Term 1 / early Term 2 | Applications close. This deadline is firm — a late application usually means missing the year entirely, so mark it early. |
| Term 2 | You receive your test authority / registration details and the test centre. This is the window to settle into steady practice. |
| Around mid-year (Term 2–3) | The OC Placement Test is sat — usually on a single set date at an allocated centre. It covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills. |
| Later in the year | You nominate and rank your preferred Opportunity Class schools (if not done earlier), then placement outcomes are released online. |
| Following January | Successful students start in an Opportunity Class in Year 5. |
The one date that matters most
The application deadline (around the end of Term 1) is the single most important date — miss it and there is generally no second chance that year. Set a reminder as soon as your child enters Year 4.
How to use the timeline for preparation
- Term 4 of Year 3 – Term 1 of Year 4: build fundamentals and a strong reading habit — no pressure.
- Term 1–2 of Year 4: apply, then start steady, short practice sessions across all three sections.
- Weeks before the test: practise full sections under time, and sit the official sample test once so the format is familiar.
Exact dates change yearly — confirm the current cycle on the NSW Department of Education's Opportunity Class page.
Ready to start? Practise free OC questions across all three sections, or work through the OC maths checklist first.
PrepPath is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with ACARA or the NSW Department of Education. This guide is general information only — always check the official ACARA (nap.edu.au) or NSW Department of Education websites for current dates and rules.