OC vs Selective: What's the Difference?

Both the Opportunity Class (OC) test and the Selective High School test are NSW Department of Education placement tests for academically capable students — but they apply at different stages and differ in one key area.

The short version

• OC test — sat in Year 4, for entry to an Opportunity Class in Year 5. Tests Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills.
• Selective test — sat in Year 6, for entry to a selective high school in Year 7. Tests Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing.

What's the same?

Both are competitive, reasoning-focused tests run by the NSW Department of Education. The Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills sections are similar in style — the Selective versions are simply pitched at a higher level, since the students are two years older.

What's different?

The biggest difference is Writing: the Selective test includes a written response, while the OC test does not. The Selective test is also more demanding overall, and leads to a high-school place rather than a primary Opportunity Class.

Which one applies to my child?

If your child is in Year 4 and you're considering an Opportunity Class for Year 5, the OC test applies. If they're in Year 6 aiming for a selective high school in Year 7, it's the Selective test. Some families sit the OC test first and the Selective test later — the reasoning skills carry over.

Preparing for either

Both reward clear reasoning built through practice at the right difficulty. PrepPath has dedicated OC test practice and Selective test practice, each with full worked explanations and an AI Tutor for harder questions.