2026 NSW OC Schools: What Parents Need to Know
What Every Parent Should Know Before Making a Choice
Aug 07 2025
What is the Opportunity Class (OC)?
NSW’s Opportunity Class program offers an enriched curriculum for academically gifted students. The placement test is typically taken at the end of Year 4, with successful applicants joining the OC program in Years 5 and 6.
Finding the Right OC for Your Child
Choosing an Opportunity Class (OC) school is a significant step for many families in NSW. With the 2026 OC placement tests approaching, understanding how different schools have performed historically can provide valuable insight to guide your child’s preparation and school selection.
What to Consider When Choosing Schools
Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision.
While all NSW public schools follow the same curriculum, each school has its own unique environment and strengths. Finding the best fit for your child makes a big difference.
| ● Your Child’s Needs |
| Think about their interests, abilities, academic and extracurricular needs, emotional well-being, and any special support they might require. |
| ● Location |
| Selecting a school close to home can reduce travel time, which often helps with both academic performance and overall well-being. It also allows more time for activities like sports or music. |
| ● Research the Schools |
| Explore school websites and social media to get a feel for their community, facilities, and subjects offered. Talk to friends, family, or local community members for recommendations. Attending orientation or open days is a great way to experience the school firsthand. |
| ● Your Child’s Preferences |
| Have an open conversation with your child about their school preferences. Choosing a school your child feels comfortable with is an important factor to consider. |
(Source: NSW Education Department official information)
Understanding the 2025 OC Assessment Changes
Starting in 2025, the Opportunity Class placement tests have shifted from fixed cut-off scores to a percentile-based system. This means:
● Your child’s performance is compared to all other test-takers that year.
● Rankings are now more relative than absolute.
● Year-to-year comparisons are less predictable.
This change emphasizes the importance of your child’s performance in relation to their peers during the testing year.
Quick Overview: Test Format & Sections
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration | Focus & Features |
| Reading | ~13 (some multi-answer) | 30 min | Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, informational texts |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 35 | 40 min | No calculator; real-world problem solving |
| Thinking Skills | 30 | 30 min | Logic and reasoning, no prior knowledge required |
Why the OC Test Feels Harder Than Other Assessments
If your child has done well in NAPLAN or ICAS, the OC exam can still feel unexpectedly difficult. Why?
Because the OC test measures relative performance against other high-achieving students across NSW — not just subject knowledge.
Let’s put that in context:
| Test Type | To Perform Well, Students Typically Need to Be in: |
| NAPLAN | Top 30% |
| ICAS | Top 15–20% |
| OC Test | Top 10% (or Top 5% for competitive schools) |
Public schools with Year 5 opportunity classes in 2025
List of schools with opportunity classes and number of places
You can select up to two public schools with an opportunity class, in order of preference
| NO. | School Name | Location | No of vacancies |
| 1 | ALEXANDRIA PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL | Alexandria | 30 |
| 2 | ALSTONVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Alstonville | 15 |
| 3 | ARMIDALE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL | Armidale | 15 |
| 4 | CARTARMON PUBLIC SCHOOL | Artarmon | 30 |
| 5 | ASHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Ashfield | 30 |
| 6 | CHATSWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Lindfield | 100 |
| 7 | BALGOWLAH HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL | Balgowlah Heights | 15 |
| 8 | BALMAIN PUBLIC SCHOOL | Balmain | 30 |
| 9 | BATHURST WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL | Bathurst | 15 |
| 10 | BEECROFT PUBLIC SCHOOL | Beecroft | 30 |
| 11 | BIRABAN PUBLIC SCHOOL | Toronto | 15 |
| 12 | BLACKTOWN SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Blacktown | 15 |
| 13 | BLACKTOWN WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL | Blacktown | 15 |
| 14 | BLAXCELL STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL | Granville | 30 |
| 15 | BLAXLAND EAST PUBLIC SCHOOL | East Blaxland | 30 |
| 16 | BRADBURY PUBLIC SCHOOL | Bradbury | 15 |
| 17 | BROOKVALE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Brookvale | 15 |
| 18 | CAMDEN SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Camden South | 15 |
| 19 | CARINGBAH NORTH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Caringbah | 15 |
| 20 | CASULA PUBLIC SCHOOL | Casula | 15 |
| 21 | CESSNOCK WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL | Cessnock | 15 |
| 22 | CHATSWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Chatswood | 30 |
| 23 | COLYTON PUBLIC SCHOOL | Mount Druitt | 15 |
| 24 | COONABARABRAN PUBLIC SCHOOL | Coonabarabran | 15 |
| 25 | CUDGEGONG VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL | Mudgee | 15 |
| 26 | DUBBO WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL | Dubbo | 15 |
| 27 | DURAL PUBLIC SCHOOL | Dural | 30 |
| 28 | EARLWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Earlwood | 30 |
| 29 | ERMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL | West Ryde | 30 |
| 30 | GEORGES HALL PUBLIC SCHOOL | Georges Hall | 15 |
| 31 | GOONELLABAH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Goonellabah | 15 |
| 32 | GOSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL | West Gosford | 30 |
| 33 | GOULBURN WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL | Goulburn | 15 |
| 34 | GREENACRE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Greenacre | 15 |
| 35 | GREYSTANES PUBLIC SCHOOL | Greystanes | 30 |
| 36 | HARRINGTON STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL | Cabramatta | 15 |
| 37 | HOLSWORTHY PUBLIC SCHOOL | Holsworthy | 15 |
| 38 | HURSTVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Hurstville | 60 |
| 39 | ILLAROO ROAD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Nowra | 15 |
| 40 | IRONBARK RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Rouse Hill | 30 |
| 41 | JEWELLS PUBLIC SCHOOL | Jewells | 15 |
| 42 | KINGSWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Kingswood | 15 |
| 43 | LEUMEAH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Leumeah | 15 |
| 44 | LINDFIELD EAST PUBLIC SCHOOL | East Lindfield | 15 |
| 45 | LITHGOW PUBLIC SCHOOL | Lithgow | 15 |
| 46 | MAROUBRA JUNCTION PUBLIC SCHOOL | Maroubra | 15 |
| 47 | MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL | Newcastle | 15 |
| 48 | MATTHEW PEARCE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Baulkham Hills | 30 |
| 49 | MIRANDA PUBLIC SCHOOL | MIRANDA | 15 |
| 50 | MONA VALE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Mona Vale | 30 |
| 51 | MOREE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Moree | 15 |
| 52 | MOSS VALE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Moss Vale | 15 |
| 53 | NEUTRAL BAY PUBLIC SCHOOL | Neutral Bay | 30 |
| 54 | NEWBRIDGE HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL | Chipping Norton | 15 |
| 55 | NEW LAMBTON SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL | New Lambton | 15 |
| 56 | NORTH ROCKS PUBLIC SCHOOL | North Rocks | 30 |
| 57 | PENRITH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Penrith | 15 |
| 58 | PICNIC POINT PUBLIC SCHOOL | Picnic Point | 15 |
| 59 | PORT MACQUARIE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Port Macquarie | 15 |
| 60 | QUAKERS HILL PUBLIC SCHOO | Quakers Hill | 30 |
| 61 | QUEANBEYAN SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Queanbeyan | 15 |
| 62 | RICHMOND PUBLIC SCHOOL | Richmond | 30 |
| 63 | RUTHERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Rutherford | 15 |
| 64 | RYDE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Ryde | 30 |
| 65 | SMITHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL | Smithfield | 15 |
| 66 | SOLDIERS POINT PUBLIC SCHOOL | Soldiers Point | 15 |
| 67 | SOUTH GRAFTON PUBLIC SCHOOL | South Grafton | 15 |
| 68 | ST ANDREWS PUBLIC SCHOOL | St Andrews | 15 |
| 69 | ST CLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOL | ST CLAIR | 15 |
| 70 | ST JOHNS PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL | St Johns Park | 15 |
| 71 | STURT PUBLIC SCHOOL | Wagga Wagga | 15 |
| 72 | SUMMER HILL PUBLIC SCHOOL | Summer Hill | 30 |
| 73 | SUTHERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL | Sutherland | 30 |
| 74 | TAHMOOR PUBLIC SCHOOL | Tahmoor | 15 |
| 75 | TAMWORTH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Tamworth | 15 |
| 76 | TAMWORTH SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL | Tamworth | 15 |
| 77 | TIGHES HILL PUBLIC SCHOOL | Tighes Hill | 15 |
| 78 | TOONGABBIE PUBLIC SCHOOL | Toongabbie | 15 |
| 79 | TOORMINA PUBLIC SCHOOL | Toormina | 15 |
| 80 | WAHROONGA PUBLIC SCHOOL | Wahroonga | 15 |
| 81 | WAITARA PUBLIC SCHOOL | Wahroonga | 30 |
| 82 | WENTWORTH FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL | Wentworth Falls | 15 |
| 83 | WILKINS PUBLIC SCHOOL | Marrickville | 30 |
| 84 | WOLLONGONG PUBLIC SCHOOL | Wollongong | 30 |
| 85 | WOOLLAHRA PUBLIC SCHOOL | Woollahra | 30 |
| 86 | WYONG PUBLIC SCHOOL | Wyong | 30 |
OC School Ranking Based on 2021 Data
| Rank | School Name |
| 1 | Beecroft Public School |
| 2 | Matthew Pearce Public School |
| 3 | Ermington Public School |
| 4 | North Rocks Public School |
| 5 | Dural Public School |
| 6 | Ryde Public School |
| 7 | Chatswood Public School |
| 8 | Ironbark Ridge Public School |
| 9 | Summer Hill Public School |
| 10 | Artarmon Public School |
| 11 | Waitara Public School |
| 12 | Neutral Bay Public School |
| 13 | Quakers Hill Public School |
| 14 | Hurstville Public School |
| 15 | Greystanes Public School |
| … | … |
Please note that these rankings are based on 2021 data and may have changed in subsequent years.
How School Choices Affect Your Child’s Offer in 2025
When applying for selective high schools or opportunity classes, your child’s placement offer depends on both test performance and the order of school preferences. Here’s what you need to know:
| ● Each school has different entry requirements based on demand, applicant performance, and available spots. ● Initial offers: Your child will receive only one offer — from the highest-choice school they qualify for. ● Later offers: If your child is on a reserve list for a higher-choice school, they may receive an offer later if a spot becomes available. |
Important :
| ● You cannot reject an offer to wait for a lower-choice school. ● Declining a lower-choice offer while on a reserve list for higher-choice schools does not guarantee a later offer. |
✅ Tip: Always list your most preferred school as your first choice.
How Many Schools Can Your Child Choose? (2025 Update)
| Selective High Schools: 1–3 schools Opportunity Classes: 1–4 schools starting in 2025 (previously 1–3) |
| ⚠️ Note: The 2025 update allows students applying for Opportunity Classes to select up to four schools, giving families more flexibility than before. Only choose schools your child genuinely wants to attend — you don’t have to pick the maximum number if it doesn’t match your preferences. |
How to Make Your School Selections
| 1. On the application website, list your school choices in order of preference. 2. First choice – select the school your child wants to attend the most. 3. Second choice – select the next preferred school (optional). 4. Third choice – select the next preferred school (optional). 5. Fourth choice – only available for Opportunity Class applications (optional). 6. Click “Save & Continue”. You must select at least one school to proceed. |
How to Change Your Selections
| 1. Remove your second and third choices first. 2. For Opportunity Classes, also remove your fourth choice. 3. Click “Submit Application”. 4. Re-enter your new choices in the desired order and save. |
| Tip: Double-check that your preferences reflect your child’s true interests before submitting. |
Screenshot image of the School choices page
(Image Source: NSW Education Department official information)
Understanding Opportunity Class Reserve List Bands
| 1. What are Reserve List Bands? |
| When your child is placed on a reserve list for an Opportunity Class (OC), the band they are assigned gives an estimate of when they might receive an offer. |
| ● Bands A to D: Your child is likely to receive an offer, but it is not guaranteed. ● Band E: It is unlikely your child will receive an offer. |
| ⚠️ Note: These bands are only estimates based on previous years’ data, and an offer from the reserve list is never guaranteed. |
| 2. Estimated Timing for Offers by Band |
| Band | Estimated Offer Timing (based on previous years) |
| A | Within 1 month of outcome notification |
| B | Within 2 month of outcome notification |
| C | Within 3 month of outcome notification |
| D | After 3 months from outcome notification |
| E | Unlikely to receive an offer |
| 3. How Long Can My Child Stay on a Reserve List? |
| Your child can remain on a reserve list and be placed up until the end of Term 1 in Year 6. However, there are rules about automatic removal from reserve lists. |
| 4. Automatic Removal from Reserve Lists |
| ● If you have accepted an offer at your second-choice school and your child is on the reserve list for your first-choice school, your child will be removed from that reserve list on the ‘reserve decision date’. ● To stay on the reserve list beyond this date, you must decline the accepted offer from the second-choice school by the reserve decision date. ● Important: Once you decline an offer, you cannot get it back. |
(Source: NSW Education Department official information)
Preparing for the 2026 OC Test – Start Now
| (1) Get Familiar with OC-Level Difficulty |
| ● Use materials that match or slightly exceed actual test difficulty ● Place more emphasis on Reading and Thinking Skills |
| (2) Practise Under Test Conditions |
| ● Take a mock exam every 2–3 weeks ● Analyse mistakes thoroughly, not just scores |
| (3) Teach Strategic Thinking |
| ● Identify traps in answer choices ● Use elimination and logical reasoning ● Focus on understanding the question before answering |
| (4) Suggested 6–7 Month Preparation Flow |
| ● 1–2 month: Identify skill gaps & adjust study plan ● 3–4 month: Focused practice + error review ● 5–6 month: Full mock tests + feedback loop ● Final month: Light review + mental preparation |
Note: Competition is fiercest in the top 10–15 schools. Preparation can be scaled back when targeting schools ranked outside the top 20.
Practical Tips & Final Checklist for Parents
Closing Thoughts
Preparing for the OC test isn’t just about the volume of study but about strategic, focused preparation and mental endurance. Tailor your child’s study plan to their strengths, weaknesses, and school goals while supporting their confidence and motivation.
Remember, the ultimate goal is not only passing the test but also creating a positive, enriching academic experience that sets your child up for future success.
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