The test is designed for top students in Year 4 who wish to be considered for placement in Years 5 and 6 in special OC classes in NSW. Opportunity Classes provide a differentiated curriculum for academically gifted learners, challenging them to reach their potential. The OC exam will be computer-based, assessing students’ skills in reading, mathematical reasoning, and thinking skills in 2026. There is a method in which you have to prepare for this test. Preparing for the OC exam in 2026. Return to this guide each term for your flexible 90-day study schedule. Build the core skills, test strategies, and confidence you’ll need to succeed on exam day.
Introduction
The Opportunity Class (OC) Placement Test in NSW is a highly rewarded exam developed to select Year 4 students of exceptional capacity for placement in associated classes for Years 5 and 6. Those classes provide a more rigorous and challenging curriculum to cater to gifted students. While preparing for the oc exam 2026, it is important that one writes a daily study plan.
What is the OC Placement Test?
The OC Placement Test measures students in three areas: reading, mathematical reasoning, and thinking skills, emphasising comprehension, logic, and problem-solving instead of rote material. As of 2026, it will be a no-calculator test, which makes it a computer-based test and a far more accurate representation of essential abilities.
Why 90 days?
A 90-day study plan gives students the time needed to develop a solid foundation of skills, test strategies, and confidence without the stress and cramming so often associated with the test. Giving an effort over a period of three months works best for the oc test preparation for 2026.
What to expect from this guide:
- A structured 3-month study plan
- One reliable source for each of the test sections
- Strategies for weekly goals and practice tests
- Tips for students and parents from our experts
Phase 1: Understand the OC Test & Get Set Up (Days 1–7)
Week One in the Challenge is for familiarisation with the test format and for gathering key materials.
OC Test Format and Structure – Get to know
The exam consists of three multiple-choice sections scored in a timed setting:
- Reading — 30 minutes
- Mathematical Reasoning — 40 minutes
- Thinking Skills — 30 minutes
These questions assess the student’s understanding, reasoning, and logic rather than only their ability to repeat something they’ve learnt by heart. Familiarity with the test format lowers anxiety and creates proper strategies for the test.
Gather Official Material and Practice
It all begins with official sample tests provided by the NSW Department of Education because these tests are based on facts. If you want to practice more thoroughly use paid materials from well known publishers like Mathema, James An or Alpha One.
TestRoom is one of several Online platforms that recreate the prototype of computer-based testing work, which helps you discover timed mocks or section-wise drills to analyze and help with your performance for focused revision. Start with a diagnostic test: establish strengths and weaknesses and bundle your materials into reading, maths, thinking skills, and error tracking folders.
Phase 2: Build Core Skills (Weeks 2–4 / Days 8–28)
Strengthen Reading Skills
Read a diverse array of texts, from stories to reports to poems to charts, to build new knowledge and understanding. Identify central ideas, draw logical conclusions, infer the meaning of words, identify a strategy for answering multiple-choice questions efficiently, etc.
Master Key Maths Concepts
Cover fractions, decimals, percentages, area, perimeter, and volume topics from Years 4–5. Prioritizing of word problem solving and logic application over rapid calculations
Develop Thinking Skills
Exercise logic and non-verbal reasoning through puzzles, pattern recognition games, and reasoning worksheets. Dedicate time to scanning mistakes for trends, e.g., misreading a question or rushing.
Phase 3: Practice & Apply Under Pressure (Weeks 5–8 / Days 29–56)
The purpose of this stage is to simulate the test conditions and polish your strategies.
Start Weekly Full-Length Practice Tests
To build up your stamina and get familiar with the structure, take one Mock Test on a platform such as TestRoom each week. Take careful note of the mistakes that were made to answer questions.
Drill Weak Areas Daily
Daily 10–20 minute drills on targeted skills—like difficult reading passages, challenging maths questions, or tricky reasoning problems—against a clock.
Improve Test Strategy
Focus on time management with skip and return strategies, multiple-choice elimination, and steady pacing to ensure all questions are attended to.
Phase 4: Final Review and Test-Readiness (Weeks 9–12 / Days 57–90)
The final stage is polishing skills and getting into the right mental & physical state for the test.
Increase Test Frequency and Pressure
Do 2-3 Full Mock Tests Per Week in Actual Test Conditions. Parents need to stop helping (directly) so that the child becomes independent and confident about taking the test.
Review and Reinforce Tough Topics
Go back to hard questions using a mistake journal. Use flashcards or summary sheets to review math formulas, vocabulary important to the test, and logic shortcuts in a last-minute refresher of what you will need to know.
Prepare Overdose for Test Day, Physically and Mentally
Discuss test day logistics, the rules at the test centre, and computer login procedures with your child. Move sleep time and meals a week in advance, then you can fly. Encourage calmness, confidence, and positivity.
Sample Weekly Breakdown
| Week | Main Focus | Key Activities |
| Week 1 | Learn the test & materials | Diagnostic test, schedule, folders |
| Weeks 2–4 | Build core skills | Daily reading, maths, thinking |
| Weeks 5–8 | Practice under pressure | Weekly mocks, daily drills |
| Weeks 9–12 | Final polish & readiness | Mock exams, topic revision, prep |
Bonus Tips for Parents & Students
Work on removing the mistakes, not to redo what are correct answers.
- Celebrate milestones to maintain motivation
- Only use official resources or those aligned with testing
- Thirty minutes taken daily translates to significant progress
Conclusion
Having the right plan and preparing for the OC Placement Test 2026 can be an enjoyable experience. A structured study plan over a solid 90-days, supported by reliable resources, TestRoom, and official NSW Education resources, and a daily grind is all required to instill excellence in the students. Get started today by learning the OC test format, taking a diagnostic test, and creating an individualised study plan. With motivation and a little intelligent preparation, the OC exam 2026 can be passed successfully. Order Essay.
This guide gives you the perfect structure needed for building all necessary skills complemented with perfect test day preparations to get you best possible results in the oc test preparation for 2026.