OC test format: three sections, minutes and what is allowed
Checked 19 October 2026 by XReady
In short
The OC test is taken on a computer and splits into three equally weighted multiple-choice sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills. Testing time adds up to 110 minutes, with no writing section and no calculator. Children are in Year 4, so familiarity with the screen matters as much as any content.
Children answer three multiple-choice sections on screen, using a computer the Department supplies at a nearby test centre.
| Section | Questions | Minutes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 14 (3 have several parts, giving 33 answers) | 40 | 33.3% |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 35 | 40 | 33.3% |
| Thinking Skills | 30 | 30 | 33.3% |
That is 110 minutes of testing. Short breaks sit between the sections (external link) and children stay in the test room, so the morning is long for a child aged nine or ten. Our test day checklist covers what to pack and what to expect.
Reading
Children read a range of material on screen (external link), including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, magazine articles and reports, and answer questions that test a range of comprehension skills. The 14 questions include three with several parts, so a child gives 33 answers in the 40 minutes, which is a little over a minute each once reading time is counted. Because there is a lot to read, comfort with reading longer pieces on a screen matters.
Mathematical Reasoning
Thirty-five questions in 40 minutes, each with five options (external link). The focus is applying maths to new problems, using ideas children already meet at school, so there is nothing extra to learn. A calculator is not allowed, but children may work on the paper provided. Expect to see the same concept dressed in an unfamiliar situation.
Thinking Skills
Thirty questions in 30 minutes, each with four options. This section assesses critical thinking and problem solving, and the Department says no previous knowledge is needed (external link). It is the section children can least "study" for, and the Department's practice tests show the range of question types.
How the sections are weighted
Every section carries the same weight, so a child who finds one section harder is not out of the running. The Selective test is different: it has four sections, includes a typed writing task, and each counts for a quarter. See the Selective test format.
Test day basics
Each child receives two A4 sheets for working (external link), with more available if they ask. They do not bring their own computer or mouse. The Department also publishes social stories, short illustrated guides to what a test room looks like, for a large room and a small room, which can help an anxious child know what to expect.
Practice, and what the results screen shows
The Department offers free online computer-based practice tests (external link) that follow the real software, with a countdown timer children can hide. When a practice test ends it lists the questions answered right and wrong, shows the correct answer for any missed, and each response is worth one mark. It also offers PDF practice papers from older paper versions, and says these do not match the current format. XReady's OC practice papers are our own, never a copy of the real test, and the form 1 free sample is an easy first look. Preparing without coaching suggests how to keep it gentle.
Adjustments
Children with a disability or medical condition can try the practice tests to check any assistive technology, and families can ask for reasonable adjustments (external link) through the application dashboard. Practice materials are also available in large print, black and white, and braille on request.
Checked 19 October 2026 against the NSW Department of Education pages above.
Common questions
- How many sections does the OC test have?
- Three: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills. Each counts for one third of the result.
- How long is the OC test?
- The sections run 40, 40 and 30 minutes, which is 110 minutes of testing, with short breaks between sections.
- Is there a writing test in the OC?
- No. Writing is part of the Selective test, not the OC test.
- Can children use a calculator?
- No. They can use the paper provided for working out.
- Do children need to learn special content?
- The Department says no. The questions draw on what children learn at school, and the Thinking Skills section needs no previous knowledge.
Keep reading
- The NSW OC test explained: Year 5 opportunity classes for parentsWhat the NSW Opportunity Class test is, who sits it in Year 4, what a place involves, and how many Year 5 places exist for 2027 entry.
- OC and Selective test day checklist for parentsWhat to bring, what to leave at home, when to arrive and what to do if your child is sick on the day of the OC or Selective placement test.
- Preparing for the OC and Selective tests without coachingA calm, low-pressure way for NSW families to help a child get ready for the OC or Selective test, using the Department's free resources.
Sources, checked 19 October 2026
- NSW Department of Education: Opportunity class practice tests (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.
- NSW Department of Education: Placement test (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.
Not affiliated with ACARA or the NSW Department of Education.