NSW Selective and OC test guide for parents
Independent. Not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education.
This guide covers the NSW Selective and OC tests for parents: Department dates and rules at every stage, explained plainly, and timed Selective practice. Your child can try one full practice test with results, with a free account1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Which test is my child sitting, and what comes next?
Children in Year 3 or 4 are heading for the OC test, sat in Year 42NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Children in Year 5 or 6 are heading for the Selective test, sat in Year 63NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
| Year now | Which round? |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Your child would usually sit the OC test in Year 42NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2030, for Year 5 entry in 2031, and the Selective test in Year 63NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2032. OC applications usually run from November to February4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and Selective applications from November to February4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 1 | Your child would usually sit the OC test in Year 42NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2029, for Year 5 entry in 2030, and the Selective test in Year 63NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2031. OC applications usually run from November to February4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and Selective applications from November to February4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 2 | Your child would usually sit the OC test in Year 42NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2028, for Year 5 entry in 2029, and the Selective test in Year 63NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2030. OC applications usually run from November to February4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and Selective applications from November to February4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 3 | Your child is in the next OC round, for Year 5 entry in 2028. Applications are expected November 2026–February 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected, and the test is expected in early May 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected. 4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published OC dates |
| Year 4 | Your child's OC round, for Year 5 entry in 2027, had its test on 8–9 May 20264NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Reserve offers can still come until the end of Term 1 202817NSW Education · 18 October 2026 · Published. Next is the Selective test, in Year 63NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2028, for Year 7 entry in 2029. OC reserve lists |
| Year 5 | Your child is in the next Selective round, for Year 7 entry in 2028. Applications are expected November 2026–February 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected, and the test is expected in early May 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected. 4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published Selective dates |
| Year 6 | Your child's Selective round, for Year 7 entry in 2027, had its test on 1–2 May 20264NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. If you hold an offer and want to stay on a higher-choice reserve list after 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, decline the offer by then. After Year 7, each school runs its own entry. 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Selective reserve lists |
| Year 7 | Selective places for Years 8 to 11 are managed by each school. 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Apply in the year before the placement year5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 8 | Selective places for Years 8 to 11 are managed by each school. 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Apply in the year before the placement year5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 9 | Selective places for Years 8 to 11 are managed by each school. 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Apply in the year before the placement year5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 10 | Selective places for Years 8 to 11 are managed by each school. 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Apply in the year before the placement year5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 11 | Department selective entry is for Year 7, through the test, and Years 8 to 11, through each school. 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published For Year 12, ask the school directly. |
| Year 12 | Department selective entry is for Year 7, through the test, and Years 8 to 11, through each school. 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published For Year 12, ask the school directly. |
Choose your child's school year in 2026 above, or find it in the table. It shows when your child usually sits each test, not whether they'll get a place.
| Your child's year in 2026 | What comes next | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | The OC test comes first, for Year 5 entry in 2028. Applications are expected November 2026–February 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected, and the test in early May 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected. | The OC test |
| Year 4 | Selective comes in Year 63NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in 2028, for Year 7 entry in 2029. In the OC round for Year 5 entry in 2027, the reserve decision date is 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. | OC reserve lists |
| Year 5 | The next Selective round is yours, for Year 7 entry in 2028. Applications are expected November 2026–February 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected, and the test in early May 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected. | How to apply |
| Year 6 | Your round, for Year 7 entry in 2027, sat the test on 1–2 May 20264NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. If you hold an offer and wait on a reserve list, the decision date is 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. | Reserve lists |
| Year 7 or older | For Years 8 to 11, each selective school runs its own entry 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and you apply in the year before the placement year5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. | Later entry |
| Outside NSW | Each state runs its own test, with its own ages and dates. | Other states |
What are the two NSW tests?
The Selective test leads to a Year 7 place in a selective high school. The OC test leads to a Year 5 place in an opportunity class, and children sit it earlier, in Year 4.
46NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sections
Selective test
Where are you in the Selective year?
Families from the 2027 round are at the reserve stage now, and the 2028 round starts with applications. Each stop has its own page with the date and what to do.
OC first, in Year 3 or 4
OC applications are expected November 2026–February 20274NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected.
Next
Applying
Now
Reserve list
The reserve decision date is 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Do other states have a selective test?
Yes. Each state runs its own test, with its own ages and dates. Choose your exam in the pack picker, including NSW, VIC, WA and scholarship practice.
| State | Program | What's published | Read next |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA | Gifted and Talented, through the ASET | Year 6 children sit it on 6 March 202710WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, for Year 7 entry in 2028. | WA: the ASET |
| VIC | Selective entry high schools | Children sit the exam in Year 8 11Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, held in June each year11Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. | Victoria |
| QLD | Queensland Academies | Families apply in Year 512Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published for a Year 7 place. | Queensland |
| SA | IGNITE | The assessment is on 20 February 202713Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, for Year 7 entry in 2028. | South Australia |
| ACT | No selective test | The ACT has no select entry schools14ACT Government · 12 October 2026 · Published. | The ACT |
What dates are coming up?
The next published date is the reserve decision date, 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, for both Selective and OC families. Exact dates for the next rounds aren't published yet 4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published, so they show as expected.
| Date | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | Selective reserve decision date, Year 7 entry in 2027 | Published |
| 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | OC reserve decision date, Year 5 entry in 2027 | Published |
| November 2026–February 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected | Selective applications, Year 7 entry in 2028 | Expected |
| November 2026–February 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected | OC applications, Year 5 entry in 2028 | Expected |
| early May 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected | Selective test, Year 7 entry in 2028 | Expected |
| early May 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected | OC test, Year 5 entry in 2028 | Expected |
Want these in your calendar? Subscribe to the Selective dates feed or the OC dates feed. Each feed adds a date only once the Department publishes it, so your calendar never shows a guess.
What does practice on SelectiveReady look like?
It looks like the real test, with every section timed. SelectiveReady offers NSW Selective practice: four sections, results, lessons, writing feedback1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Timed tests
A timer counts down from each section's real time, such as 406NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes for maths. Your child can flag a question and come back to it.
Results
One score for the whole test, then a score and the time used for each section.
Lessons
Short videos, one method at a time, that your child can watch again.
Writing feedback
Comments on each criterion of a finished piece. It's automated AI feedback, not a Department mark1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published, and it can be wrong.
What does my child get after a practice test?
Your child sees a score for the whole test, then each section's score and time. Results by topic show where marks were lost, so you can choose what to practise next.
What's free, and what does it cost?
Every guide, date and tool on this site is free and needs no account. Your child can also take one full practice test with results, with a free account1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published.
| Plan | Price | What you get | Renewal and cancelling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Nothing to pay | one full practice test with results, with a free account1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published, plus every guide, date and tool | Nothing to cancel |
| Weekly | A$915SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published a week | Full access to timed tests, results, lessons and writing feedback | It renews every 7 days until you cancel1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. Cancel any time in Settings → Manage plan1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| 12-Month Pack | A$9915SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published, paid once | It gives full access for 12 months from the day you pay1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published | Never renews1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. A change-of-mind refund is available within 716SelectiveReady · 15 October 2026 · Published days, if your child hasn't completed a full practice test since buying. |
With a free account, your child also gets AI writing feedback on the free practice test's writing task15SelectiveReady · 13 October 2026 · Published. Feedback on other writing prompts needs a paid plan.
Prices are in Australian dollars, with no GST charged1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. No payment is taken for the free test. See plans and terms.
Why can you trust the facts on these pages?
Every NSW date, number and rule comes from the Department of Education, its schools or another NSW agency. Other states' facts come from their own exam bodies and schools. Each has a label showing its source and the day we checked it, and when a source changes, we change the fact and log the correction.
NSW exam facts in our facts file, each with a saved source
source pages and documents behind them
We never claim to be the Department
We're independent of the NSW Department of Education1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published.
We never predict an offer or a cut-off
We never show a guess as a date
Dates the Department hasn't confirmed carry a label, like the next test in early May 2027 Expected4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected.
We pass on the Department's advice, even against our interest
We fix mistakes in public
Every correction is listed with the old value, the new value and the date.
How are the practice questions checked?
Our practice questions are our own, written for the Selective test. We link to the Department's sample tests instead of copying them, because they're for personal use only. 6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
The method page explains how each question is checked before it goes live, and how we use AI. Read how we check facts and questions, or see the corrections.
How do I contact SelectiveReady?
Email support@selectiveready.com1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published with a question about the site, your account or a plan. If you spot a mistake on a page, send the page and what looks wrong, and we'll check it against the Department's page.
Privacy questions go to privacy@selectiveready.com1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. SelectiveReady's ABN is 53 930 169 4011SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. For prices, renewals and refunds, see plans and terms.
Questions parents ask about SelectiveReady
Is SelectiveReady part of the NSW Department of Education?
No. We're independent of the NSW Department of Education1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. Each fact on our pages links to the page it came from.
Is SelectiveReady free?
Every guide, date and tool is free, with no account. Your child can take one full practice test with results, with a free account1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. After that, the Weekly plan is A$915SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published a week, or the 12-Month Pack is A$9915SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published once.
What's the difference between the OC and Selective tests?
The OC test is sat in Year 42NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, for Year 5 entry, with 37NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sections and no Writing. The Selective test is sat in Year 63NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, for Year 7 entry, with 46NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sections including Writing. OC doesn't give automatic Selective entry2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Is there OC practice on SelectiveReady?
Yes. Choose the OC practice pack, or find another exam in the pack picker.
Can SelectiveReady tell me my child's chances?
No. We make no promise of a score, placement or offer 1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published, and the Department gives families no test score or rank. 9NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
How do I cancel?
Weekly: cancel any time in Settings → Manage plan1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. The 12-Month Pack never renews1SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published, so there's nothing to cancel.
Next questions
Sources and checks
- SelectiveReady