OC past papers: every official paper and sample for Year 4
Independent. Not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education.
No papers from the computer-based OC test, sat in Year 4, have been released. The Department offers free online practice tests in the current format and 31NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published older paper-based PDF tests, each with answers and explanations.
Can we get real OC past papers?
Not from the computer-based OC test. Release of those papers: Not published2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published. If a paper is sold online as an "OC past paper", check who wrote it and compare it with the current format.
The Department's own OC papers are practice papers: 31NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published PDF tests from the older paper test 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, plus online tests that work like the real screen. It doesn't say which year's test the PDF papers came from. 2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published
Which official OC papers and samples are there?
The online practice tests and 31NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published PDF sample tests, all free and all from the Department. Each PDF test has questions, an answer key and explained answers for each of its sections. 2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published There's no Writing paper, because the OC test has no writing section. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
| Resource | Owner and rights | Year and format | Question papers | Answer keys | Explained answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online OC practice tests | NSW Department of Education; free | Current format: on screen, timed, with a countdown your child can hide1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published | Open the online OC tests | Right and wrong shown at the end | On review, with the correct answer 2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Sample practice test 1 | The Department; copyright Cambridge University Press & Assessment1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published; personal, non-commercial use only2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | Year: Not published2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published. From older paper-based versions1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, PDF | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills |
| Sample practice test 2 | The Department; copyright as above; same terms | Year not published. Older paper version, PDF | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills |
| Sample practice test 3 | The Department; copyright as above; same terms | Year not published. Older paper version, PDF | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills | Reading · Maths · Thinking Skills |
Every link opens the Department's own file, and we don't copy them. The same files are on the Department's OC practice tests page.
How long should each OC paper take?
Set the time limit from the table below, even if the old paper's cover says something else. These are the current section times and question counts.
| Section | Questions | Time to set |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 141NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published questions, 331NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published answers | 401NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 351NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published questions, 51NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published options each | 401NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes |
| Thinking Skills | 301NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published questions, 41NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published options each | 301NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes |
How is a PDF OC paper different from the test on screen?
The kinds of questions are much the same, but the paper is answered with a pencil and an answer sheet. The real OC test is on a computer, so a paper can't teach the screen.
| What | A PDF practice paper | The real OC test |
|---|---|---|
| Format | older paper-based versions1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | On computers provided by the Department3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Answering | The cover says it's a question paper with a separate answer sheet4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published | Chosen on screen, saved every 30 seconds3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Working out | The cover says: working out on the question paper, no extra paper4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published | 23NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sheets of working paper, more on request |
| Timer | You keep time | A countdown on screen, as in the online practice tests 1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Marks | You mark with the answer key | computer-marked, with manual reliability checks5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published; in the online practice tests each response is worth 1 mark2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Calculator | None | No calculator2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Which device works for the Department's online OC tests?
The online tests work on most computers and devices1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Check three things before your child sits down.
The screen is at least 24.6 cm (9.5 inches) measured diagonally1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, so most phones are too small.
You need a physical keyboard on laptops and desktops1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, wired or wireless.
Each online test shows instructions on using the software before it starts1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published , so read them together the first time. That short walk-through is the closest look at the real screen before the day.
How can a Year 4 child use the papers well?
A section at a time, on a calm morning, with the timer running and you nearby. Mark it together straight after, and read the explained answers before trying another. These cases show how that works for different children.
A first timed paper
Your child has never sat a timed test and is nervous about it.
Print just the Thinking Skills paper from one test, the shortest at 301NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes. Sit nearby, keep the timer running, then mark it together and praise the effort.
Finished early, with many wrong
Your child rushed a Maths paper and finished with time left.
Read the explained answers together and find where each mistake started. Next time, ask your child to check every answer against the question. The papers say there are no marks lost for incorrect answers4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, so every question deserves an answer.
No printer at home
You want paper practice but have no printer.
The Department suggests your local public library, or your child's school1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. You can also open a PDF on screen, or use the Department's online tests and our free sections, which are closer to the real screen anyway.
Wanting to do every paper in one weekend
Your child is keen, or you are, to finish all the papers quickly.
Slow down. The Department says too much coaching can harm wellbeing2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published , so spread the papers over weeks and keep up sport, friends and sleep.
Does my child need coaching as well as the papers?
No. The Department says coaching is not necessary2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published , and that your child needs only a small amount of preparation6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
The free papers and online tests already show the question types. Keep sessions short, and keep up sport, friends and sleep. 6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
When should a Year 4 child start the OC papers?
A few months before the test is plenty. The OC test is usually in early May6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published of Year 4.
Exact dates for Year 5 entry in 2028: Not published6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published. The months below are expected.
November 2026–February 2027 Expected6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
Applications
While you apply, one Department online test shows your child the real screen and tools.
early May 2027 Expected6NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
The OC test
In the months before, a PDF section or a free section every week or two is enough. Keep the last week light.
The OC dates and reminders feed adds each date to your calendar once the Department publishes it.
Where can my child try the current OC format free?
Right here, with no sign-up: one section of our own OC practice test, at the real time limit, with every answer explained. It's independent practice written to the published format, not a past paper.
Free practice · no account
Free OC practice test
Answers stay in this browser tab and are never uploaded.
The practice could not load. Please try again.
For what each section covers and how it compares with the real test, see the free OC practice test. Our app itself is for the Selective test, not OC 7SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published, so there's nothing to sign up for here.
What about OC papers and books sold online?
They aren't released papers 2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published, but some are useful practice. Before your child relies on one, check it against the published OC format.
It has 31NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sections, Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills, and no writing.
Questions stay within concepts from the NSW curriculum up to Year 41NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
It says who wrote it, and doesn't claim to be a released test.
Is there help for a child with disability or a nervous first-timer?
Yes. For children with disability, the Department can provide practice material in large print, black-and-white or braille1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published , and says they should try the online practice tests to check any assistive technology1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. In the online software, children can change the colour and size of text1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
For many children, the day of the OC test is the first time they have sat a test like this1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. The Department's social stories show what happens on the day, one for a large test room and one for a small room1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Questions parents ask about OC past papers
Are the Department's OC PDFs real past tests?
They are older paper-based versions1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published of the test, published as practice. The Department doesn't say which year's test they came from, so use them as practice papers.
Why can't I find OC papers from recent years?
The OC test moved to computers, and the Department hasn't said whether it will release those papers. 2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published A paper labelled with a recent year isn't from the Department's page, so check who produced it before relying on it.
The Department's own PDFs are older paper-based versions1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, with no year given. 2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published Open its OC practice tests page.
Are the official OC papers free to print?
Yes. You can download and print each section1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, for personal, non-commercial use only2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. That means printing for your family, not sharing or selling.
Is there an OC writing paper?
No. The OC test has no writing section, so there's no writing paper. Writing is part of the Selective test, which children usually sit in Year 68NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Can an OC paper score predict an OC place?
No. Real results come as bands that compare your child with everyone who sat that year 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and no scores or ranks are given5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Where are the Selective past papers?
On our Selective past papers page. Children usually sit the Selective test in Year 68NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and an OC place doesn't give automatic entry, so you apply separately. 9NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published