By Jon Petruch · Official details checked 21 October 2026
The OC test 2027 and selective test 2027 are both expected in early May 2027, for entry to Year 5 and Year 7 in 2028. Applications open in November 2026 and close in February 2027. As of 21 October 2026, the NSW Department of Education had not yet published the exact 2027 dates, so this page gives the official pattern, last cycle's real dates, and what to do now. We'll update it when the department releases the new dates.
Which test year applies to my child?
If your child is in Year 3 now (2026), they apply this summer and sit the OC test in May 2027, in Year 4, for Year 5 entry in 2028. If your child is in Year 5 now, they apply this summer and sit the selective test in May 2027, in Year 6, for Year 7 entry in 2028.
The confusion is that the department labels each cycle by the year of entry, not the year of the test. So "2028 entry" means the test is in 2027, and pages labelled "2027 entry" are about the test that has already happened in May 2026.
When do applications open and close?
Applications for both the OC test and the selective test are open from November to February, according to the department's placement stages. For 2028 entry, that means applying between November 2026 and February 2027.
The department says closing dates are strictly observed and no late applications are accepted. You can submit before you're sure of your school choices, because you can change them after the test up to a set deadline.
When are the 2027 tests and results?
Both tests are held in early May, with results in August for selective and September for OC, following the pattern the department publishes. Here is how last cycle's real dates compare with what's expected for the next one:
| Stage | 2027 entry (last cycle, confirmed) | 2028 entry (next cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| Applications | November 2025 to February 2026 | November 2026 to February 2027 |
| Selective test | 1 to 2 May 2026 | Early May 2027 (dates not yet published) |
| OC test | 8 to 9 May 2026 | Early May 2027 (dates not yet published) |
| Make-up test (both) | 22 May 2026 | Late May 2027 (not yet published) |
| Last day to change school choices | 5 June 2026 | Not yet published |
| Selective outcomes | 19 August 2026 | August 2027 (not yet published) |
| OC outcomes | 9 September 2026 | September 2027 (not yet published) |
The confirmed dates come from the department's key dates for 2027 entry. The next-cycle column only follows the department's own month-by-month pattern; we haven't guessed any exact days.
How will we know the exact test day?
The department sends a Test Admission Ticket about two weeks before the test, and it shows your child's test centre, date and time. All students from the same primary school sit on the same day, so the department asks families to keep both test days free until the ticket arrives.
You can't usually change the date or location. If your child is sick on the day, you can apply for the make-up test through an illness or misadventure request, which has to be lodged within about five business days.
Is there a date that matters right now?
Yes, if your child sat the test in May 2026. The reserve decision date for both OC and selective 2027 entry is 3 December 2026 at 3:00 pm, after which students holding an accepted offer are removed from higher-choice reserve lists.
If your child is on a reserve list for a school you'd prefer, you need to decide before that date whether to keep the offer you have. The department's outcomes page explains how reserve lists work.
When should my child start preparing?
Start with a diagnostic as early as you can, then let the result tell you how much time your child needs before the May test. The department says children only need a small amount of preparation and that coaching isn't needed, but places are competitive and many families start well ahead.
From Jon: Do a diagnostic first, as early as you can, and the result tells you when your child needs to start. The department's position is that coaching isn't needed. But OC places are competitive, other families are preparing, and if your child wants a place, it makes sense to prepare too. Some parents start tuition in Year 1. I've seen gifted children prepare two years ahead for these exams. They probably didn't need it, but they were happy to do it, they were clever anyway, and it was good stimulation for them.
Whatever you decide, the department's free practice tests are the place to start, so the format isn't new on the day. When you're ready for more timed practice, our OC practice tests and NSW Selective practice tests are independent, exam-style tests with worked explanations. For what's in each test, see our guides to the OC test and the selective schools test.