NSW opportunity class (OC) results, called placement outcomes, are released in September of Year 4 through your online application dashboard. For Year 5 entry in 2027, they came out on 9 September 2026. For 2028 entry, expect them in September 2027, after the OC placement test on 11 and 12 May 2027.
OC results arrive about three weeks after selective results, and the rules are similar but not identical. This guide covers what's different for OC.
Key dates
| 2027 entry (this year) | 2028 entry (next year) | |
|---|---|---|
| OC placement test | 8 to 9 May 2026 | 11 to 12 May 2027 |
| Make-up test | 22 May 2026 | 10 June 2027 |
| Last day to change school choices | 5 June 2026 | 25 June 2027 |
| Outcomes released | 9 September 2026 | September 2027 (date to be confirmed) |
| Appeals close | 16 September 2026 | About five business days after outcomes |
| Reserve decision date | 3 December 2026, 3:00 pm | Early December 2027 (to be confirmed) |
| Reserve offers can continue until | End of Term 1, 2027 | End of Term 1, 2028 |
Applications for 2028 entry open on 5 November 2026 and close on 15 February 2027.
What you'll see on results day
An outcome for each school
Each OC school you chose shows offer, offer and higher-choice reserve list, reserve list only, unsuccessful or not applicable. As with selective, you only get one offer at first, from the highest choice your child qualified for.
If you get an offer, accept or decline it by the due date in your dashboard. If you miss the date, you lose the offer.
The performance report
The OC performance report shows your child's band in each section of the test: reading, mathematical reasoning and thinking skills. There's no writing section in the OC test. The bands are:
- Top 10%
- Next 15%
- Next 25%
- Lowest 50%
There's no mark, score or rank, and the department doesn't publish minimum entry scores for any OC school.
OC reserve bands (A to E)
OC uses five bands, not six like selective:
| Band | Estimated offer (2027 entry) |
|---|---|
| A | Within about 1 month (by end of September) |
| B | Within about 2 months (by end of October) |
| C | By end of November |
| D | By end of December |
| E | Unlikely to get an offer |
Bands are estimates based on last year. Opportunity classes are small, with 15 places in many classes, so one or two families declining can move a reserve list a long way. It can also mean almost no movement at all.
The OC reserve rule is different
This catches families out.
- Selective: after the reserve decision date, holding an accepted offer removes you from all higher-choice reserve lists.
- OC: if you've accepted an offer and you're on the reserve list for your first-choice school, you're removed from that reserve list on the reserve decision date. To stay on it, you must decline the offer you accepted before that date.
A declined offer can't be got back. Read our accept or wait guide before you decide.
Equal places for girls and boys
From the 2027 intake, every opportunity class has an equal number of places for girls and boys. In a 15-place class, that's 7 places for girls, 7 for boys and 1 open place. This changes how each list moves, so a band at one school may move faster or slower than past years suggest.
Appeals
You can appeal an OC outcome only on limited grounds, such as a documented medical or unforeseen event on test day, within about five business days of outcomes. Practice test scores, school reports, NAPLAN and disappointment don't count. See our appeals guide.
If your child missed out on OC
An OC result has no effect on selective high school entry. Selective places are decided by a separate test in Year 6.
Many students who miss out on OC get into a selective high school two years later, and some OC students don't. The Year 4 test catches children at one point in time. In the next two years, reading stamina, reasoning and writing can all change a lot.
What to do next:
- Ask your school about extension or gifted programs in Years 5 and 6.
- Look at the performance report pattern. A lower thinking skills band usually responds well to regular, short practice.
- Start writing practice. The selective test adds a writing section that OC doesn't have, and it's often the section families leave too late. See our selective writing test guide.
- Plan for the selective test. Applications for 2029 entry will open in November 2027, with the test in May 2028.
Preparing for OC 2028 entry
If your child is in Year 3 now, applications open on 5 November 2026 and the test is on 11 and 12 May 2027. Read the OC test explained and practise with our OC practice tests, 24 timed tests with worked explanations.
Frequently asked questions
When are OC results released? In September of Year 4. For 2027 entry, outcomes came out on 9 September 2026. For 2028 entry, expect September 2027.
What does OC reserve band E mean? An offer is unlikely, based on how far lists moved last year.
Does missing out on OC affect selective high school entry? No. Selective entry is decided by a separate test in Year 6.
Can I see my child's OC score? No. The performance report shows bands only, with no mark or rank.
Sources: NSW Department of Education, application process and key dates (page updated 27 October 2026), opportunity class reserve list bands, outcomes and appeals pages; NSW Government announcement on equal places for girls and boys, October 2025. Practice Tests & Exams is not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education.