Short answer: build reading and maths habits from Year 2 or 3, start light practice with OC-style questions in the second half of Year 3, and begin regular timed practice about six months before the test. The OC test is sat in May of Year 4. For 2028 entry, it's on 11 and 12 May 2027.
You don't need to start in kindergarten, and you don't need years of coaching. The NSW Department of Education says children only need a small amount of preparation and don't need coaching. What helps most is familiarity with the question types, steady reading and enough timed practice that test day feels normal.
The key dates
| Step | Timing | For 2028 entry |
|---|---|---|
| Applications open | November of Year 3 | 5 November 2026 |
| Applications close | February of Year 4 | 15 February 2027 |
| OC placement test | May of Year 4 | 11 and 12 May 2027 |
| Last day to change school choices | June of Year 4 | 25 June 2027 |
| Outcomes | September of Year 4 | September 2027 |
| Start in an opportunity class | Year 5 | Term 1, 2028 |
A year-by-year timeline
Year 2 to early Year 3: build the foundations
No test practice yet. Focus on:
- Daily reading, including some non-fiction, and talking about what you read
- Times tables and mental maths
- Puzzles and games that build reasoning, like logic puzzles, pattern games and strategy board games
These habits matter more than anything you'll do later.
Second half of Year 3: get familiar
- Try a few OC-style questions a week in reading, maths reasoning and thinking skills. No timer yet.
- Sit one free sample test to see where your child is starting.
- Learn the thinking skills question types, which most children have never seen at school.
About one to two hours a week is plenty. See how many hours a week.
Term 4 of Year 3 to Term 1 of Year 4: build skills
This is about six months before the test.
- Short sessions, four or five times a week
- Work on the weakest section first
- Start timing single sections once accuracy is good
- Keep reading every day
Term 2 of Year 4: test conditions
- In the last six to eight weeks, do one full timed practice test a week, sections in the real order
- Review every wrong answer and talk about why it was wrong
- In the final week, ease off. Sleep and a normal routine matter more than cramming.
Starting late
Applications don't close until February, so many families decide late. If you have:
- Three months: sit a baseline test, spend six weeks on the two weakest areas, then do four weeks of timed practice.
- Six weeks: focus on format and timing. Two or three full practice tests, with careful review, are worth more than rushing through new topics.
A late start is still worth it. Familiarity with the format is the biggest single gain.
Signs you're overdoing it
- Your child dreads practice or says they "hate" the test
- Practice is crowding out sport, play or friends
- Sleep or mood is getting worse
- Every conversation is about the test
If you see these, cut back. A relaxed child who's done less often performs better than an anxious one who's done more. See our guide to exam anxiety in children.
Does missing out on OC matter?
No. OC results have no effect on selective high school entry. Many students who miss out on OC get into a selective school in Year 7. See OC test results.
Free 12-week prep planner
Want a plan you can print and stick on the fridge? Our free 12-week test prep planner has the four phases, weekly hours, a weekly planner page, a mistake log and a test-day checklist. Get the free planner and we'll email it to you.
Where to start
- The OC test explained
- OC test sample questions
- OC schools list
- Free sample test to see where your child is starting
- OC practice tests: 24 full timed tests with worked explanations
Frequently asked questions
When should I start preparing for the OC test? Light practice from the second half of Year 3, with regular timed practice for about six months before the May test in Year 4.
Is Year 4 too late to start OC preparation? No. Applications close in February of Year 4 and the test is in May, so a start in Term 1 of Year 4 gives about three months.
Does my child need coaching for the OC test? The NSW Department of Education says coaching isn't needed. Short, regular practice to get used to the format is enough for most children.
Sources: NSW Department of Education, application process and key dates for 2028 entry (page updated 27 October 2026). Timeline recommendations are our own. Not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education.