Reading
Reading a range of texts, finding important information and making inferences.
OC PreparationBuild the reasoning skills the OC test asks for.
Students sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test in Year 4, for entry into Year 5.
Thinking Skills is not a standard school subject, so the important thing is that your child gets exposure before the exam.
- Years 3 and 4
- Built on METS
- Free METS trial
What is an Opportunity Class (OC)?
Opportunity Classes are Year 5 and Year 6 classes in some NSW public primary schools that provide an academically challenging environment for students who meet the required academic merit for placement.
Students sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test in Year 4, for entry into Year 5.
Important: exact dates change each year, so always check the latest information from the NSW Department of Education.
Free trial available for METS only.
OC at a glance
- Test sat in Year 4
- Entry into Year 5
- Reading
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Thinking Skills
- METS builds the foundation
What is in the OC Placement Test?
The Opportunity Class Placement Test assesses skills such as reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving.
Mathematical Reasoning
Applying mathematical knowledge to solve problems, including unfamiliar ones.
Thinking Skills
Identifying patterns and relationships, using logic and reasoning their way towards the answer.
Want to see what the test looks like? The NSW Department of Education provides official practice materials so parents and students can become familiar with the test format.
OC Preparation by Year Level
Year 3: Start Preparing Early
There is more time to gradually build skills before moving into test-specific preparation. Start with METS.
Year 4: Start Now
The OC test is this year. Now is the time to prepare, so your child has time to build their skills and learn from their mistakes.
Thinking Skills is Not a Standard School Subject
Thinking Skills tests how your child thinks through a problem, rather than simply what they have memorised. Students need to develop these skills through practice, targeted preparation and exposure to the types of questions they will encounter.
Recognise patterns
Identify what changes, what stays the same and what comes next.
Identify relationships
Work out how different pieces of information are connected.
Apply logic
Use the information provided to eliminate possibilities and reach a conclusion.
Think flexibly
Try a different approach when the first idea doesn't work.
Think under pressure
Apply reasoning skills within the time available during the test.
Solve unfamiliar problems
There isn't always a formula your child can simply remember. They need to reason their way towards the answer.
METS: Build the Academic Foundation
METS is our 3-hour weekly program covering:
- Mathematics
- English
- Thinking Skills
METS is a strong foundation for students who may later pursue OC, Selective School or scholarship preparation.
Students develop the knowledge, comprehension, problem-solving and reasoning skills that underpin the test, rather than simply completing test questions.
Free trial available for METS only.
OC Preparation: Practise for the Test
Walking into the exam and seeing these question types for the first time can be very different from having already practised how to approach them.
Students practise:
- Reading
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Thinking Skills
- Timed questions
- OC-style questions
- Reviewing mistakes
- Working under exam conditions
The important thing is that your child gets exposure before the exam.
Preparation Takes Time
OC preparation isn't just about knowing the answers. Students need time to become comfortable with unfamiliar questions, different ways of thinking and working under timed conditions.
This gives students time to:
- 1Learn
- 2Practise
- 3Make mistakes
- 4Understand
- 5Improve
- 6Practise again
That's much more useful than trying to cram everything into the final few weeks before the test.
We Don't Just Want Students to Know the Answer
We want them to understand how to find it. Because eventually, the questions change. The numbers change. The wording changes. The pattern changes.
- 1Learn the skill
- 2Practise the skill
- 3Apply the skill
- 4Review the mistake
- 5Try again
What matters is whether your child can look at something unfamiliar and think: "I know how to work this out." That's the skill we're developing.
OC Preparation Builds Skills for Later
The reasoning, comprehension and problem-solving skills developed through OC preparation are the same kinds of skills students need for later academic tests.
So even if your child doesn't take up an OC place, developing these skills can still be valuable.
Skills that also help with:
- The Selective High School Placement Test
- Private school entrance examinations
- Academic scholarship examinations
- More challenging academic work
Start OC preparation
Give your child the time to build their skills before the OC test.
Start with METS. We offer a FREE trial lesson for METS, so you can see how your child responds to our teaching before making a commitment. Let our lesson experience speak for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do students sit the OC test?
Students sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test in Year 4, for entry into Year 5. Exact dates change each year, so always check the latest information from the NSW Department of Education.
What is in the OC test?
The OC Placement Test covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills.
When should my child start preparing?
Year 3 gives your child more time to gradually build their skills. If your child is already in Year 4, now is the time to prepare.
Does school prepare students for Thinking Skills?
Your child's school may develop general problem-solving and reasoning abilities, but Thinking Skills is not a standard school subject. Students need to become familiar with these question types before exam day.
Does my child need to do OC preparation?
No. OC preparation is not necessary for every child. However, if you are considering applying for the OC exam to see how they go, spending some time preparing makes a significant difference to your child's confidence level. As a parent we can provide the tools and opportunities, but the rest is up to them!
Is there a free trial?
Yes. We offer a FREE trial lesson for METS, so you can see how your child responds to our teaching before making a commitment.
Have another question? Ask Miu.
Miu can answer questions about OC preparation, class times, centres and fees, any time of day.
- Which class suits my child?
- What are the class times?
- Which centre is closest?