Blog

The most important term of selective preparation isn't Year 6 Term 1

Most families treat Year 6 Term 1 as the serious part. The mistake is that by then, the meaningful decisions have already been made.

OC appeals and reserve lists: the dates after results

9 September is only the first date. Here's the appeal deadline, the reserve decision date, and what each outcome actually asks you to do.

When are OC results released in 2026?

The NSW Department of Education now lists 9 September 2026 as the expected date. Here's what that means, how you'll get the result, and what not to do while you wait.

When are Selective results released in 2026?

Selective High School outcomes for Year 7 entry in 2027 are expected on 19 August 2026 — with an appeal deadline a week later and a reserve decision date in December.

From OC Maths to Selective Maths: What Actually Changes

The ten areas of maths stay the same. What changes is the depth, the abstraction, and how much your child needs to know without thinking.

From OC Reading to Selective Reading: What Actually Changes

The six areas of reading comprehension stay the same. What changes is the depth of the texts, the complexity of the questions, and how much analysis is expected.

From OC Thinking Skills to Selective Thinking Skills: What Actually Changes

The five categories of thinking skills stay the same. What changes is the complexity of the reasoning required — and how much students can rely on quick pattern recognition.

From OC to Selective: Thinking About the Transition

The OC test is often a family's first serious experience with NSW placement testing. Here's what carries over into selective preparation — and what needs to change.

The night before the OC test: what to do (and what not to do)

Cramming the night before the OC test does more harm than good. Here's how to use the final evening to set your child up for their best performance.

What to expect on OC test day: a parent's practical guide

From the moment you arrive at the test centre to when you walk back out — what actually happens during the OC test, and what you should know before you go.

The final week before the OC test: should we still be practising?

In the last week before the OC test, the instinct is to cram more in. Here's why that backfires — and what to do instead.

The 10-Week OC Test Game Plan: How to Use the Final Weeks Wisely

The OC test is 10 weeks away. Whether your child has been preparing for months or you're just getting serious now, what matters most is how you use the time that's left.

4 Mental Maths Strategies Every OC Candidate Should Know

How to Help Your Child Handle OC Test Pressure (Without Making It Worse)

Why Your Child's Practice Scores Aren't Improving (And What to Do About It)

Your child has been practising for weeks. Scores go up a bit, then back down, then stay flat. You're wondering: have we hit a wall? Probably not. You've most likely hit the limit of what repetition alone can do.

Playing the OC School Game: What the Numbers Actually Say

The 14% acceptance rate headline is almost useless. What actually matters is the competitiveness of the specific schools on your list.

Why Reviewing Past Questions Is As Important As Taking Practice Tests

Real improvement comes from understanding past questions, not just doing new ones

How Many OC Practice Questions Should a Child Do Each Week?

Why the right kind of practice matters more than the number of questions

OC Test Preparation Compared: Books, Tutoring, and Online Practice

Parents preparing for the OC test often choose between books, tutoring, and online practice. This guide explains what each option does best, and how to use them effectively.

What Good OC Test Practice Actually Looks Like (And Why Most Kids Aren’t Getting It)

Here's how to recognise effective OC test practice and avoid common traps

We're Solving the Wrong Problem with Opportunity Class Quotas

NSW's 50/50 gender quota for gifted programmes will impose 'diversity hire' stigma on primary school children instead of addressing why girls are opting out

How OC Reserve Bands actually work

Reserve band offers are real opportunities, not consolation prizes. Here's the deep dive into how you should treat them.

Digital Reading is a Completely Different Skill Your Child Needs to Master

How to bridge the 25% comprehension gap between paper and screen reading

OC & Selective Placement Tests: What Went Wrong in 2025 — and What’s Changing for This Year’s Digital Tests

A summarised review of the detailed 53 page report produced by the independent investigation, with what parents really want to know.

How do NAPLAN Results Predict OC Test Success? The Evidence-Based Answer Every NSW Parent Needs

The OC test measures how your child thinks, not what they know. And that's exactly why NAPLAN results don't matter, no matter how much you worry about them.

Thinking Skills tests are now live on OC Test Prep!

After rigorous testing, we're proud to announce the release of our high quality thinking skills question bank

Three questions to understand whether your child is ready for OC

It's important to have honest conversations with your child about whether OC is right for them. Here's a simple script you can try

Your Child vs The Computer Screen: Managing Digital Test Reality

A practical guide for parents who worry about screen time

Practice Secrets for OC Test Success

Short, scheduled drills and review sessions help your child retain more for test day

A Complete OC Test Timeline: Year 3 to Test Day

A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

What Score Does My Child Need to Get Into the OC Class?

The specific score your child should target if they want to get into an OC class

Should My Child Prepare for the OC Test?

If the test is a measure of potential, does my child need to actively prepare for this test? Shouldn't their innate ability determine their outcome?