OC & Selective test dates
The officially confirmed timeline for the 2027-entry cycle — Opportunity Class (OC) for Year 5 entry in 2027, and the Selective High School test for Year 7 entry in 2027 — as published by the NSW Department of Education. Every date below is confirmed; dates for later years are not yet announced.
- 1 or 2 May 2026
- Selective placement test
- 8 or 9 May 2026
- OC placement test
- 20 Feb 2026
- Applications close
Written and reviewed by the Hootbrook education team · Last reviewed 30 August 2026
Quick answer
For 2027 entry, the Selective High School test is on 1 or 2 May 2026 and the Opportunity Class (OC) test is on 8 or 9 May 2026, with applications closing 20 February 2026 and results in August and September 2026. The dates for the 2028-entry cycle (tests in 2027) have not been announced yet.
Which dates are these?
These are the confirmed dates for the 2027-entry cycle: children sitting the test in 2026 for a place starting in 2027. The Opportunity Class (OC) test is for entry to Year 5 in 2027, and the Selective High School test is for entry to Year 7 in 2027. Both are published by the NSW Department of Education.
From 2026, the OC and Selective placement tests are held only in New South Wales. Official timetables note that dates can change, so always confirm the current year's dates on the official NSW Education page before you plan around them.
The application timeline, step by step
From applications opening to the final reserve-list decision — the officially confirmed dates for children sitting the test in 2026 for entry in 2027.
- 1
Applications open — 6 November 2025
Applications open for both the Opportunity Class (OC) and Selective High School placement tests.
- 2
Applications close — 20 February 2026
The last day to apply for either test. Late applications are not usually accepted.
- 3
Selective test — 1 or 2 May 2026
The Selective High School placement test (for Year 7 entry in 2027). The make-up test is on 22 May 2026.
- 4
OC test — 8 or 9 May 2026
The Opportunity Class placement test (for Year 5 entry in 2027). The make-up test is on 22 May 2026.
- 5
Last day to change school choices — 5 June 2026
The final day for families to update their preferred schools before offers are worked out.
- 6
Selective results — 19 August 2026
Selective High School outcomes are released on this day. Any appeal must be made by 26 August 2026.
- 7
OC results — 9 September 2026
Opportunity Class outcomes are released from 12pm, in Term 3. Any appeal must be made by 16 September 2026.
- 8
Reserve decision date — 3 December 2026
The final reserve-list decision date for both the OC and Selective placement processes.
From 2026, both tests are held only in New South Wales. Dates are set by the NSW Department of Education and can change — confirm them on the official page below.
Not yet announced
2028 entry (tests in 2027): dates not yet announced
The NSW Department of Education has not yet released the dates for the 2028-entry cycle (children sitting the test in 2027). We will not guess them. When they are published they will appear on the official NSW Education page — check it directly rather than relying on any predicted dates.
Always confirm the source
Always confirm the current year's dates on the official NSW Education page. Timetables are set by the NSW Department of Education and are subject to change, so treat the official page — not this one — as the final word.
Official NSW Education application pageKeep going
Free guides and practice for every part of selective-school preparation.
OC & Selective test dates — frequently asked
When is the OC test in 2026?
The Opportunity Class (OC) placement test for 2027 entry (Year 5) is held on 8 or 9 May 2026, with a make-up test on 22 May 2026. From 2026 the test is held only in New South Wales.
When is the selective test in 2026?
The Selective High School placement test for 2027 entry (Year 7) is held on 1 or 2 May 2026, with a make-up test on 22 May 2026. From 2026 the test is held only in New South Wales.
When do applications open and close?
Applications for both the OC and Selective placement tests open on 6 November 2025 and close on 20 February 2026. The last day to change your school choices is 5 June 2026.
When are the results released?
Selective High School outcomes are released on 19 August 2026, and Opportunity Class outcomes on 9 September 2026 (from 12pm, in Term 3). The final reserve-list decision date for both is 3 December 2026.
Are the 2028-entry dates (tests in 2027) out yet?
Not yet. As of this page's last review, the NSW Department of Education has not announced the 2028-entry test dates. Official timetables also note that dates are subject to change, so always confirm the current year's dates on the official NSW Education page.
Where are the OC and Selective tests held?
From 2026, the OC and Selective High School placement tests are held only in New South Wales, at allocated test centres. Each child sits their test in a single sitting on the day they are assigned.
Know the dates — start preparing calmly
The best preparation is unhurried and starts from the truth. A free assessment shows your child's real level across every section, so the months before the test go to what matters.