OC & Selective results
When results are released in 2026, and how to understand your child’s report. NSW no longer gives a test score or a rank — children are placed in bands — so this page explains, plainly, what the Performance Report tells you and what the reserve list means.
- 19 Aug 2026
- Selective results
- 9 Sep 2026
- OC results (Term 3, from 12 pm)
- 3 Dec 2026
- Reserve list decision
Written and reviewed by the Hootbrook education team · Last reviewed 30 August 2026
Quick answer
Selective results are released on 19 August 2026 and Opportunity Class (OC) results on 9 September 2026, for entry in 2027. NSW no longer gives an individual score or rank — instead a Performance Report places your child, for each part of the test, in one of four bands (top 10% / next 15% / next 25% / lowest 50%), showing how they ranked against other candidates rather than a mark out of 100. It is one snapshot, not the whole picture of your child.
The Performance Report, explained in 80 seconds
Bands, rankings and the reserve list — everything on this page, watchable with your child.
When are the results released?
These are the release and appeal dates for the tests sat in 2026 (for entry in 2027). Selective results come first, then OC in Term 3.
Selective High School
19 August 2026
Appeal by 26 August 2026
Opportunity Class (OC)
9 September 2026, from 12 pm (Term 3)
Appeal by 16 September 2026
For both tests, the reserve list decision date is 3 December 2026. Dates come straight from the NSW Department of Education — check the official outcomes page for anything time-sensitive.
How to read the Performance Report
NSW no longer gives an individual test score or a placement rank — for anyone. Instead you receive a Performance Report. For each part of the test, it places your child in one of four bands. The band shows how your child ranked against the other children who sat the test — not the percentage of questions they answered correctly.
1Top 10%
Ranked in the top 10% of everyone who sat this part of the test.
2Next 15%
The next 15% of candidates, just below the top group.
3Next 25%
The next 25% of candidates below that.
4Lowest 50%
The lower half of candidates on this part of the test.
So a band of “top 10%” means your child scored higher than about 90% of candidates on that part — it is a ranking, not a mark out of 100.
What the reserve list bands mean
If your child is not offered a place straight away, they may be placed on a reserve list and grouped into bands. These bands are an estimate of the chance of an offer — not a guarantee.
Selective High School
Most reserve bands mean an offer is likely if a place becomes available.
The last (lowest) band means an offer is unlikely.
Opportunity Class (OC)
Most reserve bands mean an offer is likely if a place becomes available.
The last (lowest) band means an offer is unlikely.
The reserve list decision date for both tests is 3 December 2026 — that is a decision date, not the end of offers. If vacancies come up, places can still be offered right through to the end of Term 1 of the entry year. A band is a best estimate of how likely an offer is, and roughly when one might come; it is never a promise of one.
Appeals
If you would like to appeal a result, note the deadline for each test — and lodge it before then.
Selective High School
Appeal by 26 August 2026.
Opportunity Class (OC)
Appeal by 16 September 2026.
Full details of how appeals work are on the official NSW outcomes page.
A result is not the whole child
A placement test measures a narrow slice of ability on a single day — it does not measure how curious, kind or capable your child is. If a place is not offered, there are calm next steps: your child may be on the reserve list, a great local school is always an option, and where they are still eligible they can try again. Whatever the report says, your child is so much more than a band on a page.
Keep going
Free guides and practice for every part of selective-school preparation.
OC & selective results — frequently asked
When are OC and selective results released in 2026?
Selective High School results are released on 19 August 2026. Opportunity Class (OC) results are released from 12 pm on 9 September 2026, in Term 3. For both tests, the reserve list decision date is 3 December 2026.
Why don’t I get a test score or a rank?
NSW no longer gives individual test scores or placement ranks — the change was made to protect student privacy and wellbeing and to avoid unhealthy competition. Instead you receive a Performance Report that places your child in a band for each part of the test. There are no set minimum entry scores.
What do the bands on the Performance Report mean?
For each part of the test your child is placed in one of four bands: the top 10%, the next 15%, the next 25%, or the lowest 50% of candidates. The band shows how your child ranked against the other children who sat the test — not the percentage of questions they answered correctly.
What is the reserve list?
If your child is not offered a place straight away, they may be placed on a reserve list, grouped into bands. This works the same way for selective and OC: most reserve bands mean an offer is likely if a place becomes available, and the last (lowest) band means an offer is unlikely. These bands are an estimate of the chance of an offer — and of roughly when one might come — not a guarantee. The reserve list decision date is 3 December 2026, but that is not the end of offers: if vacancies come up, places can still be offered up to the end of Term 1 of the entry year.
Can I appeal the result?
Yes. If you would like to appeal, the deadline for selective results is 26 August 2026, and for OC results it is 16 September 2026. Full details of how appeals work are on the official NSW outcomes page.
Does the result reflect my whole child?
No. A placement test measures a narrow slice of ability on a single day. If your child is not offered a place, there are calm next steps — the reserve list, a great local school, or trying again where your child is still eligible.
Whatever the result, the next step is the same
Start with the free assessment. It finds your child’s real level across Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills — so support begins from the truth, not a guess.