OC placement follows the same broad logic as selective placement, with a few differences worth knowing. The key idea: it’s relative and competitive, not a fixed bar you clear.
It’s a merit list, not a pass mark
A child’s result reflects how they performed compared with every other applicant, and that standing is used to build a merit list. There’s no fixed pass mark and no published cut-off — the threshold for any school depends on demand that year. We dig into the “what score” question in what score to pass the OC test.
Preferences and offers
When you apply through the Department of Education, you can list up to four school preferences in order — one more than for selective. Offers are then made by merit and the order of your preferences, so the system tries to place a child as high up their list as their result allows. Preference order genuinely matters, so think it through.
It’s very competitive
OC entry is intensely competitive — across the state, roughly one in eight applicants is offered a place. That’s even tighter, proportionally, than the Selective test. Because each of the three sections is weighted roughly equally, balanced performance is what carries through; a weak spot in one area can pull a result down.
Gender balance from 2027
From 2027, OC places are balanced equally between girls and boys. It’s worth knowing how the policy applies in your year, so check the Department’s current details.
Keeping it in perspective
These are big odds for young children, and a place isn’t a verdict on a child’s ability. Importantly, an OC place does not guarantee a selective place later — we explain that in does OC lead to selective. To prepare well, realistic OC practice tests and a guided program like OC Mastery help a child show their best on the day. Always confirm the current rules on the NSW Department of Education website.