Parents often use “OC” and “selective” interchangeably, but they’re two separate tests for two different stages of primary school. Here’s the clean version.
When each is sat
- OC (Opportunity Class) test — sat in Year 4, for entry into an Opportunity Class in Years 5 and 6. Opportunity Classes are enriched classes at selected public primary schools.
- Selective test — sat in Year 6, for entry into an academically selective high school in Year 7.
What’s on each
Both are computer-based and share three sections — Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills. The key difference: the Selective test adds a Writing task (30 minutes, typed), and weights all four sections equally. The OC test has no writing and weights its three sections equally.
How they fit together
OC is best thought of as an enrichment opportunity in primary school, not a shortcut to high school. Completing an Opportunity Class does not automatically secure a selective place — families apply separately in Year 5, and the child sits the Year 6 Selective test like everyone else. That said, two years in a strong cohort can build the reasoning, writing and exam stamina that help later.
For the full mechanics of each, see our guides to the OC test and the Selective test.