Opportunity Classes (OC) are offered in selected government schools across NSW and cater for academically gifted and talented children in Years 5 and 6. They provide a rich and intellectually stimulating educational environment.

Students who wish to be placed in OC in Year 5 need to sit the test in Year 4. For 2020 entry, Year 4 students will sit the test on Wednesday 31 July, 2019.

Parents of prospective applicants for OC must complete an “Intention to Apply” form provided by the school, then complete an online application.

Entry into OC is administered by High Performing Students Unit of the NSW Department of Education and determined by two factors:

1. Students’ results in the OC Test – English (reading comprehension), mathematics and general ability.
2. Students’ school’s assessment of their performance in English and mathematics in Year 4 and occasionally Year 3.

Opportunity Class entry scores for 2019

Number of vacancies: 1,740
Number of applicants: 11,850

Below is a list showing every school in NSW and their minimum entry score for opportunity class. The minimum entry score is the score of the lowest scoring student to accept a place there.

OC Preparation at Global Education Academy

At Global Education Academy, our OC Preparation Course exposes students to the structure and types of questions commonly used in the OC Placement Test and gives them systematic instruction and practice to cultivate higher order thinking skills.

With her extensive knowledge and experience in ICAS-maths at Educational Assessment Australia – UNSW, our founder Dr. Awawdeh has developed a comprehensive program that involves all the techniques needed to answer questions that require higher-order thinking, particularly multiple choice questions.

The GEA OC preparation course is structured around the three areas that are tested; English, mathematics and general ability. It also enhances student performance across these disciplines. Students need to have exceptional skills in reasoning, problem-solving, exam strategies, extended vocabulary, extensive general ability, time management (as they have less than one minute to answer each question) and the ability to manage their cognitive load effectively.

The program allows students to consistently practice problem-solving strategies and mathematical reasoning skills to achieve exceptional performance. It also improves their reading comprehension and expands their vocabulary and general knowledge.

Students attend a 4-hour class once a week for 25 weeks. Term 1 and Term 2 and 5 intensive days in the holiday before the test (July).

The program includes 5 mock tests where students complete each test under exam conditions. These mock tests mimic the actual test. Comprehensive feedback is given to students in the following session.

Each week, students receive units written by GEA that are mapped to the syllabus and written based on Cognitive Load Theory.

In week 9 of each term of the course, students are assessed to measure their progress. Full feedback is given to students. Week 10 is the consolidation week. Parents receive a comprehensive report of their child’s progress and full support in the application process.

Why Global Education Academy?

GEA boasts two convenient locations, the first is in the heart of Kogarah, and the second in Turramurra, catering for families in the upper-north shore and surrounds.

Sessions at Global Education Academy are conducted in a supportive, friendly, and engaging learning environment where the academic development of each student comes first. We also offer our students many hours of extra support.

To apply for GEA’s OC Intensive Preparation Holiday Course please click here or call us on 1300 001 432.

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