Tutoring in Bella Vista and online

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OC & Selective

Focused preparation for the NSW Opportunity Class and Selective High School placement tests.

Places in opportunity classes and selective high schools are competitive. The placement tests reward skills that aren’t always taught directly at school: reading closely under time pressure, reasoning through unfamiliar problems and writing well on demand. Our courses build those skills step by step.

Opportunity Class test

Sat in Year 4 for a place in Year 5. The test is computer-based, with three sections:

  • Reading
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Thinking Skills

Selective test

Sat in Year 6 for a place in Year 7. The test is computer-based, with four sections:

  • Reading
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Thinking Skills
  • Writing

Test details are current for 2026. Always check dates and requirements with the NSW Department of Education.

How we prepare students

Diagnose

A baseline test across every section shows exactly where marks are being lost.

Teach

Explicit teaching of reading strategies, reasoning methods and the problem types that appear in the tests.

Practise on screen

Timed practice in the same computer-based format students will see on test day.

Write

Regular writing tasks for Selective students, marked with specific written feedback.

Trial tests

Full practice tests under exam conditions, with a section-by-section breakdown for parents.

When to start

Many families begin preparing about a year before the test, but every child is different. After the free assessment, we’ll recommend a start date and course length that suit your child.

Courses run in small groups of two or three students, or one-to-one.

A tutor guiding two primary school students through practice questions on laptops

Start with a free assessment

See how your child is tracking across reading, maths, thinking skills and writing.