Update: OC schools like Woollahra, Caringbah North and Chatswood have halved their intake.

In 2024 and 2025, roughly 13,200 students sat the OC Test. Roughly only 2000 students make it every year.

The truth is that the test is extremely competitive and, to the quote the Selective High Schools Unit, "discriminatory" (but in a good way). After all, the program is geared towards motivating gifted and talented students.

For the purpose of informing parents and to save time, here is our take on the test and the students who try out, based on decades of teaching all kinds of students:

1. Genetics help but it's not everything. The truth is some students understand concepts faster than others.
2. Hard work and drive definitely help as you can train your child for the styles of questions in this test.
3. Rote learning is necessary but not without true understanding first. For the latter, you need good educators who know how to break down concepts.
4. This test is not for everyone and that's alright. We know many creative students who scored in the top 10% for writing but had no interest in mathematical reasoning and thinking skills.
5. Consistency beats intensity. Your child will be better off studying 30 minutes daily than 3.5 hours one day of the week.
6. The fastest and cheapest way to improve in reading and comprehension is to read advanced books and short stories. For example, Wind in the Willows.
7. Polish your poetry skills. Students in year 3 and 4 can intepret things literally when sometimes it's about figure of speech.
8. The close passage looks simple but it's not.
9. The mathematical reasoning questions are not difficult for our students but it is when you have 40 minutes to complete 35 questions.
10. On simple questions, careless mistakes kill. Show working-out.
11. Thinking Skills has a lot of debating-like questions where your child will need to choose the best answer over good answers. For example, a question might ask which of the following statements in the multiple choices MOST STRENGTHEN another statement.
12. There is no writing task unlike the Selective High Schools Test.
13. Exam conditioning in trial tests is crucial for most students who are serious about getting in, especially because year 3 students learn very basic concepts at school.
14. Peaking at the right time reduces the risk of burn-out when your child is studying.

In 2016, one of our top students, Gilbert Johanneman, achieved the second-highest rank in NSW. You can check out our HONOURS LIST here.

Most of our students receive offers in top-tier schools like:

• Beecroft
• North Rocks
• Summer Hill
• Hurstville
• Caringbah North
• Sutherland
• Miranda
• Artamon
• Woolhara
• Waitara

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SIGI Programs

ROCKET OC TRIAL TESTS: Perfect for exam conditioning and questions

CORE CLASS: Structured learning that emphasises strong foundations

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ROCKET OC TRIAL TESTS

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