Opportunity class practice tests

What is in the test?

The Opportunity Class Placement Test is a computer-based test that has 3 sections. Students sit the placement test in an external test centre where computers are provided. All questions are multiple-choice and are answered using the computer.

Test component No. of questions Time Weighting
Reading Test 13 (2 questions have multiple parts to answer) 30 minutes 33.3%
Mathematical Reasoning Test 35 40 minutes 33.3%
Thinking Skills Test 30 30 minutes 33.3%

More about the 3 test sections

Reading Test

The Reading Test questions assess various reading skills through a diverse range of texts.

The texts include different genres such as:

  • non-fiction
  • fiction
  • poetry
  • magazine articles
  • reports.

The Reading Test has 13 questions (2 questions have multiple parts to answer). You will have 30 minutes to complete this test.

Mathematical Reasoning Test

The Mathematical Reasoning Test assesses the student's ability to use mathematical understanding and knowledge to solve problems from a range of math topics.

The Mathematical Reasoning Test has 35 questions. You will have 40 minutes to complete this test.

Calculators are not used in the Mathematical Reasoning Test (or any other test section).

Thinking Skills Test

The Thinking Skills Test evaluates the student's critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through various question types.

The Thinking Skills Test has 30 questions. You will have 30 minutes to complete this test.

No previous knowledge is required for this test.

Video – The Opportunity Class Placement Test: a guide for students (duration 4:01)

Video: The Opportunity Class Placement Test – a guide for students

Student resource hub

Did you know there is a Student resource hub where your child can:

  • learn more about whether an opportunity class might be a good fit
  • take interactive quizzes
  • practise test items to help them prepare
  • and lots more.

Practice tests

Your child may feel more confident and prepared if they familiarise themselves with the test by using the:

  • online computer-based practice tests
  • PDF copies of practice tests.

The online computer-based practice tests will simulate the actual placement tests. These practice tests are timed and show the different types of test content and questions students will be asked to answer. After completing each multiple-choice test section, students will be able to see what questions were answered correctly and incorrectly. Each multiple-choice question is worth one mark. The answers to the online computer-based practice tests are found in the PDF practice test’s answer sheets linked below.

The online computer-based practice test will also help students familiarise themselves with the placement test software and the functions available. Students can learn more about the tests and functions in the Student resource hubs for selective high schools and opportunity classes.

The online computer-based practice tests work on most computer devices. To ensure they function and display as intended, check that your device and browser meets the minimum technical requirements outlined below.

We encourage students, parents and carers to access both the online computer-based practice tests and the PDF copies either at home, at school or their public library.

Equipment, network and browser requirements

The table below outlines these minimum requirements to operate the online practice tests.

Screen

Display must measure 24.6 cm (9.5 inches) diagonally and support resolution of at least 1024 x 768 at 32,000 colours.

Keyboard

Physical keyboard (wired or wireless) is required for laptops and desktop computers.

Physical keyboard (wired or wireless) is required for Windows touch devices.

Pointing device

Mouse, trackpad, touchpad or touch screen or other pointing device that the student is familiar using. Apple pencil is not supported.

Network

Connected to the internet with at least 100 kilobit per second download and 5 kilobit per second upload for each concurrent device in a test session.

Browsers

Browser Supported Versions

Internet Explorer

Not supported

Microsoft Edge

121 or later

Firefox

122 or later

Safari

17 or later

Chrome

121 or later

Device requirements

Device type Supported operating system Hardware Not supported

Windows

Windows 10, version 22H2 or later

PC or tablet capable of running supported operating system, 1GB hard drive space free


Note: Physical keyboard (wired or wireless) and mouse (or touchpad) are required for Windows touch devices.

Windows RT, Windows 10S, Windows CE, Windows Terminal Services, Virtual D

Mac

macOS 10.15.6 or later

Mac capable of running supported operating system, 1GB hard drive space free

N/A

Chromebook

Chromebook version 90 or later

Manufactured during 2016 or later.

Note: Physical keyboard (wired or wireless) and mouse (or touchpad) are required for Chromebook touch devices.


Apple iPad

iPadOS 15 or later

iPad Air 2 Pro (1st generation)

iPad (5th generation)


Note: Apple pencil is not supported.

iPad Mini (all models)

iPad Air (1st generation)

Android

TBC

TBC

TBC

Reasonable adjustments

For students with disability who require approved reasonable adjustments, the (soon to be released) online practice tests can be used to test the compatibility of their assistive technology and/or to practise using accessible tests, for example different colour themes, fonts and backgrounds.

More information about what reasonable adjustments are available and how to request them is included at Using the application website (see step 4).

Accessible Test Materials

Alternative format practice tests including large-print, black-and-white print and braille are available for students with disability.

Parents/carers of students who require modified materials (e.g. braille papers) should email the Selective Education Unit or call the unit on 1300 880 367 for further information.

Online computer-based practice tests

PDF copies of the practice tests

Copies of the online computer-based practice tests, answers and the explanation of answers are also available in PDF format below. You can download and print the PDF versions of each test section.

The explanation of answers can be used to support the online practice tests.

Sample practice tests with explained answers

Section Links to samples

Reading

Reading sample questions (PDF 1.4 MB)

Reading sample answers (PDF 95 KB)

Explanation of answers - Reading (PDF 2.6 MB)


Mathematical Reasoning

Mathematical reasoning sample questions (PDF 1.8 MB)

Mathematical reasoning sample answers (PDF 56 KB)

Explanation of answers - Mathematical reasoning (PDF 3.6 MB)


Thinking Skills

Thinking skills sample questions (PDF 2 MB)

Thinking skills sample answers (PDF 78 KB)

Explanation of answers - Thinking skills (PDF 1.7 MB)



Social stories

Helping students to know what to expect in the test centre

Your child may not have done a test like this before and might be feeling uncertain about doing a test in an unfamiliar place with other students they don't know.

If they are feeling nervous or would just like some help to approach the day in a positive way, you may like to download our 'social story' using one of the links below. You can read and discuss it with your child and share ways to respond to challenging or unfamiliar situations.

There is a version for students who have been approved to sit the test in a smaller room and a version for students who will be in the main part of the test centre.

Category:

  • Teaching and learning

Topics:

  • Primary school

Business Unit:

  • Educational Standards
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