--- title: "OC Test Maths Practice NSW | Year 4, Format, Organised Lists" description: "OC test maths practice for NSW Year 4 students: the Mathematical Reasoning section, how marking works, the department's advice, and organised-list problems." canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/oc-test-maths-practice-nsw source: src/pages/oc-test-maths-practice-nsw.html --- > OC test maths practice for NSW Year 4 students: the Mathematical Reasoning section, how marking works, the department's advice, and organised-list problems. In short The OC test is the NSW Opportunity Class Placement Test, sat in Year 4 for entry to an opportunity class in Year 5. It has three computer-based sections. The maths section, Mathematical Reasoning, has 35 multiple-choice questions with five possible answers and lasts 40 minutes, with no calculator. Questions use concepts from the NSW curriculum up to Year 4. Gentle next steps ## Three courses for curious eight- and nine-year-olds Maths worth learning for its own sake, at a pace young children enjoy. [![Problem Solving and Computational Thinking for Kids course thumbnail](/images/problem-solving-kids.webp) OCM / 01 Problem solving for kids Puzzles, patterns and organised thinking, explained aloud. Open the syllabus →](/courses/problem-solving-and-computational-thinking-for-kids)[![Mental Maths for Kids course thumbnail](/images/mental-maths-kids.webp) OCM / 02 Mental maths Confident calculation without a calculator or a rush. Open the syllabus →](/courses/mental-maths-mastery-kids)[![Elementary Maths for Grades 1-5 course thumbnail](/images/elementary-maths.webp) OCM / 03 Primary maths Every strand of the early primary curriculum, taught with care. Open the syllabus →](/courses/elementary-mathematics-complete-masterclass) The test, from the department ## Three sections in Year 4, all on screen Facts below are from the NSW Department of Education, checked on 7 October 2026. | Section | Number of questions | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | Reading | 14 (3 with multiple parts) | 40 minutes | | Mathematical Reasoning | 35, each with five possible answers | 40 minutes | | Thinking Skills | 30, each with four possible answers | 30 minutes | The department describes the OC test as having three sections: reading, thinking skills and maths. The questions draw on concepts from the NSW curriculum up to Year 4, and the department says it reviews every question so that students do not need any extra knowledge. Everything is answered on a computer the department provides, at a test centre that is usually a local public high school. Children may do working out on paper, but calculators are not permitted in any section. For Year 5 entry in 2027, the OC test was held on Friday 8 to Saturday 9 May 2026, with a make-up session on Friday 22 May 2026. Children attend on one day only, and all students from a primary school are tested on the same day. The department's example timetable runs from a 9.30 am arrival to dismissal at 12.35 pm, with short breaks between sections and no long snack break, unlike the longer selective test. Sources: [Opportunity class practice tests](https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/placement-test/opportunity-class-practice-tests); [Placement test](https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/placement-test). Read on 7 October 2026; we are not part of, or endorsed by, the department. Marking and preparation ## How the practice tests are marked, and what the department advises Two things every OC family should read before buying anything. ### Marking, as described for the practice tests The department explains that in its online practice tests "Each individual response is worth 1 mark. Some questions ask for multiple responses and so are worth more than 1 mark." Its practice tests are timed with an on-screen countdown, which a child can hide if it makes them nervous. At the end, the child sees which answers were right and can review any they got wrong, with the correct answer shown. ### The department on coaching On the same page, the department says coaching or tutoring for the placement test is not necessary, that extra paid coaching outside school will not give a child an advantage, and that it does not recommend or endorse coaching. We share that view for an eight-year-old more strongly than for anyone. The official practice tests, a quiet week and a good breakfast are what a Year 4 child needs for test day. Where do our classes fit, then? Some young children are hungry for more maths than school offers, and some find Year 3 and 4 topics such as multiplication facts or fractions shaky. In both cases good teaching helps, test or no test. Our lessons teach mathematics; they are not OC coaching, and we will say so plainly in the free trial. Source: [Opportunity class practice tests](https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/placement-test/opportunity-class-practice-tests). Checked on 7 October 2026. Problems we wrote ## The organised list: count every case, miss none Many young problem solvers find some answers and stop. An organised list fixes the order in which possibilities are written, so the child knows when every case has been found. ### Fix the first choice Write every option that starts with the first item, then every option starting with the second, and so on. Order is what makes a list organised. ### Never go backwards When pairing friends, A with B already covers B with A. Only pair each person with the people after them in the list. ### Count the pattern Once a list is in order, its shape often shows a pattern, such as 3, then 2, then 1, that makes the total easy to check. | Problem | Organised list | Answer | | --- | --- | --- | | Using the digits 2, 4 and 7 once each, how many two-digit numbers can you make? | 24, 27; 42, 47; 72, 74 | 6 | | A cafe offers chocolate, mango or vanilla ice cream, in a cone or a cup. How many choices are there? | Chocolate cone, chocolate cup; mango cone, mango cup; vanilla cone, vanilla cup | 6 | | Four friends each shake hands once with everyone else. How many handshakes? | A with B, C, D; B with C, D; C with D | 6 | | How many ways can 10 be made by adding three different counting numbers? (Order does not matter.) | 1 + 2 + 7, 1 + 3 + 6, 1 + 4 + 5, 2 + 3 + 5 | 4 | | A strip of 3 squares in a row. How many rectangles can you find (count squares too)? | Length 1: three; length 2: two; length 3: one | 6 | | Using 1, 2 and 3 once each, how many three-digit numbers are there, and which is the largest even one? | 123, 132; 213, 231; 312, 321 | 6 numbers; 312 is the largest even one | Several answers here are 6, and that is no accident. Three things arranged in order, three ice cream flavours each with two containers, and four people paired up all happen to give six cases. Spotting that different-looking problems share a structure is exactly the kind of reasoning a maths section rewards. Try the handshake problem with a child and watch the list grow. Ava shakes hands with Ben, Cal and Dev: three handshakes. Ben has already met Ava, so he only needs Cal and Dev: two more. Cal still has Dev: one more. Dev has met everyone. Three, then two, then one makes six. Ask what happens with five friends, and a child who has understood the list will predict four, three, two and one, which is ten, before drawing anything. The fourth problem shows why order matters. A child who writes sums at random may list 1 + 2 + 7 and 2 + 1 + 7 as different, or miss 2 + 3 + 5 entirely. Starting with the smallest first number and keeping each list increasing guarantees every set appears exactly once. Keeping it calm ## Helping a Year 4 child on test day Practical, low-pressure ideas, most of them echoing the department's own guidance. ### Before the day Try one official online practice test together, mainly so the screens and the timer are familiar. Keep the week ordinary. Late nights of extra practice tend to make young children more anxious, not more ready. Pack what the department lists: a printed Test Admission Ticket, two 2B pencils, an eraser, a sharpener and a clear water bottle, with school uniform on. ### During the test Remind your child that it is fine to skip a hard question and come back to it. Scrap paper is for drawing and listing. An organised list on paper is quicker than holding cases in your head. Afterwards, ask what was fun or interesting rather than how many they got right. Systematic thinking ## Four steps for young problem solvers These develop naturally between about Year 2 and Year 5 with good teaching. | Step | What it looks like | Secure when the child can | | --- | --- | --- | | 1. Trying cases | Finds a few answers by trial | Give two different ways to make 10 | | 2. Ordered lists | Writes cases in a fixed order | List all ice cream choices without repeats | | 3. No double counting | Recognises that A with B equals B with A | Count four friends' handshakes correctly | | 4. Spotting structure | Sees a pattern in the list | Explain why 3, 2, 1 adds to 6 handshakes | ### Wellbeing first The department notes that too much coaching can harm wellbeing. For a Year 4 child, enjoyment of maths matters far more than any single test. If your child becomes worried, put tests away and play counting games instead. ### Older students The Year 7 selective test has its own maths section, described on [our Mathematical Reasoning page](/nsw-selective-test-mathematical-reasoning-practice). Its Thinking Skills section is covered on [our Thinking Skills page](/nsw-selective-test-thinking-skills-practice). Courses for Years 3 and 4 ## Maths courses for younger primary students Grouped by what a child enjoys or needs. Each card opens the full syllabus. I ### Problem solving Patterns, lists and logic OCM / P / 01 #### Problem solving and computational thinking Logical steps, explained aloud. [Open the syllabus](/courses/problem-solving-and-computational-thinking-for-kids) OCM / P / 02 #### Competition maths Fun puzzles for keen young minds. [Open the syllabus](/courses/olympiad-competition-mathematics-mastery) OCM / P / 03 #### Maths through coding Counting and patterns brought to life in code. [Open the syllabus](/courses/maths-through-coding)II ### Number Facts and fluency OCM / N / 01 #### Mental maths Times tables and mental strategies. [Open the syllabus](/courses/mental-maths-mastery-kids) OCM / N / 02 #### Abacus mental maths Place value made visible. [Open the syllabus](/courses/abacus-mental-maths-course-for-kids) OCM / N / 03 #### Vedic maths Patterns that speed up calculation. [Open the syllabus](/courses/vedic-maths-course-speed-calculation-mastery)III ### All strands The full curriculum OCM / A / 01 #### Primary maths Measurement, shape and data too. [Open the syllabus](/courses/elementary-mathematics-complete-masterclass) OCM / A / 02 #### Statistics and probability Chance and data for curious kids. [Open the syllabus](/courses/statistics-probability-maths-course) OCM / A / 03 #### Middle years maths For the rare child far ahead. [Open the syllabus](/courses/comprehensive-middle-school-mathematics-mastery) How we teach young children ## Short, warm, live lessons Teachers work from India, behind Sydney. During daylight saving a 4 pm Sydney class begins at 10.30 am India time, so early-afternoon slots suit young learners. Right after school Before tiredness sets in for Years 3 and 4. Saturday morning Unhurried, with time for questions. Holiday sessions A few relaxed lessons on one idea. ### Short tasks Young children work in bursts with plenty of variety. ### Lists on paper Children learn to write possibilities down in order. ### Fifteen to twenty per group Groups where every child is heard. ### One-to-one lessons For a child who prefers quiet, individual time. ### Not OC coaching We teach maths, in line with the department's advice. ### No placement claims Placement is the department's decision alone. Student work ## Made by our students Young learners' projects, built for fun. See the [student labs](/student-labs). ![NutriLife AI nutrition coach project screenshot](/images/projects/nutrilife.webp) AI and ML #### NutriLife An AI nutrition coach that reads what you eat and works you toward a target. by Bhavya · [Open it](https://nutrilife-bhavya.lovable.app) ![Misti AI chatbot for maths and coding screenshot](/images/projects/misti.webp) AI and ML #### Misti A chatbot that answers mathematics and programming questions, built and deployed by a student. by Harshit · [Open it](https://misti.modernagecoders.com) ![GuardianX AI internet safety assistant screenshot](/images/projects/guardianx.webp) AI and ML #### GuardianX An assistant that helps a young person recognise unsafe situations online. by Vivaan · [Open it](https://guardianx-cybersaver.lovable.app) ![SkyCast weather forecast application screenshot](/images/projects/skycast.webp) Web app #### SkyCast A weather forecasting site with live conditions for any location. by Krish Fees ## Fees NSW families pay monthly in US dollars, our rate for everywhere except India. Nothing is paid in advance and you can stop whenever a month ends. Free first class USD 0 no card required - A gentle trial lesson - Honest advice, including when classes are not needed - No card required Book it Group batch USD 100 a month, billed in US dollars - Fifteen to twenty children at one level - The same friendly teacher - Short tasks with feedback - A certificate at the end Start here One to one USD 150 a month, billed in US dollars - One teacher for one child - Calm, focused practice - Times that suit young children Enquire What families say ## Rated 4.9 across 547 Google reviews Google reviews from parents, exactly as written. ★★★★★ "The one step solution for my son. Modern Age Coders make learning coding so simple that kids love it. The teachers explain complex concepts clearly with practical exercises and interactive content." Ria Mukherjee Parent ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders has been a game-changer for me. I struggled to grasp IT concepts and coding before joining, but their classes transformed everything. I can now confidently write complex programs with ease." Samriddha Mondal Student ★★★★★ "One of the most wonderful education centres out there. Education is not limited to school syllabus but focuses on skill development." Vansh Agarwal Student ★★★★★ "My child Dhairya is really enjoying the Modern Age Coders classes. This is his first online class and he eagerly looks forward to it. I can already see his improvement, and the teachers are very cooperative." Sonam Oswal Parent of Dhairya ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders have wonderful teachers who teach in a clear, easy and practical way. The teacher boosts students' confidence and inspires them to learn without hesitation." Sonu Goyal Parent ★★★★★ "I highly recommend this computer coding class! The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about coding." Ritu Kedia Parent Questions about OC test maths ## What Year 3 and 4 families ask ### What is the OC test? The NSW Opportunity Class Placement Test, sat in Year 4 for entry to an opportunity class in Year 5. It has reading, mathematical reasoning and thinking skills sections, all done on a computer. ### How many maths questions are in the OC test? The Mathematical Reasoning section has 35 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answers, and lasts 40 minutes. ### Can children use a calculator? No. The department says students cannot use a calculator in any section, but they can work out on paper. ### What maths does the OC test use? Concepts from the NSW curriculum up to Year 4. The department says students do not need extra knowledge. ### How are answers marked? For its practice tests, the department says each individual response is worth 1 mark, and questions that ask for multiple responses are worth more than 1 mark. ### What is an organised list? A way of writing every possibility in a fixed order, such as all choices starting with the first item, then the second, so that none is missed or counted twice. ### Is coaching needed for the OC test? The department says it is not necessary and does not recommend or endorse it. Its free practice tests are designed to familiarise children with the format. ### When was the latest OC test? For Year 5 entry in 2027 it was held on Friday 8 to Saturday 9 May 2026, with a make-up on Friday 22 May 2026. ### Can you advise on placement or appeals? No. We give no placement, school-choice or appeals advice, and promise no score. ### What time would lessons be? We agree a weekly time after the free trial, usually straight after school. In Sydney during daylight saving, 4 pm is 10.30 am India time. Related pages ## More for young NSW learners NAPLAN, coding and the later selective test. ### [NAPLAN Year 3 numeracy](/naplan-year-3-numeracy-practice) Number line strategies for Year 3. ### [Selective test maths](/nsw-selective-test-mathematical-reasoning-practice) The Year 6 test for Year 7 entry. ### [Coding for 9 and 10 year olds](/coding-classes-for-9-and-10-year-olds-australia) Logic and patterns in Scratch. ### [Coding and AI in NSW](/coding-and-ai-classes-in-new-south-wales) Our state page. ### [Online maths tutoring](/online-maths-tutoring-australia) Live lessons across Australia. ### [Maths challenges](/maths-challenges) Puzzles to enjoy together. Start here ## Book a free maths class for your young learner Share your child's year and what they enjoy. The trial is a friendly lesson in problem solving, and we will tell you honestly what we think comes next. Looking around first? The [course atlas](/course-atlas) lists all our courses, and [how we teach](/how-we-teach) describes a typical lesson. [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/919123366161?text=Hello%20Modern%20Age%20Coders%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20free%20maths%20class%20for%20my%20Year%203%20or%20Year%204%20child%2C%20on%20problem%20solving.) · [+91 91233 66161](tel:+919123366161) · [connect@modernagecoders.com](mailto:connect@modernagecoders.com) A WhatsApp message is usually the quickest way to reach us. Our +91 number is Indian; we teach from India and have no Australian premises. ### Want a class sooner? Book a priority demo A priority demo is a full class of about 45 to 60 minutes. After the class the mentor sends a written skill report and a personal learning roadmap on WhatsApp. If you enrol, the demo fee is adjusted against your first month's fee. Share your demo Order ID with us on WhatsApp and we take it off. [Book a priority demo](/book-demo) ## Keep exploring Modern Age Coders ### More maths tuition - [Online Math Tutor for 10th Grade](/online-math-tutor-10th-grade) - [Maths Challenge for Young Australians Practice](/maths-challenge-for-young-australians-practice) - [Online Math Tutor for 11th Grade](/online-math-tutor-11th-grade) - [Math Kangaroo USA Preparation: Live Online, Grades 1 to 12](/math-kangaroo-usa-preparation) - [Online Math Tutor for 12th Grade](/online-math-tutor-12th-grade) - [KS2 SATs Maths Papers Explained: Arithmetic and Reasoning](/ks2-sats-maths-papers-explained) - [Online Math Tutor for 4th Grade](/online-math-tutor-4th-grade) - [Online Math Tutor for 1st Grade](/online-math-tutor-1st-grade) - [11 Plus Maths Tuition Warwickshire](/11-plus-maths-tuition-warwickshire) ### Learn more - [American Curriculum & SAT Maths Tutor in the UAE](/american-maths-tutor-uae) - [CBSE Class 10 Maths Board Prep: Case Studies & Mocks](/courses/cbse-class-10-maths-board-exam-prep-course) - [Online Maths Tuition in the UAE](/online-maths-tuition-uae) - [Maths Tuition for Kids in the UAE](/maths-tuition-for-kids-uae) ### From the blog - [Maths Learning Guides](/blog/topic/maths) - [How Coding and Mathematics Work Together in Engineering & Science](/blog/coding-mathematics-engineering-science) - [How Data Analytics and Math Help Businesses Make Better Decisions](/blog/data-analytics-math-help-businesses-better-decisions) - [Why Can I Understand Solutions but Not Solve Problems?](/blog/why-can-i-understand-solutions-but-not-solve-problems) ### Start here - [How Modern Age Coders teaches, small batches and real projects](/how-we-teach) - [What Modern Age Coders families say](/love) Free class[Priority demo](/book-demo)[Call us](tel:+919123366161) --- *Canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/oc-test-maths-practice-nsw*