Here is the short version. The NSW Department of Education does not publish cut-off scores for any opportunity class, so there is no official number for any school. What is known is the relative demand. Classes in metropolitan Sydney are the most competitive, while some regional classes are more accessible. Around 1,840 places are offered across about 88 classes. Aim for strong results across all three sections rather than a fixed score.
Parents often search for the cut-off at a specific opportunity class. It is a reasonable thing to want. The problem is that no such number is published, and figures online are estimates.
What can be said is how demand compares, and how to aim high sensibly. To estimate where a practice result sits, use our OC score calculator.
Key takeaways
- The Department does not publish cut-offs for any class.
- Classes in metro Sydney are the most competitive.
- Some regional classes are more accessible.
- Around 1,840 places across about 88 classes.
- Cut-offs change every year with the cohort.
- Aim for strong results across all three sections.
Let us be honest about cut-offs
The Department does not release cut-off scores, raw marks, or a score total for any opportunity class. So there is no official number for any school, however often you see one quoted.
Any exact figure online is a third-party estimate, usually from past years. Cut-offs also move each year, because entry is a ranking against the children who sat the test that year.
Metro Sydney versus regional demand
The clearest pattern is location. Demand is far higher in metropolitan Sydney, where the most popular classes draw the strongest field. A top result is needed for these.
Some regional classes are more accessible, with lower demand, though this varies. There are around 88 classes in total, with most in metro Sydney and a smaller number in regional areas, plus an online option through Aurora College.
How many places, and how competitive
Around 1,840 places are offered each year, against roughly 12,000 to 14,000 applicants. That means only a minority get an offer, so competition is real, especially in Sydney.
The numbers are worth knowing, but they should not discourage you. A strong, balanced result gives a child a genuine chance, and missing out is not a verdict on their ability.
Want a rough idea of how a result compares?
Try the OC score calculator →How to gauge competitiveness without a number
Since there is no published cut-off, use what you do get. The performance bands on a result, and a child's percentile on good practice tests, tell you roughly how they compare with others. Aiming for the top band across all three sections is the safest route to a competitive class.
The point is to focus on performance, not on hitting a figure that does not officially exist. For how the scoring and ranking work, see our OC score guide.
Choosing your preferences
You can list up to four classes. Listing only the most competitive metro classes is risky, because a child who ranks just below the line at all of them can miss out entirely.
A balanced list pairs an ambitious choice with a more realistic one. It is also worth weighing the daily commute, since OCs sit inside specific host primary schools. For a preparation plan, see our OC preparation guide.
The way placement works rewards a thoughtful list rather than a hopeful one. Your child's single placement score is matched against the classes you preference, and a place is offered at the highest-preference class where the score is competitive. Because the most sought-after metro classes attract the strongest applicants, their effective cut-offs sit highest, so a list made up only of those leaves no safety net if your child lands just below the line. A more robust list mixes tiers: an aspirational class or two at the top, then one or more classes with historically lower demand, so a near-miss at the top still yields an offer lower down. Distance is a genuine factor here, not an afterthought, because an OC place means a daily commute to the host school for two years; a class that looks attractive on paper can be impractical once travel is counted, so only preference classes you would actually accept. There is no published cut-off for any class and demand shifts year to year, so treat past patterns as a guide, not a guarantee, and build the list around what suits your child and family rather than prestige alone.
Common questions
What are the OC cut-offs by school?
No official cut-offs are published for any opportunity class. Figures online are third-party estimates that change each year. Classes in metro Sydney are the most competitive, while some regional classes are more accessible.
Which opportunity classes are most competitive?
Classes in metropolitan Sydney draw the strongest field and are the most competitive. Demand is generally lower in some regional areas, though it varies. A top result is needed for the most popular metro classes.
What is a top OC cut-off?
There is no published figure to quote. The most competitive classes need a result near the top of the statewide ranking, with strong, even performance across all three sections. Treat any specific number online as an estimate.
How many OC places are there?
Around 1,840 places are offered each year across about 88 opportunity classes. Roughly 12,000 to 14,000 children apply, so only a minority get an offer.
How do I judge competitiveness without a cut-off?
Use the performance bands on a result and a child's percentile on good practice tests to see how they compare. Aiming for the top band across all three sections is the safest route to a competitive class.
See how a result compares
Enter practice section results for a rough competitiveness guide. Free, and no signup.
Open the OC score calculator →Related guides
This guide is general information for parents, not formal advice. The NSW Department of Education sets the rules, and details can change. It does not publish section weightings, a score total, or class cut-off scores, so always confirm current details on the official NSW opportunity classes pages. Reviewed by the ATARCalculators Editorial Team.