The OC Thinking Skills test: what to expect and how to practise
The OC Thinking Skills test has 30 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes, which is about a minute a question. It tests general critical thinking and problem solving, and no previous knowledge is needed. Children do best when they have met the common question types, practise under time and learn to skip and return.
Thinking Skills is the least school-like part of the OC test, which is why it can feel unfamiliar. The format follows the NSW Department of Education. Check that site for the current year.
Format at a glance
- 30 multiple-choice questions.
- 30 minutes, on a computer.
- Equal weight with the Reading and Mathematical Reasoning sections.
What it tests
General critical thinking and problem solving. Questions typically ask children to work out what must be true from given information, spot patterns, follow rules and judge arguments. The precise mix changes between versions of the test, so the best preparation is breadth.
Skills to build
- Reading carefully. Many wrong answers come from missing a word such as "not" or "only".
- Using the information given. Answers should rest on the stated facts, not on outside assumptions.
- Organising information. Quick tables, lists and diagrams help with ordering and matching puzzles.
- Eliminating options. Cross off what cannot be true and compare what is left.
Pacing
About one minute a question. If a puzzle is stubborn after a minute, flag it, choose your best guess and move on. Return at the end if time allows.
Practice ideas
- Start with the department's practice tests.
- Do five to ten puzzles a session, then talk through the reasoning.
- Add timed sets, then full 30-minute papers.
- Use the worked solution to learn why each wrong option is wrong.
Common questions
Do children need to study content for Thinking Skills?
No. The NSW Department of Education says no previous knowledge is needed. It is about reasoning with the information given.
How much time is there per question?
30 questions in 30 minutes is about one minute each, so pacing matters.
How can we practise at home?
Use the department's practice tests first, then puzzles, logic games and short timed sets. Talk through how your child reasoned, not only whether the answer was right.