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Remember when we took tests with freshly sharpened 2B pencils and those little answer bubbles? Well, our kids won't have that experience. From 2025, the NSW Opportunity Class test has gone completely digital. If you're like me, you might be wondering how on earth to prepare your child for something so different from what we knew.

FACT: Your child is going to stare at a computer screen for 100 minutes during the OC test. No proper breaks to rest their eyes, no looking out the window, no doodling in margins. Just them and the screen.

If you're thinking "but I limit screen time at home!", I hear you. This feels like everything we've been told NOT to do with our kids and technology. But this is our new reality, and we need to prepare for it.

What Your Child Will Actually Face on Test Day

Picture this: your 10-year-old walks into an unfamiliar test centre, sits at a computer they've never used before, and navigates through:

Reading Test: 13 questions in 30 minutes (some with multiple parts)
Mathematical Reasoning: 35 questions in 40 minutes
Thinking Skills: 30 questions in 30 minutes

That's 100 minutes of intense screen focus with only a few breaks in between. That's a lot of clicking, scrolling, and concentrating even for adults, let alone children.

But here's the good news: kids who practise in digital environments perform up to 15% better—not because they're smarter, but because they're comfortable with the format. They're not wasting precious brain power figuring out where to click next.

Preparing for the Digital Marathon (Without Creating a Screen Zombie)

Build Stamina Gradually

You wouldn't run a marathon without training, right? Same principle here. Work your way up to longer sessions. For example,

Week 1-3: Start with 10-15 minute digital practice sessions Week 4-6: Build to 20-30 minutes Week 7-9: Try one full section (30-40 minutes) Week 9+: Occasional full-length practice tests

The key? Quality over quantity. Three focused 20-minute sessions beat one exhausting hour every time.

Recognise Digital Fatigue Before the Meltdown

Watch for these warning signs during practice:

Eye rubbing or squinting
Slouching closer to the screen
Increasing silly mistakes
"I can't think!" complaints and increased whining
The dreaded blank stare

When you spot these, it's break time. And I mean a proper break, ideally outside. Fresh air works better than any eye drops.

The 20-20-20 Rule for Practice

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Teach your child this during practice, and they can use it during the actual test when they finish a section early. It's a legitimate way to rest their eyes without looking like they're not working.

Screen Setup Matters More Than You Think

During practice at home:

Position the screen at eye level (stack some books under a laptop if you don’t have a stand)
Keep the computer an arm's length away
Ensure good lighting (no glare or shadows)
Adjust brightness to match the room

Why bother? Because comfortable kids concentrate better and concentration is half the battle.

The Mental Game: Reframing Screen Time

This isn't "fun screen time" or "educational apps". This is athletic training for their brain. Just like swimming laps or practising piano, it requires different rules.

Try this conversation: "Just like athletes train their bodies for a big game, we're training your brain for test day. The screen is just our training equipment."

Yes, preparing for a digital test means more screen time than we'd usually like. But this is temporary, focused, and purposeful. You're not creating bad habits. You're building specific skills for a specific challenge. That's exactly what we're doing here. And platforms like OC TestPrep make it easier by providing structured, test-like practice that builds stamina without overwhelming them.

If you’re ready to give it a try, OC TestPrep offers a free 20 question diagnostic test. Just enough to get a teaser without crossing the line into digital fatigue. Sign up today.