More than 350 year 4 students spent an hour at testing centres across the Illawarra and South Coast region, including Dapto High School, Nowra High and Smiths Hill High, completing the multiple choice paper. They were hoping to secure a place in a year 5 opportunity class for 2015.

The number of applicants this year was slightly less than the average of 379 over the past five years.

Classes for gifted year 5 and 6 students have been run out of Wollongong Public School for several years. There are 60 spots available for gifted students in each year group, with all places in the current cohorts filled.

Across the state more than 10,000 students vied for one of 1755 spots in 75 opportunity classes, meaning only one in every five applicants will gain a place.

Students will find out in October if they have been chosen.