Are you a registered pharmacist dreaming of moving to Australia? If yes, the OPRA exam is your gateway. OPRA is the abbreviated form of Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment. It has successfully replaced KAPS in 2025. The revamped exam offers a more practical and easier pathway for international students to obtain a pharmacist license in Australia.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about OPRA exam coaching- from what it is, to the fees, syllabus, preparation tips, and top institutes. Let’s explore how you can successfully crack the OPRA exam with the right guidance and preparation.

The OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) is a licensure exam introduced by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) to evaluate the readiness of internationally qualified pharmacists to work in Australia. This computer-based assessment evaluates practical knowledge and application of pharmaceutical science in a real-world setting, particularly focusing on therapeutics, patient safety, and communication.

Until 2024, the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) was the standard exam for pharmacist registration in Australia. However, the KAPS exam focused heavily on theoretical knowledge. OPRA, launched in March 2025, is designed to test applied skills and decision-making, making it more relevant to Australian healthcare scenarios.

Did you know…

The very first batch of the OPRA exam has a passing rate of more than 90% from Academically. When you choose us, you choose a bright future for yourself.

• Format: KAPS had two papers with 200 questions. OPRA has one paper with 120 MCQs.

• Duration: OPRA lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes; KAPS was 4 hours, with 2 different papers

• Focus: OPRA emphasises patient safety, therapeutic decision-making, and Australian healthcare protocols.

• Assessment Model: OPRA uses the Rasch model, scoring based on performance and competency rather than raw marks.

• Number of Questions: 120 (108 scored + 12 unscored)

• Type: Multiple-choice (MCQs)

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

• Syllabus: Based on practical pharmaceutical knowledge, therapeutics, pharmacology, and Australian patient care standards.
  

Here’s the syllabus breakdown for the exam. Ensure you prioritise studying the areas where maximum emphasis is needed:

• Therapeutics & Patient Care (about 45%)
  Covers case studies, treatment decisions, prescription assessments- mostly practical-based, tests your skills in real-world situations

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Pharmacology (about 35%)
  Includes drug actions, interactions, mechanisms, and chemistry fundamentals

• Pharmacy Practice (around 20%)
  Laws, ethics, patient communication, and safe dispensing

The following 2-hour session is a goldmine of coaching for the OPRA exam 2025. Learn from the experts of the industry, Dr.Akram Ahmad and Dr. Kiran Shafiq Siddiqui:

• Eligibility Check: AU$ 810 → ₹44,331

• Skills Assessment Result: AU$ 300 → ₹16,419

• OPRA Exam Fee: AU$ 2190 → ₹1,19,859

• Total: ₹1,80,609 (approx.)
  

  Note: Exchange rates may vary.

The OPRA exam is DEFINITELY not an exam that can be cleared by just hours of self-study. Clinical orientation and real-life patient-based scenarios constitute most of the syllabus. Hence you need a strategic approach towards learning which only experienced mentors can provide you.

1. Structured Learning
   Coaching institutes provide a clear roadmap aligned with the OPRA exam syllabus.

2. Expert Mentorship
   Trainers often include former candidates and pharmacy educators familiar with APC standards.

3. Mock Tests & Simulations
   Rasch-model-based assessments replicate the actual test environment.

4. Personalised Doubt-Solving Sessions
   One-on-one guidance improves conceptual clarity and retention.

5. Flexible Learning
   Online and hybrid models allow working professionals to prepare at their own pace.

At Academically, we help you crack the OPRA exam with confidence. With our live+recorded lessons, sample papers, 1-on-1 counselling sessions, AI-based mock tests that are curated based on Rasch methodology and handouts for last-minute revision, you're endowed with relevant knowledge to pass the exam on the first attempt itself.

1. Faculty Quality: Look for APC-experienced educators.

2. Resources Provided: Sample papers, updated books, and real-time case studies.

3. Mock Test Support: Ensure the programme follows Rasch methodology.

4. Student Reviews: Opt for institutes with proven track records.

5. Mode of Learning: Online, offline, or hybrid- pick what suits you best.

• Pharmaceutical Calculations by Howard C. Ansel

• Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology by James M. Ritter

• Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics by Roger Walker and Cate Whittlesea

• Aulton’s Pharmaceutics by Michael E. Aulton

• OPRA sample questions and papers (available from the APC official website and Academically’s blog sections)

• Memorising theoretical topics line by line without understanding clinical applications

• Ignoring time-bound practice

• Skipping mock tests

• Studying outdated KAPS materials

• Not staying updated with the APC guidelines.

The OPRA exam is more than a test; it’s a stepping stone toward building your pharmacy career in Australia or New Zealand. With the right coaching, preparation strategy, and study resources, you can make the pathway easy to achieve your professional goals abroad. Begin early, stay consistent, and remember: a well-planned path is half the success won. Join Academically today and benefit from our comprehensive OPRA coaching classes, sample papers and more.