Introduction
The Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, or the KAPS exam, is an inevitable step in the journey of overseas-trained pharmacist's migration to Australia. The KAPS exam plays a key role in determining whether a candidate is fit to practise pharmacy in Australia or not. This exam, conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council, is designed in such a way that the skills and knowledge of the aspirants are thoroughly assessed and, therefore, clearing the KAPS exam marks you as eligible to seek registration to practise pharmacy in an Australian setting.
Thousands of global pharmacists move to Australia to build their pharmacy careers and seek better career opportunities, career flexibility, handsome salary packages and more. But during the process of the KAPS exam, they come across a lot of challenges.
Let us take a look at some of the biggest challenges faced by such aspirants and know how they can be solved.
Biggest Challenges Faced by Pharmacists KAPS Exam Takers and How to Overcome Them?
- Introduction
- Work-study Balance
- Getting Familiarised With the KAPS Exam Format
- Time Management During the Exam
- Financial Difficulties
- Geographical Restraints
- Access to Quality Resources
- Stress and Anxiety
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Work-study Balance
Most of the KAPS exam takers are pharmacy professionals who work full-time. Due to their packed schedules and lack of time, balancing work and study comes as a big challenge to these KAPS aspirants. The KAPS exam needs thorough preparation and can be cracked on the first attempt if the right preparation strategies are adopted.
Taking time off from work when the exam gets closer is how many pharmacists manage to prepare for the KAPS exam. This may not be possible in the case of every aspirant out there. However, starting the preparation process as early as possible and fixing allocated time every day to study and revise can help a lot.
Solution:
The KAPS Exam Preparation Course by Academically offers recorded sessions of the live lectures that are conducted. Several working professionals have found this feature useful and have put it to good use. So, even if they are unable to join the live classes during their working hours, listening to the recorded lectures after working hours helps them to catch up with the preparations.
Getting Familiarised With the KAPS Exam Format
Before approaching the KAPS exam, it is extremely important to understand the exam format and familiarise yourself with it. The lack of understanding of the KAPS exam has often stood as an obstacle in the KAPS exam preparation process for many pharmacists.
The KAPS exam, administered by the Pharmacy Board of Australia, consists of two parts: Part I and Part II. Each paper consists of 100 questions and should be completed on the same day.
The exam covers a wide range of topics, including pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, physiology, pharmaceutics, and therapeutics. Connecting with pharmacists who have cracked the KAPS exam and taking mock tests can help you understand the KAPS exam format better.
Solution:
Academically offers a special course called the KAPS Exam Sample Questions and Answers for aspirants who want a clear understanding of the KAPS exam format. It also includes mock tests, recall questions and tips to approach the exam.
Time Management During the Exam
Managing time efficiently during the examination is a great challenge faced by many KAPS exam takers. Even if the aspirant is equipped with all the knowledge required to tackle the KAPS exam, he cannot attend all the questions if he does not use his time strategically. The KAPS exam is a 4-hour exam with 2 hours allocated for each part.
To properly manage time, it is vital that you practise for the exam by taking plenty of mock tests. The more mock tests you take, the better you become at mastering time management. Taking mock tests will not only enable you to answer questions under timed conditions but also help you to identify your weak areas that require more attention.
Solution:
The comprehensive KAPS Exam Preparation Course offered by Academically includes several mock tests and even grand tests for aspirants gearing up for the big day. This can significantly help the candidates learn time management and prepare them well to approach the exam in a calm manner.
Financial Difficulties
Even though taking the KAPS exam is a great investment in your career growth, it may not be completely affordable for every pharmacist dreaming of working in Australia. Quite an amount of money needs to be spent to complete the procedure of registering for the KAPS exam and preparing for it. In many cases, the financial background of the candidate has stopped him or her from signing up for the KAPS exam.
Just because a person is not financially capable, he must not be denied a chance to chase his dream of becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia.
Solution:
Keeping this aspect in mind, Academically has come up with easy EMI options that will help candidates get started with their KAPS exam preparation journey. All they need to worry about is preparing well for the exam and giving it their best shot. During an important period like the KAPS exam preparation they must not be stressing over financial difficulties.
Geographical Restraints
There are pharmacists who aspire to clear the KAPS exam but are working outside their home countries, for instance, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc. Such aspirants find it difficult to find a preparation course that does not demand their physical presence and clashes with their time zones. What they require is a virtual classroom where they can learn all about pharmacy in Australia.
Solution:
Academically provides an online preparation course that includes live lectures and recorded sessions as well. This feature helps students to join the sessions from wherever they are located, and if the timings of the live sessions do not align with their time zones, they can always depend on the recorded sessions of the lectures.
Access to Quality Resources
While there is an overflow of resources online, not picking the right resources can hamper your KAPS preparation process. While preparing for an important exam like KAPS, you should have access to quality resources. Your time is valuable, and your focus should be on materials that help you pass the exam on your first attempt.
Solution:
The study materials and resources provided by Academically are hand-picked by industry experts and curated with such precision that the students can save time and money rather than browsing through the countless resources available.
Stress and Anxiety
The KAPS exam is known for its competitive nature, leading to heightened stress and anxiety among aspirants. The fear of failure and the pressure to perform well can adversely affect the mental well-being of exam takers. Developing effective stress management techniques and maintaining a positive mindset in such situations can be a game-changer.
Solution:
The trainers at Academically help their students to remain calm and provide the motivation they need when they feel low or underconfident. This boosts their confidence and willingness to prepare harder for the exam and gives a great outcome. They stay present to clear their doubts and help them in the preparation process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the challenges faced by KAPS exam takers and aspirants are multifaceted and require an integral approach to preparation. Finding your way through the extensive syllabus, limited resources, time constraints, and other hurdles demands a combination of dedication, strategic planning, and adaptability. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, overcoming these challenges becomes even more important for international pharmacy graduates aiming to make a meaningful impact in the pharmacy field in Australia.
