It was around 5:30 AM when the excitement started brewing. While most people were still waking up, Ramakrishna’s OPRA exam results had just come out. He is one of the many who had taken the July OPRA exam.
According to Australian time, the results came out around 9 AM, and the excitement was palpable. Our CEO, Dr. Akram Ahmad, couldn’t wait to share the joyous moment with everyone and started recording the celebrations straight from his home.
Ramakrishna is an experienced pharmacist with an impressive career spanning 8 years in Dubai, had just cleared the OPRA Exam on his very first attempt!
The joy was infectious and it was the kind of success that reminded us why we do what we do.
Ramakrishna’s Journey: From BPharm in Bangalore to Global Pharmacist
Ramakrishna is a pharmacist from Telangana, India. He completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) in Bangalore. Then, he passed the GPAT exam and got admission in NIPER Hyderabad, where he did his MPharm in Medicinal Chemistry. He takes pride in becoming the first one from his college to qualify for NIPER.
But Ramakrishna’s ambitions didn’t stop there. One of his friends cleared the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) exam and moved to Australia. With the support of that friend Ramakrishna also cleared the DHA exam and moved to Dubai. Ramakrishna began his career in the UAE. Over 8 years, he climbed the ranks from trainee pharmacist to unit in-charge, mentoring others and gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Overcoming the 8-Year Gap with Help from Academically
Despite an 8-year gap since his studies, Ramakrishna embraced learning with enthusiasm. He spent 3–4 hours daily preparing, increasing to 8–9 hours as the exam approached. The key? Trusting Academically’s comprehensive OPRA preparation course.
He attended all live classes, followed the study materials meticulously, and relied solely on Academically’s resources.
He attributes this success to the comprehensive OPRA preparation course provided by Academically, which aligns perfectly with the actual exam pattern. Ramakrishna only relied on these resources, especially the live classes, to prepare.
“On exam day, I messaged the program manager that 30 to 40 questions came directly from the mocks and grand tests. I completed the exam in 1 hour and 15 minutes. The key is not the hardness of the exam but our preparation and mindset.”
Why Australia and Why the OPRA Exam?
Dubai offered a good salary (starting from AED 3,500 as a trainee pharmacist to AED 16,000 after 8 years). But Ramakrishna faced long working hours, restrictions, and high education costs for his children.
He chose Australia for financial freedom, family upliftment, and societal status.. Moving to Australia isn’t just about better pay; it’s about quality of life and career growth.
“I’m taking a huge risk leaving a good salary, but in life, you have to take risks to move ahead. No risk, no gain. Many hesitate about DHA or OPRA exams, wondering if it’s worth it. How will you know if you don’t take the risk?”
Inspired by a friend who cleared the KAPS exam on the first try and now works in Australia, Ramakrishna decided to take the leap.
What is the OPRA Exam?
The OPRA exam is the Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment. It is for overseas pharmacists who want to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. It was earlier known as Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS).
This OPRA is a computer based test with 120 multiple choice questions to be answered in 2.5 hours. This can be taken from your home country.
To pass the exam all you need is good preparation. As Ramakrishna mentioned, the Academically’s OPRA Preparation Course has got all you need to pass the exam on the first attempt. You will get:
- Live and recorded lectures
- Practice questions
- Study materials
- AI-based mock tests
- Personalised guidance from OPRA experts
- Guidance throughout the journey
Words of Wisdom from Ramakrishna
When asked what advice he’d give to others preparing for OPRA or similar exams, Ramakrishna was clear and honest:
- Take the risk. There is no gain without any risk in life and that’s the only way to truly grow.
- Join a preparation course like Academically, who can make your journey easier.
- Believe in yourself and trust your preparation.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
For anyone still debating whether to pursue OPRA or similar exams, Ramakrishna’s story is a powerful reminder:
- You need to move out of your comfort zone
- Preparation aligned with the exam pattern is key
- Support and good resources make all the difference
- Taking calculated risks leads to growth and success
If you are dreaming of working in Australia as a pharmacist, Ramakrishna’s journey shows that your goals are within reach, if you try.
