It was still pitch dark outside, 5 AM here in India, when our WhatsApp chimed up with messages and calls. The July 2025 OPRA Exam results had just been announced, and the celebrations had already begun. Students who’d been on edge for weeks were finally exhaling, their relief spilling over into our inbox. But one message in particular made us pause and reflect.
It was from Zeynep, a soft-spoken yet determined pharmacist from Turkey. Her text was simple: “I have passed the exam! This was my first attempt!”
Our team couldn’t help but rejoice over her success. This was the moment she had worked so hard for; months of focus, countless hours of study, and a leap of faith into a brand-new country’s pharmacy system had all paid off.
Her Journey Began Long Before the Exam
Zeynep’s story doesn’t start in Sydney. It begins in Turkey, where she spent five years studying pharmacy; four years of academic modules and coursework followed by a final year dedicated to a hands-on internship and thesis.
Graduating didn’t mean slowing down. She stepped straight into the fast-paced world of community pharmacy, serving patients for three years. She loved her work, but over time, she began to notice how saturated the profession was becoming in her home country. New universities were producing more pharmacy graduates every year, and opening a new pharmacy had become a waiting game, quite literally, for someone else to retire.
The situation was competitive. Opportunities were limited. Zeynep wanted more fruitful career opportunities with her pharmacy degree.
Why Zeynep Chose Australia?
She didn’t arrive in Sydney with a master plan. In fact, her first trip to Australia was simply for a language course. “I had two friends living here,” she told me, “but they weren’t working as pharmacists. I came here just to study English… and I ended up falling in love with the city.”
Sydney’s lifestyle, professional opportunities, and multicultural energy all inspired her to make it her second home. Soon, she set her sights on becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia. But the path was clear and challenging. She would have to pass the OPRA Exam, a licensure exam that every overseas-trained pharmacist must qualify before starting their internship.
What is the OPRA Exam?
For those unfamiliar, the OPRA exam is an abbreviated form of Overseas Pharmacist Registration Assessment. It is simply a licensure exam for international pharmacists who want to work in Australia. This isn’t your regular rote learning exam. It tests real-world skills, including clinical decision-making, pharmaceutical calculations, Australian pharmacy law, and practical problem-solving.
Finding the Right OPRA Exam Preparation Course
Zeynep started her Australian journey by clearing the PTE English test and completing her initial skills assessment. With that done, she turned her attention to the OPRA Exam. Like many candidates, her first instinct was to look for books and online resources. But she quickly realised something. There wasn’t a single, complete source on the internet she could rely on. That’s when she came across Academically’s OPRA Exam preparation course.
“I sent them an email, and they replied with all the details. It was exactly what I was looking for: live lessons, clear study material, mock exams that too, and AI-based… all in one place,” she explained.
Three Months. One Goal.
Zeynep joined the coaching programme in March 2025. She had just three months before the exam date. She spent one day a week teaching Turkish to children, but the rest of her days were dedicated to preparation.
Six to seven hours every single day.
Her approach was simple:
- Follow the lesson plans exactly as given.
- Revise class notes daily.
- Take every mock exam seriously.
- Revisit weak topics until they feel easy.
“I had to refresh the basics first,” she said. “Once that foundation was solid, everything else fell into place.”
Was the OPRA Exam Difficult?
For many candidates, the OPRA exam is something they’re not used to. Because we are so ingrained with rote-learning, we often miss out on the practical notes. But when Dr. Akram Ahmad asked Zeynep how she found it, her answer surprised us.
“It was easy, but only because I was fully prepared. Without Academically’s constant support, I can’t imagine feeling this confident.”
Her preparation had taken away the uncertainty that usually hangs over candidates. She walked into the exam hall knowing exactly what to expect.
Lessons from Zeynap’s Success Story
When Dr. Akram Ahmad asked Zeynep what advice she’d give to others, she didn’t hesitate.
- Pick one reliable study source and stick to it.
- Follow your teachers’ guidance exactly, they know what works.
- Don’t waste time looking for multiple resources when one complete programme is available.
- Stay consistent: make study a daily habit, not a last-minute scramble.
- Practice under timed conditions so the real exam feels familiar.
A New Chapter Begins for Zeynap and We Wish Her the Best
With the OPRA Exam behind her, Zeynep is ready to begin her internship in Australia. For her, this is more than just a job requirement, it’s a chance to contribute to a healthcare system she deeply respects. Australian pharmacists do far more than dispense medicine. They provide clinical advice, run health services like vaccinations, and are often the first point of contact for patients. Zeynep is eager to bring her blend of Turkish experience and Australian training to this role.
