Hundreds of global pharmacists every year prepare for the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment, or the OPRA exam. They all have one dream, that is of becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia. While some prepare to learn and take the exam, some prepare with the goal of successfully passing. The difference? The former focus on learning and cramming while the latter prepare a strategised approach that guarantees success. Thousands of pharmacists in the past have cracked the OPRA exam in the very first attempt without leaving their full-time job.
Some feel that the exam is easy, while others feel that it is difficult. In reality, the exam is the same for all–the difficulty level depends upon the preparation of the candidate.
In today’s blog, we’ll tell you how to prepare for the exam like a winner, ensuring that you pass the OPRA exam. Even if you have no prior experience with the OPRA exam or other international pharmacy exams, this blog will guide you to prepare and ace the exam like a pro.
Let us now talk about the best strategies for preparation that lead to OPRA success.
What is the OPRA Exam?
The OPRA is your first gateway into the Australian pharmacy system. It is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council to check if your qualifications match the standard of pharmacy education.
It’s a computer-based, multiple-choice exam. Once you pass it, you become eligible for provisional registration.
- Duration of Exam: 2.5 Hrs
- Number of Questions: 120
- Mode of Exam: CAT MCQ (Online)
- Exam Fee: $2245 AUD (INR 132,455)
- Test Center: Worldwide
Now, let us get into the strategies that can help you ace the OPRA exam at one go.
Understand Australian Healthcare Standards
The OPRA exam tests your pharmacy knowledge with respect to the Australian healthcare standards, and thus you must prepare accordingly.
- Read previous case-studies on the APC website.
- Understand pharmacy guidelines and practices followed in Australian healthcare setup.
- Practice answering questions in accordance with that.
- Seek guidance from people already working there or other experienced mentors.
You must be prepared to answer questions focussing on patient care instead of spending more time on theoretical pharmaceutical knowledge. Make sure you understand Australian pharmacy laws and international laws as well. For best results, Go through documents from Pharmacy Board of Australia, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council (APAC) guidelines for a clear understanding.
Comprehend the Exam Syllabus
Many candidates make the mistake of jumping into preparation without getting a deep understanding of the OPRA exam syllabus and pattern. The OPRA exam syllabus focuses on therapeutics, clinical decision-making, patient care scenarios, and the practical application of pharmaceutical sciences.
Here is a basic outline of the major topics covered in OPRA. Keep in mind, nearly 45% of the exam question comes from therapeutics and patient care.
For a comprehensive preparation, Don't just study general pharmacology, focus on
- Case-based problem solving
- Communication skills
- Ethical dilemmas
- Medication safety principles
Study the type of questions asked in the previous papers, which generally include patient-centric and scenario-based questions.
Prepare with Adaptive AI
A major feature of the OPRA exam is that it follows the Rasch method of testing, which tests your ability to apply knowledge in real-world situations, and not just recall it. The best way to prepare for the same is practice using AI-based mock tests and practice papers that tailor questions based on your strengths and weaknesses. Regular practice will help you improve progressively and will take you towards the desired result.
Adaptive tests create a real-exam environment, helping you build confidence and be prepared for the exam day in ways other than mere theoretical knowledge. With this, you can tackle tricky scenarios and answer all questions beautifully.
Practice Using Recommended Resources
Never underestimate the power of practicing using the right materials. The best materials include the books and resources recommended by the Australian Pharmacy Council. Use APC mock tests or take our AI adaptive mock test series to understand the question structure.
Also, refer to APC recommended books and guidelines which include-
- Therapeutic Guidelines
- APC Practice Exams
- Pharmaceutical Calculations: Howard C. Ansel
- Rang & Dale's Pharmacology: James M. Ritter
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics: Roger Walker
- Aulton’s Pharmaceutics: Michael Aulton
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
- Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF)
- Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct
Apart from this, you can use books concerning pharmacy topics, which focus on practical aspects of pharmaceutical sciences.
Seek Expert Help or Mentorship
One way for sure shot success is expert guidance or mentorship. Even the best self-studiers can benefit from expert guidance, as it can help you crack the exam in the first attempt, without having any prior knowledge about the same.
Consider enrolling in a coaching program or a preparatory course which specialises in OPRA preparation. You must ensure that the mentors are
- OPRA experts, or OPRA qualified professionals, or
- Registered Australian pharmacists, or
- Professionals who have deeply studied the OPRA examination
Such mentors can guide you with insider tips, mock interview practice and offer detailed feedback on your case-solving approaches.
Start Your OPRA Journey
The right strategy can lead you to success while the wrong one can just waste your time. Choose wisely, after all your whole pharmacy career depends upon this one global examination.
So the tips and tricks presented here can help you pass the OPRA exam in your very first attempt. Which one of these did you like the most? Would you like to add any other hack which pharmacists can benefit from?
Let’s get this conversation started and make the OPRA exam more than just a dream for our fellow pharmacy graduates.
