Picture this, you have cleared the OPRA and are fast flying through your internship. The next big thing in your journey is the Pharmacy Oral Exam. This is perhaps the only thing standing between you and an independent career as a pharmacist in Australia.
So, how do you actually prepare for this exam? You already have the skills and the knowledge. And with your internship near completion, you also have experience of working with patience. Well, the pharmacist's oral exam requires just that.
In this blog, we will discuss how to prepare for and pass the pharmacy oral exam on your first attempt.
Let’s start.
Pharmacy Intern Oral Exam Pattern
First thing first, you need to understand how the exam is structured. The oral exam follows a simple format. Examiners ask practical questions based on real pharmacy situations.
Main areas tested include:
- Patient communication and medicine advice
- Clinical problem solving
- Pharmacy law and professional ethics
- Safe supply of medicines
A candidate may need to explain medicine use, respond to side effects, or handle ethical issues in a pharmacy setting.
Australia’s Intern Pharmacy Oral Exam Format
The exam is approximately 35-40 minutes long and is divided into three parts.
| Exam Part | Focus Area | Duration | References Allowed |
| Part A | Primary Healthcare | ~10 minutes | No |
| Part B | Legal & Professional Practice | ~10 minutes | No |
| Part C | Problem Solving & Communication | ~20 minutes | Yes |
What Skills Are Assessed?
Across all three parts of the Intern Oral Exam, examiners assess whether you can:
- Apply clinical knowledge safely
- Communicate clearly with patients and healthcare professionals
- Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning
- Practise ethically and legally
- Prioritise patient safety
Preparation Tips for Success
Now that the exam structure is clear, let us build a preparation plan. Strong preparation builds confidence and clarity.
1. Use approved study resources. You should study Australian references such as:
- Australian Medicines Handbook
- Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary
- Therapeutic Guidelines
These resources reflect daily pharmacy practice in Australia.
2. Practice oral answers with peers and mentors. Clear speech matters a lot. You should speak your answers aloud and explain the steps in simple language.
3. Focus on patient safety. Make safe decisions and give clear advice. Ethical judgment is valued over complex detail.
4. Learn pharmacy law and legislation.Knowledge of prescription rules, controlled medicines, and professional duties is important.
5. Attempt mock oral exams. It will help you understand the structure and time management.
6. Enrol In Oral Exam Preparation Classes. This will help you practice for the test with experts and peers. Group study also boosts confidence and improves communication skills.
7. Practice patient counselling and clinical reasoning.
8. Use common case scenarios. Make a list of common cases from your rotation. For each case, practice:
- History
- Examination
- Differential diagnosis
- Investigations
- Management
Keep your answers structured and simple.
9. Time Yourself. Oral exams are time-bound. Practice answering within 2–3 minutes per question. This trains your brain to think clearly under pressure and prevents over-explaining.
10. Keep Sessions Short and Consistent. Keep practising for 20 to 30 minutes daily. This is much better than cramming. Consistency builds confidence quietly over time.
11. Know your reference. Section C of the exam deals with problem-solving and communication. The Pharmacy Board of Australia allows you to use reference books in this section, like the following:
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH), or
- Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF)
The difficult part is finding your reference in time. One way to make things easier is to practice questions from this section using the books as a reference. This will help you memorize where your references are. This will make it easier for you to find them during the actual exam.
Pass the Pharmacy Oral Exam in 2026
Make 2026 your year to pass the pharmacy oral exam. The main problem points most candidates face is clear communication and critical thinking. With practice and guidance, you can overcome this hurdle too.
You have already passed OPRA and completed your pharmacy degree. You have the knowledge and the skill. The only thing you need to hone is how to apply this knowledge in a real life scenario.
Once you pass the pharmacy oral exam, you are set for general registration with AHPRA. And with that, you can start your pharmacists job search in Australia.
All the best!