Australia is a heaven for pharmacists who want a fulfilling career. The country offers not just amazing salaries but a world-class lifestyle too. Not to mention, the global career platform. However, before you can start your practice in Australia, you need to pass the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment. It is your gateway to practice in Australia. This exam helps evaluate their knowledge, skills, and ability to meet Australia’s healthcare standards.
For a successful attempt at the OPRA exam, you need a solid preparation strategy, one which involves:
- Understanding the format of the exam
- Collecting reliable study resources
- Deciding on relevant online coaching options
This blog will provide all the necessary information, including all the details regarding OPRA Exam Preparation Course, study strategies, and expert tips to help you succeed.
Understanding the Australian Pharmacist Exam
The exam is a licensing exam for globally trained pharmacists who want to get registered and practice in Australia. The exam particulars are as follows:
- Exam Duration: 2.5 Hrs
- Number of Questions: 120
- Mode of Exam: CAT MCQ (Online)
- Exam Fee: $2190 AUD (INR 120,450)
- Test Center: Worldwide
The exam syllabus covers subjects like clinical pharmacy, drug interactions, pharmaceutical calculations, and regulatory aspects.
Content Area | % of Questions | Topics Covered |
Therapeutics and Patient Care | 45% | Primary healthcare Health promotion Harm minimisation Patient confidentiality |
Biomedical Sciences | 20% | Pathophysiology Microbiology Immunology and symptoms |
Pharmacology and Toxicology | 15% | Drug actions Side effects Toxicity Interactions |
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics | 10% | Drug metabolism PK/PD Treatment monitoring |
Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics | 10% | Drug solubility Formulation Chemical stability |
To pass the OPRA exam is a must for pharmacists to receive accreditation from the Pharmacy Board of Australia and work in the Australian healthcare system.
Eligibility Criteria for the Exam
To sit for the OPRA exam, you must fulfil the following requirements:
- Pharmacy degree meets APC standards
- Pharmacist registration in your country
Exam Locations in India
The OPRA exam is administered in a number of locations in India, including:
- Bangalore
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Ludhiana
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
How to Prepare for the Exam
1. Being aware of the exam pattern
Learn about the format of the Australian Pharmacist Exam before you start preparing. The test includes:
- Exam Duration: 2.5 Hrs
- Number of Questions: 120
- Mode of Exam: CAT MCQ (Online)
2. Make a simple study plan for the exam
A structured plan is the key to come up with flying colours in the exam.
- Prepare a study timetable
- Allocate the time for main scoring subjects such as therapeutics and patient care.
- Plan for the Mock tests and practice papers to improve accuracy and time management.
3. Join Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course Coaching in India
Getting into a good coaching program can help your studying. Here are some of the salient features of our Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course:
- Help from experienced teachers
- Complete study materials designed for the Australian Pharmacist Exam
- Frequent practice tests with feedback to check your progress
4. Utilize Standard Study Materials
Some recommended study resources include:
- Pharmaceutical Calculations by Howard C. Ansel
- Rang and Dale's Pharmacology by James M. Ritter
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics by Roger Walker and Cate Whittlesea
- Aulton's Pharmaceutics by Michael E. Aulton
- Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
5. Take Mock Exams Frequently
Students benefit from mock exams by gaining an understanding of the format of the exam.
- Consistently improving accuracy and time use.
- Concentrating on areas that need improvement.
6. Develop Your English
- Enroll in English classes as necessary.
- Take the English proficiency test (IELTS, OET or PTE).
Exam Preparation: Tips to Remember
Apart from the above-mentioned steps, a few more things are essential:
- Keep up to date with any developments in the exam, like changes in scoring pattern, passing marks, exam center, etc.
- Take breaks in between study sessions.
- Take note of the highest-scoring subjects and focus on those.
- Understand the weak points and work on them.
- Join courses to be more disciplined and expertly guided throughout the preparation.
Ace The Exam WIth Academically
The Australian Pharmacy Exam or OPRA has a pass rate of nearly 80%. You can too join the ranks of the successful candidates. All you need, apart from dedication and hard work, is a strategic preparation plan.
Queries and questions related to the exam and how to prepare are common among candidates. It is important to connect with the correct people to ensure proper guidance. At Academically, we have more than a decade of experience. So, take your first step today.
