Preparing for the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) can feel overwhelming, especially since it is a globally benchmarked examination that tests not just knowledge but clinical application and decision-making skills. However, success in the OPRA exam is absolutely achievable when you equip yourself with the right preparation tools. With access to high-quality resources and the best OPRA reference books, you can significantly boost your confidence and improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.
In this blog, we’ll take you through how to effectively use an OPRA exam question bank for comprehensive and structured preparation. You’ll discover why a question bank is a game-changer, the key advantages it offers, and practical strategies to maximise its impact, helping you strengthen your concepts, sharpen your exam skills, and perform at your best on OPRA exam day.
Why Use an OPRA Exam Question Bank?
The Australian Pharmacy Council creates the OPRA exam to test the pharmaceutical knowledge and clinical and practical skills of foreign-trained pharmacists. Clearing the exam showcases that you are an expert in the pharmaceutical industry, ready to be a part of the Australian healthcare system. Practising with the help of an OPRA question bank can be helpful in-
- Understanding the exam format and the types of questions
- Practising time management in a simulated environment
- Finding areas where you struggle and developing relevant skills
- Increasing confidence by regular revision of calculations
What is Included in the OPRA Exam Question Bank?
A high-quality OPRA question bank covers questions related to all major topics tested in the actual exam. Generally, practice tests cover the following topics-
Pharmaceutical Calculations – Drug dosages, dilutions, and compounding calculations
Pharmacology & Therapeutics – Drug mechanisms, side effects, and clinical applications
Medicines Regulation & Law – Australian pharmacy laws, TGA guidelines, and PBS framework
Clinical Case Scenarios – Real-world pharmacy situations requiring problem-solving
Here is a quick overview of the syllabus:
| Content Area | Percentage of Questions Allocated |
| Biomedical Sciences | 20% |
| Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics | 10% |
| Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics | 10% |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 15% |
| Therapeutics and Patient Care | 45% |
Key Features of a Good OPRA Question Bank
Let us now help you in finding the best OPRA exam question bank for comprehensive preparation. Here are a few features you must look out for while searching for the best resource-
- Exam-Like MCQs- Ensure that the question bank has OPRA exam sample questions and not generic pharmacy questions. For this, you need to carefully study the OPRA exam format and syllabus and deeply go through the sample paper offered by the APC.
- Timed Practice Tests- The best kind of tests are the ones that come with timed sessions. This helps you mimic actual exam settings to boost your speed so that you can perform well in the actual exam.
- Progress Tracking- In the era of AI, there are several online OPRA exam mock tests- free and paid- which help you track your progress. They identify your weak areas and compare your tests to your previous attempts and the attempts of several other pharmacists. With this, you can track your progress and prepare better.
- Regular Updates—The test provider should regularly update sample practice tests. Practising with outdated sample papers isn’t helpful at all!
OPRA Question Bank
1. Which laboratory parameter is used to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of enoxaparin?
A. Enoxaparin blood level
B. International Normalised Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Antifactor Xa
2. A patient is prescribed Lugol's Solution (5% iodine) at a dose of 0.3 mL three times daily. What total amount of iodine is administered per day?
A. 15 mg
B. 30 mg
C. 45 mg
D. 90 mg
3. What is the chemical product formed when a secondary alcohol undergoes oxidation?
A. Ketone
B. Primary alcohol
C. Aldehyde
D. Ether
4. What quantity of ingredient A is needed to prepare 500 mL of an aqueous solution, such that diluting 25 mL of it to 100 mL produces a 1:2000 solution?
A. 0.1 g
B. 1 g
C. 1.25 g
D. 2.5 g
5. Which ONE of the following is an accepted treatment for pain associated with herpes zoster?
A. Topical betamethasone dipropionate
B. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
C. Topical capsaicin
D. Topical tretinoin
6. What is the primary physiological action of parathyroid hormone?
A. Increased mobilisation of calcium from bone
B. Decreased renal tubular reabsorption of calcium
C. Decreased resorption of phosphate from bone
D. Decreased excretion of phosphate
7. Which treatment is MOST appropriate for managing a scabies infestation?
A. Permethrin
B. Mebendazole
C. Malathion
D. Tinidazole
8. A drug that undergoes hydrolysis has an initial concentration of 0.16 molar. After 6 days, its concentration decreases to 0.04 molar. Assuming first-order kinetics, what is the drug’s half-life?
A. 1 day
B. 2 days
C. 3 days
D. 4 days
9. In which disease condition is the composition of sweat altered?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Glomerulonephritis
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Cystic fibrosis
10. Propranolol is NOT indicated for the management of which ONE of the following conditions?
A. Oesophageal varices
B. Phaeochromocytoma
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Migraine
11. Which anatomical structures prevent the backward flow of blood into the ventricles of the heart?
A. Valves in the veins
B. Atrio-ventricular valves
C. Pericardium
D. Aortic and pulmonary valves
12. Docusate sodium belongs to which class of laxatives?
A. Stimulant
B. Bulk-forming
C. Softener
D. Osmotic
13. If a patient is prescribed both salbutamol and beclometasone metered-dose inhalers to be used twice daily, when should the beclometasone be administered?
A. 5 minutes after salbutamol
B. Immediately after salbutamol
C. 5 minutes before salbutamol
D. Immediately before salbutamol
14. Which ONE of the following gram-positive organisms or anaerobes is resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotic clindamycin?
A. Staphylococcus saprophyticus
B. Clostridium perfringens
C. Haemophilus influenzae
D. Actinomyces
15. Which of the following medications has the longest elimination half-life?
A. Amiodarone
B. Morphine
C. Verapamil
D. Amlodipine
16. An adult receives an intravenous dose of 100 mg of a drug, resulting in a plasma concentration of 2.5 microgram/mL. Assuming uniform distribution in body water, what is the estimated volume of body water?
A. 0.4 L
B. 4 L
C. 40 L
D. 400 L
17. Which ONE of the following is a commonly reported adverse effect associated with fluoxetine therapy?
A. Hepatitis
B. Nose bleeds
C. Insomnia
D. Taste disturbances
18. Which ONE of the following is NOT a known adverse effect of tricyclic antidepressants?
A. Sedation
B. Diarrhoea
C. Blurred vision
D. Urinary retention
19. Which neurological disorder involves destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve axons?
A. Huntington's chorea
B. Multiple sclerosis
C. Parkinson's disease
D. Tardive dyskinesia
20. Which of the following statements regarding the use of beta-blockers in congestive heart failure is INCORRECT?
A. May cause bradycardia
B. Prevent ventricular remodelling
C. Can increase injection fraction
D. Increase AV nodal conduction
21. A laxative is MOST commonly prescribed to manage an adverse effect caused by which medication?
A. Piroxicam
B. Oxycodone
C. Cefalexin
D. Dexamethasone
How to Effectively Use a Question Bank for Success?
Merely having a good question paper won’t help you crack the exam in your first attempt. You also need to form an airtight strategy for preparation. Maximise your OPRA test planning with these master techniques told by experts-
- Begin Early- Never procrastinate. Don’t think that there’s still time left. An ample amount of preparation is required to crack OPRA, and thus, you must begin preparation with OPRA exam study material as early as possible.
- Practice Daily—Set a goal of practising at least one question paper every day because consistency is the key to success.
- Analyse Mistakes—Instead of just taking sample tests and proceeding, spend some time analysing your mistakes and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Audit incorrect answers to avoid repeating errors.
- Practice in a Simulated Environment—Try taking each mock test with a timer to create an exam-like environment and prepare your brain and body for the actual OPRA exam.
Where Can You Find the Best OPRA Exam Practice Questions?
There are a few trustworthy online sites, like that of the Australian Pharmacy Council, where you can find authentic exam preparation resources such as OPRA exam past papers. You can also find good material in study groups and social media channels. Here are some top sources for the best OPRA preparation material-
Official site of the Australian Pharmacy Council
Recognised pharmacy education services (for subject-based knowledge)
Online platforms with authenticated OPRA sample papers
To conclude with
Success in the OPRA exam starts with good preparation material, and thus, you must spend ample time finding the most authentic and comprehensive resources for preparation. An OPRA exam preparation course can help you crack the exam on your first attempt with 4-5 months of preparation.
Start practising today with a reliable OPRA question bank, and you'll be one step closer to your dream of becoming a pharmacist in Australia! Need expert guidance? Explore our OPRA exam question bank and get access to high-quality mock tests to supercharge your preparation.
