“Better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence.”: Atul Gawande
For many overseas pharmacists, preparing for the OPRA exam is difficult enough without a full-time job demanding most of your day. After an exhausting shift, finding the time and energy to study can feel like another challenge altogether.
Mayesha Khan knows that reality well. Originally from Bangladesh and now living in Tasmania, Australia, Mayesha was working full-time as a pharmacy assistant at Chemist Warehouse while preparing for the July 2026 OPRA Exam. Attending every live class wasn't always possible. Finding enough uninterrupted time to revise wasn't easy either.
But instead of waiting for the “perfect” time to prepare, she changed her approach. She used recorded lectures around her work schedule, spoke to her manager when she needed more study time, and eventually switched from full-time to casual work for the final two months before the exam.
On 11 August 2026, that decision paid off. Mayesha received a PASS in the July 2026 OPRA Exam on her first attempt. Her story is a powerful reminder that you don't always need more time to reach a career goal. Sometimes, you need to use the time you have more strategically.
Mayesha Khan’s OPRA Exam Success Story: At a Glance
| Success Factor | Mayesha’s Approach |
| OPRA Exam | July 2026 |
| Result | PASS |
| Attempts | First attempt |
| Result Date | 11 August 2026 |
| Origin | Bangladesh |
| Current Location | Tasmania, Australia |
| Employment | Full-time pharmacy assistant |
| Employer | Chemist Warehouse |
| Initial Study Strategy | Recorded lectures around work |
| Final Preparation Strategy | Switched to casual work |
| Focused Preparation | Approximately 2 months |
| Key Resources | Recorded classes, study materials, grand tests and adaptive tests |
| Major Support | Faculty, mentor and employer |
OPRA Exam Results July 2026: Mayesha Khan Gets a First-Attempt PASS
The July 2026 OPRA examination was held from 13–15 July 2026, with results released on 11 August 2026. For Mayesha, that result date carried months of preparation behind it. She had already experienced the pressure of balancing work and study. She had questioned whether she was prepared enough.
She had even contacted Sonal, Programme Manager at Academically, about extending her course because she was worried she might have to prepare for another attempt. The programme manager asked her to simply be patient and wait for the result. Mayesha waited.
On 11 August, the answer was finally there: "PASS". The course extension she had been thinking about was no longer necessary. The exam she had been worrying about was over. the pharmacist who had spent months fitting OPRA preparation around work had cleared it on her first attempt.
How South Asian Pharmacists Make it Big in Australia
Mayesha is originally from Bangladesh and currently lives in Tasmania, Australia. After moving to Australia, she began planning her pathway towards becoming a registered pharmacist. Like many overseas-trained pharmacists, she had to think beyond her pharmacy qualification.
The Australian pharmacist registration pathway requires overseas-qualified pharmacists to complete the relevant assessment and registration requirements. For candidates on the Knowledge Stream, the OPRA exam is an important examination step. Mayesha decided to pursue the OPRA pathway and began looking for structured preparation support.
That search eventually brought her to Academically. But there was one major complication. She was working full-time.
How Can Full Time Pharmacists Balance OPRA Exam Preparation with Work?
When Mayesha joined her preparation programme, she was trying to manage two demanding responsibilities simultaneously. In October, she started working full-time as a pharmacy assistant at Chemist Warehouse. For someone preparing for OPRA, a full-time pharmacy job might initially seem like an advantage because of the exposure to a pharmacy environment.
But professional exposure does not automatically create study time. Mayesha had full working days. By the time she returned home, attending a live class could be difficult. Sonal remembers those conversations well. She would encourage Mayesha to attend live sessions. Mayesha's response was essentially:
“I just came back from work. I'll take some time.”
It was not a lack of commitment. It was simply the reality of her schedule. So Mayesha changed the way she learned. Instead of trying to attend every live class, Mayesha made extensive use of recorded lectures. This gave her the flexibility to study after work and revisit difficult concepts when she had the time and energy. Her initial strategy looked something like this:
| Challenge | Mayesha’s Solution |
| Full-time work | Study around work commitments |
| Unable to attend every live class | Use recorded lectures |
| Limited weekday energy | Study according to availability |
| Need for exam-focused practice | Use grand and adaptive tests |
| Increasing pressure before exam | Create a dedicated final preparation period |
| Need for more study time | Discuss work flexibility with manager |
This is one of the most important lessons from Mayesha's OPRA preparation. You do not necessarily need a perfect study schedule.
You need a study strategy that you can actually sustain. For working pharmacists, flexibility can be more valuable than an unrealistic timetable. Here's a practical plan for working pharmacists to keep in mind:
| Preparation Stage | Suggested Focus |
| Early Preparation | Build foundational concepts and complete lectures |
| Work + Study Phase | Use recorded classes and consistent study blocks |
| Mid-Preparation | Start structured question practice |
| Weakness Identification | Use mock tests to identify gaps |
| Final 2–3 Months | Increase revision and exam-focused practice |
| Final Month | Grand tests, adaptive tests and targeted revision |
| Final Week | Consolidation rather than learning everything from scratch |
| Exam Day | Apply knowledge calmly and manage time carefully |
The exact timeline should depend on your starting knowledge, available study time and examination date. The key is consistency.
The Turning Point
As the OPRA exam approached, Mayesha realised she needed more concentrated preparation time. She spoke to her manager. Fortunately, her manager was supportive. Mayesha moved from a full-time position to a casual position, allowing her to significantly increase the time available for studying. Then came the decisive phase.
Last Minute OPRA Exam Preparation Tips
For approximately two months before the examination, Mayesha stayed largely at home and focused intensively on preparation. After the examination, she returned to her job. This decision was not about abandoning work. It was about temporarily changing the allocation of her time because the examination had become the immediate priority. That is an important distinction for working professionals. You don't always have to choose between your career and your examination. Sometimes, you need to reorganise your priorities for a defined period.
Mayesha used several elements of the Academically OPRA preparation programme, particularly the recorded faculty lectures and exam-oriented testing resources.
During the interview, she specifically mentioned sessions conducted by Academically's OPRA-qualified faculty who have an active registration with AHPRA. She watched the recorded classes and paid close attention to concepts that faculty repeatedly identified as important. According to Mayesha, this became particularly useful during the examination. She recalled that her first OPRA question involved another name for absence seizure, a concept she remembered being repeatedly emphasised during the classes.
For an examination assessing pharmaceutical and clinical sciences, understanding the underlying concept can be more useful than attempting to memorise disconnected facts. The goal is to make pharmacology, pathophysiology, therapeutics and clinical reasoning work together rather than exist as isolated compartments.
Do Grand Tests and AI-Adaptive Tests Help You Clear OPRA Exam?
Yes, Mayesha used both grand tests and adaptive tests during her preparation. She could not remember the exact number of questions from the grand tests that appeared in her examination, so it would be inaccurate to claim a specific question count.
However, she described the overall preparation experience positively and highlighted the relevance of the concepts taught in class and reinforced through exam-oriented practice. This distinction matters.
A good OPRA mock test should not simply encourage candidates to memorise questions. It should help them:
- Identify knowledge gaps
- Practise clinical reasoning
- Improve question interpretation
- Develop time-management skills
- Become comfortable with exam pressure
- Recognise recurring high-yield concepts
- Assess their readiness before the actual examination
That is the purpose behind incorporating grand tests and adaptive AI-driven mock tests into Academically's OPRA preparation programme. For candidates preparing for OPRA, the major knowledge areas include:
| OPRA Preparation Area | What Candidates Need to Build |
| Biomedical Sciences | Physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, immunology and disease processes |
| Medicinal Chemistry & Biopharmaceutics | Drug structure, properties and pharmaceutical principles |
| Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics | Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and drug effects |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | Mechanisms, therapeutic effects, adverse effects and toxicity |
| Therapeutics & Patient Care | Applying knowledge to patient-centred clinical scenarios |
| Exam Practice | Question-solving, timing, reasoning and exam temperament |
For Mayesha, the challenge was therefore not merely completing a syllabus. It was learning how to recognise what mattered most and apply that knowledge under examination conditions.
Specific Case Scenarios of Overseas Pharmacists Apprearing for Australian Pharmacist Registration Exam
Mayesha's journey offers a practical answer to one of the most common questions overseas pharmacists ask: “Can I prepare for OPRA while working?” Her experience suggests that it is possible, but the preparation model may need to change.
| If You Are… | Consider… |
| Working full-time | Using recorded lectures around your work schedule |
| Missing live classes | Revisiting recordings systematically |
| Struggling with consistency | Creating smaller, realistic study blocks |
| Approaching the exam | Increasing study intensity gradually |
| Able to negotiate work flexibility | Discussing temporary casual or reduced hours |
| Weak in specific subjects | Using tests and feedback to identify gaps |
| Experiencing exam anxiety | Building confidence through repeated exam-style practice |
| Preparing alone | Joining a mentor and peer-support environment |
The important point is not to copy Mayesha's exact schedule. Your work, family responsibilities, financial situation and preparation level may be different.
The lesson is to adapt the strategy rather than abandon the goal.
What Future OPRA Candidates Should Keep in Mind Before Sitting for the Exam
Mayesha's success story offers several practical lessons for overseas pharmacists preparing for OPRA.
1. You Can Prepare for OPRA While Working
Full-time employment makes preparation harder, but it does not automatically make success impossible.
2. Use Flexible Learning Resources
If live classes clash with work, recorded lectures can help maintain continuity.
3. Don't Ignore the Final Two Months
Mayesha deliberately created an intensive study period before her examination.
4. Communicate With Your Employer
Workplace flexibility can make a significant difference when preparing for a professional examination.
5. Listen to Your Faculty
Pay attention when experienced educators repeatedly highlight a concept as important.
6. Use Mock Tests Strategically
Grand tests and adaptive assessments should be used to identify weaknesses and improve exam readiness.
7. Don't Let Post-Exam Anxiety Rewrite Your Preparation
Feeling uncertain after an exam does not necessarily mean you have failed.
8. Keep a Support System
Mentors, faculty, peers, colleagues and family can all contribute to maintaining motivation.
To Conclude with...
Mayesha did not have the perfect preparation schedule. She missed live classes, worked full-time. She struggled to balance work and study. She worried about whether she had prepared enough. She even thought she might need another attempt. But she kept adapting. When recorded lectures worked better, she used them. When she needed more study time, she changed her work arrangement. When the examination approached, she committed to two focused months. And when the result came out, all those adjustments came together in one word: "PASS". That is why Mayesha Khan's July 2026 OPRA success story is worth remembering. It is not a story about having unlimited time. It is a story about making limited time work.
Congratulations, Mayesha, on clearing the July 2026 OPRA Exam in your first attempt.
Your success is an inspiration to every overseas pharmacist trying to build a future in Australia, especially those doing it while working full-time. Need a personalised career roadmap for you?