What is OPRA?
The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) is a new exam that will start replacing the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam from March 2025. It's designed to ensure that overseas pharmacists are fully prepared to meet Australian pharmacy standards. OPRA™ uses a modern testing approach, namely the Rasch Model, to better evaluate the skills and knowledge of candidates, making sure the exam reflects the current needs and practices of the pharmacy profession in Australia. This change aims to improve how the exam is designed and delivered, keeping it up-to-date and relevant with modern pharmacy tests.
How is it Different From KAPS?
These changes will affect how you are tested, and you'll need to adjust your preparation strategy accordingly. Here are the key changes in how the exam will assess your skills and knowledge:
Shorter Exam Duration
The OPRA™ exam is designed to be more concise, featuring a single paper with 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be completed within 2.5 hours. This is a big change from the longer KAPS exam, making the test simpler and faster.
Revised Content Focus
The content of the OPRA™ exam has been updated to place a stronger emphasis on therapeutics and the practical application of pharmaceutical knowledge. This adjustment makes sure that candidates are better prepared for real-world scenarios they will encounter in their professional pharmacy practice in Australia.
Updated Scoring Methodology
The scoring methodology for the OPRA™ exam will adopt the Rasch model, which is known for its accuracy and fairness in evaluating candidate performance. This means questions will be categorised by difficulty – easy, medium, or hard and scored accordingly, with easier questions worth fewer points and harder ones worth more. It will be used to make the OPRA™ fairer and more accurate by measuring how tough each question is and how well each candidate performs.
Reduced Cost
The cost of the OPRA™ exam has been reduced to AUD 2190, making it more accessible to a wider range of candidates. This price reduction is a significant improvement for many aspiring pharmacists who previously found the higher fees to be unaffordable. By lowering the cost, more international pharmacy graduates will now have the opportunity to pursue their goal of becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia without the added financial burden.
Points of Difference | KAPS | OPRA™ |
| Exam Format | Two papers | Single paper |
| Number of Questions | 200 questions (100 per paper) | 120 questions |
| Duration | 4 hours (2 hours per paper) | 2.5 hours |
| Content Focus | Broad pharmaceutical sciences | Therapeutics & practical knowledge |
| Scoring Methodology | Traditional scoring | Rasch methodology |
| Exam Cost | AUD 2,290 for one attempt | Reduced to AUD 2,190 per attempt |
| Implementation Date | Last exam in November 2024 | First exam in March 2025 |
Impact on KAPS Aspirants
This sudden change will have little to no impact on the students who have taken their KAPS Exam in July of 2024 and passed it. Here is a detailed explanation of the same;
Exam Difficulty
The OPRA™ exam will have the same level of difficulty as the KAPS exam, so you can expect it to be just as challenging. While the format and some details are changing, the exam will continue to test you rigorously, ensuring that the quality and standards remain high. This means that even with the updates, the exam will still be tough and thorough, maintaining the same level of challenge as before.
Eligibility and Registration
There will be no significant changes to the eligibility criteria, registration process, or the number of attempts allowed for the exam. Candidates can still register and take the exam at the same test centres, maintaining a consistent and standardised testing environment.
Preparation Materials
One of the biggest changes candidates will need to make is updating their preparation materials. Since the focus of the exam content has shifted, you'll need to get new study guides and resources that match the new emphasis on practical applications and therapeutics. This means finding updated materials that help you prepare for the new areas of focus in the exam, so you can study effectively and be ready for the OPRA™.
Shorter Exam Format
Since the OPRA™ exam will be shorter and consist of only one paper, you’ll need to make some changes to how you study and prepare. This new format means you’ll have less time to answer questions, so you’ll need to adjust your study plan accordingly. You'll have to focus more on the key topics and practice managing your time better during your study sessions. It’s important to get used to this new format by practising with similar types of questions and learning how to quickly and effectively solve each one.
Financial Impact
The lower cost of the OPRA™ exam can help ease the financial burden for candidates, making it less expensive to get registered as a pharmacist in Australia. This reduced cost means that more international pharmacists will be able to afford the exam, making it easier for them to pursue a career as a pharmacist in Australia. This change will open up more opportunities for everyone interested in a pharmacy career in Australia.
Scoring Methodology
Using the Rasch method for scoring means the exam will be more fair and precise in how it measures your performance. This method helps ensure that your abilities and readiness to practise as a pharmacist in Australia are evaluated more accurately.
Implementation Timeline
The final KAPS exam will take place in November 2024, and after that, it will no longer be conducted. Beginning in March 2025, the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) exam will be the new standard test for overseas pharmacists who want to practise in Australia. Candidates will be able to register for the OPRA™ exam starting January 9, 2025, giving them plenty of time to get ready and adjust to the new exam format. This timeline allows candidates to prepare thoroughly and move smoothly from the KAPS to the OPRA™ exam.
Preparing for the OPRA™ Exam
As the OPRA™ exam introduces new elements and a revised focus, candidates must adjust their preparation strategies accordingly. Here are some tips to help you get ready:
- Update Study Materials Ensure that you have the latest study guides and resources that contain the new pharmacy topics, particularly those focusing on therapeutics and practical applications.
- Practice Time Management With the shorter exam duration, practice managing your time effectively during preparation. Copy exam conditions by timing yourself while answering practice questions.
- Focus on Practical Knowledge Given the increased emphasis on practical applications, it is crucial to deepen your understanding of real-world scenarios and how to apply your pharmaceutical knowledge in clinical settings.
- Stay Informed Keep abreast of any updates or additional information released by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) regarding the OPRA™ exam. Staying informed will help you be better prepared for any changes or new requirements.
- Join Study Groups Collaborating with peers can provide valuable insights and support. Join study groups or online forums where you can share resources, discuss challenging topics, and motivate each other.
Conclusion
The shift from the KAPS exam to the new OPRA™ exam is a big change for those wanting to become pharmacists in Australia. Even though the difficulty and eligibility for the exam will stay the same, the new exam format will be shorter, more focused, and cost less, making it fairer and more accessible for a large number of aspirants. It's a great idea to start preparing now for the OPRA™ exam so you're ready for the changes when it starts.
