Home Blogs Events Scholarships
  • Study Abroad New
    • Contact

    How to Prepare for the OPRA™ Exam: A Complete Guide for Overseas Pharmacists

    Oct 08, 2024 3 min read

    The exam for overseas pharmacists aiming to practise in Australia is evolving. The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) exam is set to replace the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam in March 2025. It represents a significant shift in how aspiring pharmacists demonstrate their readiness. 

    This transition marks a significant shift in how aspiring pharmacists demonstrate their readiness, necessitating new strategies and preparation methods for OPRA exam preparation.

    Whether you are an experienced pharmacist or a recent graduate, this guide will help you understand the changes and how to prepare effectively for the OPRA exam.

    What is OPRA™, and What Are the Changes?

    The OPRA™ exam is the latest initiative by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) to ensure that overseas pharmacists have the knowledge and skills aligned with current Australian pharmacy practices. The final KAPS exam will be held in November 2024, after which OPRA™ will take over as the standard assessment.

    This change is part of the APC’s commitment to modernising exam design and delivery, ensuring that the assessments are not only current and valid but also reflective of the real-world demands of the pharmacy profession in Australia.

    Key Changes

    Shorter Exam Duration: The OPRA™ exam is more concise, offering a shorter, single-paper format.

    Content Revision: The content areas have been updated to reflect contemporary pharmacy practice better.

    Updated Scoring Methodology: The methodology used to score the exam has been refined, though the specific details remain in line with ensuring fairness and accuracy.

    Reduced Cost: Candidates will also benefit from a reduced cost for the OPRA™ exam compared to the KAPS exam.

    What Has NOT Changed

    • The exam difficulty remains unchanged, maintaining the same rigour as KAPS.
    • The eligibility and registration processes are identical to those for the KAPS exam.
    • The exam will still be conducted at test centres.
    • The number of attempts allowed and the validity period of the results have remained unchanged.

    Read More: Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA): A Comprehensive Guide

    opra exam

    How to Prepare for the OPRA exam? 

    The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam has new challenges and opportunities. Here's how you can effectively prepare for this new format:

    1. Understand the New OPRA™ Exam Pattern

    The OPRA exam differs from the KAPS in both duration and structure. It’s a single-paper, 2.5-hour exam with 120 questions. Understanding these changes is critical for adjusting your study strategies.

    2. Study According to the OPRA™ Syllabus

    Obtain the most recent syllabus for the OPRA exam and thoroughly review the updated content areas. Prioritise your study time based on the weightage of each topic.

    3. Practice Within the OPRA™ Time Frame

    Given the shortened duration in OPRA, practice completing full-length exams within the 2.5-hour time limit. This will help you get accustomed to the pace required to answer all 120 questions effectively.

    Take practice exams under timed conditions that mimic the actual test environment. This will help build stamina and improve your time management skills.

    4. Prepare for OPRA™ Using the Rasch Method

    The OPRA exam will use the Rasch scoring model, emphasising consistency and accuracy across different question difficulties. Familiarise yourself with this model to understand how your answers will be evaluated. The difficulty of questions adjusts based on your performance. Use practice tests that mimic this format to build your adaptability and problem-solving skills.

    Focus on answering questions accurately and consistently. The Rasch method rewards precision and penalises guessing.

    Read More: OPRA Exam for Overseas Pharmacists: Pattern, Structure and Testing Method Explained

    5. Focus on Practical Knowledge for OPRA™

    The OPRA exam will emphasise practical knowledge and real-world pharmacy scenarios. Integrate scenario-based questions and case studies into your study routine.

    Apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, ensuring you can think critically and make decisions as you would in a real pharmacy setting.

    6. Practise AI-Based OPRA Tests

    Utilise AI-based testing platforms, such as those offered by Academically, to get personalised feedback on your performance. These platforms often adapt to your learning style and provide targeted practice questions for the OPRA exam.

    AI-based tests can help identify your weak points and tailor practice sessions to focus on areas where you need the most improvement.

    7. Seek Help from OPRA™ Experts

    Consider enrolling in courses or hiring tutors who specialise in OPRA exam preparation. Expert guidance can provide insights into exam strategies and clarify complex topics, since the new exam pattern requires more focussed study.

    All these can be achieved by joining the OPRA Exam Preparation Course. Aprat from these you will also get personalised OPRA™ exam preparation tips from our experts.

    Final Thoughts

    The transition from KAPS to OPRA™ represents a shift in how overseas pharmacists will be assessed. Adapting to these changes requires a focused and informed approach to preparation. By understanding the new exam format, using updated resources, practising regularly, and staying engaged with relevant materials, you can enhance your readiness for the OPRA™ exam.

    For more information about OPRA, please fill out this form for one-on-one counselling with our expert. 

    FAQs

    Q: What is the format of the OPRA™ exam?

    Ans: The OPRA™ exam is a single, 2.5-hour paper consisting of 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers a broad range of topics updated to reflect current pharmacy practices and utilises the Rasch model for scoring, which adjusts the difficulty of questions based on the candidate's performance.

    Q: How can I prepare effectively for the OPRA™ exam?

    Ans: To effectively prepare for the OPRA™ exam, understand the exam format of 120 questions in 2.5 hours. Study the latest syllabus, practice under timed conditions, and adapt to the Rasch scoring model. Focus on practical knowledge with scenario-based questions and use AI-based platforms for personalised feedback and targeted practice. To get all these in one place, join the best coaching for OPRA.

    Q: Are there any changes in the eligibility criteria for the OPRA™ exam?

    Ans: No, the eligibility criteria for the OPRA™ exam remain the same as those for the KAPS exam. Candidates must still meet the same educational and professional qualifications to register for the exam. The registration process and number of attempts allowed are also unchanged.

    Q. Is self-study sufficient to qualify for the OPRA exam?

    Ans. No, self-study isn’t really sufficient. Enroll for online classes like, Academically. They do not just offer sample papers and AI-based mock tests, but you also get expert guidance and 1-on-1 counseling sessions from people who have been on the same path and won great accolades in life.

    Q. Where are the testing centres for the OPRA exam?

    Ans. The testing centres for OPRA exam are all across the world. In India, you can take the test from major cities that are well-connected to public such as, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune or Noida. Whereas if you are a candidate from Pakistan you can appear from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and surrounding areas. There are testing centres in Nepal, Canada, gulf countries, and more.

    Q. How many questions should I expect on the OPRA paper?

    Ans. The OPRA paper has 120 questions in total- all multiple choice questions (MCQ), in which 90% of these questions are assessed and that’s what determines the final result. The remaining 10% are unscored and used for testing purposes only and they do not determine your exam results.

    Q. What kind of questions I should put more emphasis on?

    Ans. The remodelled OPRA paper structure gives maximum emphasis to the sphere of patient care and therapeutics. It means you have to dwell in practicality more than rote learning. It mainly consists of case-based studies, prescription analysis, real-world problems, mostly what you’d deal in day-to-day life.

    Q. What’s the key to complete the OPRA exam 2025 syllabus on time?

    Ans. Time management is the key to complete OPRA exam 2025 syllabus on time. Academically provides the best online OPRA coaching, including expert guidance, sample papers, and AI-based Rasch method mock exams. Additionally, we offer 1-on-1 doubt clearance sessions to ensure you're fully prepared to pass the exam.

    Q. How many times are you allowed to attempt the OPRA exam?

    Ans. The OPRA exam has a high success rate, but if you are unsuccessful, you can reappear for the exam as many times as needed. You will, however, have to pay the exam fee for each attempt.

    Q. Can I get sample papers to prepare for the OPRA exam?

    Ans. You can take Academically’s OPRA preparation course to clear the exam on your first attempt itself. Backed by experts who have gone down the same path and won big in life, this preparation course has sample questions and answers designed keeping in mind the Rasch methodology.
    TAGS
    Dr. Indu K
    about the author

    Dr. Indu K is a dentist with one year of clinical experience. She seamlessly transitioned into content writing three years ago. Her passion lies in making complex medical information accessible to everyone. She uses her unique blend of medical knowledge and exceptional writing skills to bridge the gap between healthcare and the general audience.

    Must Read Articles