Last updated: 23 October 2026
Introduction
If you are a Indian pharmacist who wants to work in Australia, the OPRA exam is the main exam you must pass. OPRA stands for Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment. It is a computer-based exam with 120 questions and a 150-minute time limit. It replaced the KAPS exam.
Many students in Hyderabad ask the same question: which OPRA coaching option in Hyderabad is best for the pharmacists ? This guide gives you the official exam facts for 2026-27 first. Then it shows you how to choose a program,offical opral exam dates, fees, and syllabus details come from the APC website.
Not sure where to start?
Book a free consultation with our teamWhat Is the OPRA Exam and Who Needs to Take It?
The OPRA exam is the APC’s knowledge exam for overseas-trained pharmacists who want to register as a pharmacist in Australia. It checks your knowledge of the biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical sciences behind pharmacy practice. Source: APC
Who can apply for the opra exam ? You can apply if your pharmacy qualification is from any country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA. Your qualification must also equal:
- 4 years of full-time study, if you completed it after 1 January 2006, or
- 3 years of full-time study, if you completed it before 1 January 2006.
You do not need proof of registration in your home country. You must pass an eligibility check with APC before you can book the exam.
What OPRA does not test: The exam does not test Australian laws or practice standards. These are tested later, during the internship period. Source: APC exam guide
Is Hyderabad a Good Place to Prepare for the OPRA Exam?
Yes. Hyderabad has a strong pharmacy education base, and you can prepare for OPRA from home through online coaching.
- Hyderabad is one of the official OPRA test centers in India. The others are Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Noida. Source: APC
- Study and living costs are lower than in many metro cities.
- Digital learning options and peer study groups are easy to find.
- Seat availability differs at each center. Book as soon as registration opens. If your center is full, you can choose another one.
What Are the OPRA Exam Dates for 2026-27?
The OPRA exam is held three times a year. The next sitting you can still register for is 22–24 March 2027.
OPRA exam dates for 2026-2027
| Registration period | Examination dates | Results released |
|---|---|---|
| 18 August - 19 October 2026 | 23 - 25 November 2026 | 22 December 2026 |
| 19 January - 22 February 2027 | 22 - 24 March 2027 | 6 May 2027 |
| 11 May - 28 June 2027 | 26 - 28 July 2027 | 9 September 2027 |
| 14 September - 11 October 2027 | 8 - 10 November 2027 | 23 December 2027 |
Official source: APC OPRA exam dates. Last verified October 2026. Always check APC before you plan.
- Registration opens at 9am and closes at 5pm Australian Eastern time. Convert this to your local time.
- Registration closes about one month before exam day. APC does not accept late registrations.
- You can reschedule only during the registration period.
- Results come about 4 weeks after the exam.
When should opra exam aspirants apply for the eligibility check? APC suggests applying at least 8 weeks before registration closes. Using this advice, our calculation of suggested lodge-by dates is:
- March 2027 exam: about 28 December 2026
- July 2027 exam: about 3 May 2027
- November 2027 exam: about 16 August 2027
How Much Does the OPRA Exam Cost?
The APC fees for the OPRA pathway total AUD 3,355. This does not include coaching, English tests, travel, or Australian registration fees.
| What it is | When you pay | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility check | Before you book the exam | AUD 810 |
| OPRA exam registration | When you register for a sitting | AUD 2,245 |
| Skills Assessment Outcome | After you pass the exam | AUD 300 |
| Total APC fees | AUD 3,355 |
Official source: APC fees. Last verified October 2026. All fees are in Australian dollars.
- Retakes: There is no limit on attempts. You pay the full exam fee each time.
- Refunds: If APC approves your cancellation, you can receive 80% of the OPRA exam fee. A cancellation fee applies. APC does not accept refund requests more than 2 weeks after the session ends.
- Payment: APC accepts Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. The card must be issued by a bank in your country of residence.
- Rupee value: Convert AUD to INR using the live rate on the day you pay.
Planning for the March 2027 sitting?
Talk to our team about your study plan.What Is the OPRA Exam Format and Syllabus?
The OPRA exam has 120 multiple-choice questions and 150 minutes. It is closed-book and computer-based. Each question has one correct answer and three wrong options. Source: APC exam guide
- You get 5 minutes to read the non-disclosure agreement and 10 minutes for a software tutorial. These do not count towards the 150 minutes.
- 90% of questions are scored. The other 10% are unscored trial questions, and you will not know which ones they are.
- APC does not share raw scores. You only get a pass or an unsuccessful result.
| Content area | Percentage of questions |
|---|---|
| Biomedical sciences | 20% |
| Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics | 10% |
| Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics | 10% |
| Pharmacology and toxicology | 15% |
| Therapeutics and patient care | 45% |
APC allocates 55% of questions to recall, 30% to comprehension, and 15% to application. Therapeutics and patient care include dose calculations and safe medicine use in the elderly, children under 12, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Official source: APC OPRA exam guide. Last verified October 2026.
Why Do Overseas Pharmacists Find OPRA Hard?
OPRA is hard because it mixes wide recall with clinical thinking, and most students study without exam-style practice. Three gaps are common:
- Content gap: Many textbooks do not match current clinical guidelines.
- Focus gap: Therapeutics and Patient Care is 45% of the exam, but many students spend too little time on it.
- Practice gap: Without timed full-length tests, students feel rushed on exam day.
A clear study plan and regular practice close these gaps. This is where OPRA exam coaching can help.
Do You Need OPRA Coaching?
Coaching is not compulsory. APC does not endorse any preparation program, so choose based on your needs. Self-study gives you flexibility but often lacks feedback and structure. OPRA coaching can give you:
- Study material that follows the APC syllabus
- Regular mock tests under exam conditions
- Mentors who point out your weak areas
- Doubt-clearing sessions
- Better time management and clinical reasoning
How to Choose the Best OPRA Coaching in Hyderabad
The best OPRA coaching Hyderabad students can pick is the one that follows the APC syllabus, gives you mock tests, and supports you until exam day. It is not always the closest or the cheapest. Use this checklist:
- Faculty: Do the teachers know the Australian system and the APC exam?
- Syllabus match: Does the course cover all five APC content areas and their weightage?
- Clinical focus: Does it practice case-based questions and therapeutics?
- Mock tests: Are there full 120-question tests with a 150-minute timer?
- Feedback: Do you get reports that show your weak areas?
- Flexibility: Can you attend live classes and watch recordings while working?
- Extension policy: What happens if you need more time? Is there an extra fee?
- Support: Do you get help with the eligibility check and registration steps?
| What to check | Elite Expertise | Other options (ask them) |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | 100% online, live + recorded | Online or classroom |
| Access | Unlimited access until you pass | Ask about the extension fee. |
| Mentors | Arief Mohammad and Harika Bheemavarapu, Accredited Consultant Pharmacists in Melbourne | Ask who teaches and their experience. |
| Mock exams | OPRA-style mocks with feedback | Ask for test length and timing. |
What Does a Good OPRA Training Program Include?
A good OPRA exam training program teaches the syllabus step by step, then tests you with exam-style questions. Look for these parts:
- Foundation modules: Revision of core pharmaceutical sciences, calculations, and therapeutics.
- Exam-specific teaching: How to read and answer OPRA-style multiple-choice questions.
- Mock assessments: Full-length tests with feedback from trainers.
- Study plan: A plan that fits your schedule and weak areas.
The role of the trainer: A good trainer breaks hard clinical topics into simple steps, shows real cases, explains why one answer is better than the others, and tells you where you lose marks.
Course Curriculum and Study Modules
Elite Expertise: Australian Pharmacist Exam Training Structure – An Overview
| Month | Module | Topics covered | Activities included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Orientation and building the basics | OPRA exam overview, basic pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and more | Assignments, worksheets with mock questions |
| Month 2 | Case-based classes with clinical application | Pharmacotherapy, case-based learning, Australian practice scenarios | Case discussions, group sessions |
| Month 3 | Extensive revision and mock exam discussion | Full-length mock question discussions, revision of weak areas, time management | Mock test discussion with feedback and reviews |
Our 4-phase learning approach: foundation building, concept mastery, mock practice, and final revision.
Extra benefits: Weekly mini-tests or discussions, a personalized study tracker, a WhatsApp discussion group, and access to live and recorded sessions until you pass.
How Our Course Covers the OPRA Content Areas
| OPRA content area (APC weighting) | How the course covers it |
|---|---|
| Therapeutics and patient care (45%) | Chronic disease management, clinical guidelines, and drug therapy review |
| Biomedical sciences (20%) | Physiology, microbiology, and immunology are linked to drug action. |
| Pharmacology and toxicology (15%) | Mechanisms of action, drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions |
| Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (10%) | ADME, bioavailability, and dose adjustment calculations |
| Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics (10%) | Drug stability, formulation, and physicochemical properties |
Online and All-India OPRA Coaching
Yes, you can take online OPRA coaching from Hyderabad or from any city in India. The OPRA exam is computer-based and tests knowledge, not hands-on skills, so online learning suits it well.
- Live and recorded classes: Join live sessions and watch recordings later if you work shifts. [Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 2.30 PM IST]
- Learn from anywhere: Students from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and smaller towns use the same course.
- Mentors in Australia: Online classes let you learn from pharmacists who work in the Australian system.
- Sit the exam near you: APC test centers in India are Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Noida. Source: APC
| Mode | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Online coaching | Flexible recordings, mentors from other countries, good for working pharmacists | Needs self-discipline |
| Offline coaching | Classroom talk, group discussion | Fixed timings, limited access to Australia-based mentors |
Check that live doubt-clearing sessions are included and that mock tests are on the platform and not only PDFs.
How Much Does OPRA Coaching Cost?
The Elite Expertise OPRA course costs AUD 1,870, including GST. This is separate from the APC fees above.
| Course type | Duration | Fees in AUD | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPRA exam coaching | 3 months (unlimited access until you pass) | AUD 1,700 + 10% GST = AUD 1,870 | 100% online |
Confirm the price on the course page and the next batch start date.
Who Should Join OPRA Coaching?
- Pharmacists trained outside Australia who are preparing for the 2026-27 OPRA sittings
- Pharmacists who have been away from study for some time
- Candidates who tried KAPS or OPRA before and want a better plan
- Working pharmacists who need classes outside work hours
- Anyone who wants a clear, step-by-step study plan
How to Prepare for the OPRA Exam
Start early and practice under timed conditions.
- Plan at least 3–4 months of focused study.
- Read the official APC exam guide and sample content first.
- Give extra time to therapeutics and patient care.
- Practice dose calculations often.
- Take full-length mock tests with a 150-minute timer.
- Revise weak areas every week.
- Try the free Pearson VUE sample test to learn the exam software.
- Use up-to-date sources such as peer-reviewed journals, clinical guidelines, and textbooks.
Meet Your OPRA Mentors
- Arief Mohammad: Clinical Pharmacist at Northern Health Hospital, Melbourne. Accredited consultant pharmacist and educator at Elite Expertise.
- Harika Bheemavarapu: Clinical Pharmacist at Monash Health, Melbourne. Accredited consultant pharmacist and educator at Elite Expertise.
Student Success Stories
Many pharmacists from Hyderabad have prepared for OPRA with structured guidance and mentor support.
Milan: Hyderabad
I joined Elite through a friend's recommendation, and it truly transformed my preparation journey. The guidance from Harika and Arif gave me the clarity and structure I needed. Their well-organized video lessons, combined with strategic mock tests, kept me consistent, focused, and confident throughout every step of the program.
Sathyachandra Reddy: Hyderabad
I took OPRA coaching from Elite Expertise, and I'm really happy I made the right choice. I cleared my OPRA exam on my first attempt. Thank you to the entire Elite Expertise team for all your support and guidance throughout my journey.
Why Choose Elite Expertise
| Type of service | Description |
|---|---|
| Online flexibility | Attend live classes from anywhere in Hyderabad or India. |
| Expert-led sessions | Guidance from Arief Mohammad and Harika Bheemavarapu |
| Study materials | Exam-specific notes |
| Mock exams | Real-time simulated OPRA exams |
| Performance review | Personalized feedback and mentoring |
| Community support | Online group for OPRA aspirants |
| Continuous access | Recorded classes for revision until you pass |
How to Register for the OPRA Exam
You register in two parts: first the eligibility check, then the exam booking. Both are done only on the APC Candidate Portal.
- Check eligibility against the APC criteria above.
- Gather documents: passport, photo ID, birth certificate, degree certificate or completion letter, and academic transcript. Non-English documents need a full NAATI-accredited translation.
- Apply and pay AUD 810. APC aims to reply within 5 working days. Allow up to 4 weeks.
- Register for the exam after your eligibility email, and pay AUD 2,245.
- Sit the exam at a test center such as Hyderabad.
- Get your result in the Candidate Portal.
Scam warning from APC: Do not send documents or payments outside the APC Candidate Portal.
Official source: APC Knowledge Stream page.
What Happens After You Pass OPRA?
When you pass, you can request your Skills Assessment Outcome (AUD 300) from the Candidate Portal to support a visa application. You then apply to the Pharmacy Board of Australia through AHPRA for provisional registration and supervised practice before general registration. APC suggests calling Ahpra to discuss your own situation. Source: APC
Final Thoughts
If you are in Hyderabad and want to work as a pharmacist in Australia, plan your dates first. Apply for the eligibility check early, pick a sitting, and build your study plan around the APC syllabus. OPRA exam preparation with mock tests and mentor support makes that plan easier to follow.
Ready to prepare for the March 2027 sitting?
Contact Elite Expertise todayKey Takeaways
- The OPRA exam is run by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). It has 120 multiple-choice questions, and you get 150 minutes.
- Hyderabad is one of the official OPRA test centers in India.
- 2027 sittings: 22–24 March, 26–28 July, and 8–10 November.
- The November 2026 registration closed on 19 October 2026. The next window opens on 19 January 2027.
- APC fees total AUD 3,355. Coaching fees are separate.
- Therapeutics and Patient Care is 45% of the exam.
- Online OPRA coaching lets Hyderabad students and pharmacists across India prepare from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the OPRA exam?
The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment, run by the Australian Pharmacy Council for overseas-trained pharmacists who want to register in Australia.
2. Who can apply for the OPRA exam?
Pharmacists who qualified in countries other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, or the USA may be eligible to apply.
- If you completed your pharmacy degree on or after 1 January 2006, it must be equivalent to at least 4 years of full-time study.
- If you completed your degree before 1 January 2006, it must be equivalent to at least 3 years of full-time study.
Applicants must also meet the APC’s other eligibility requirements.
3. Is Hyderabad an OPRA exam centre?
Yes. APC lists Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Noida as test centers in India.
4. What are the OPRA exam dates in 2027?
22–24 March, 26–28 July, and 8–10 November 2027.
5. When does registration open for March 2027?
It opens on 19 January 2027 and closes on 22 February 2027.
6. What is the OPRA exam fee?
APC lists the Australian OPRA examination fee as AUD 2,245 per attempt. The fee for the examination is separate from the eligibility. Check the applicable skills assessment outcome fee as well.
7. How many questions are in the OPRA exam?
120 multiple-choice questions in 150 minutes.
8. What subjects are covered in OPRA?
Therapeutics and patient care (45%), biomedical sciences (20%), pharmacology and toxicology (15%), medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics (10%), and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (10%).
9. Does OPRA test Australian pharmacy law?
No. APC says OPRA does not examine Australian legislation or practice standards. These are tested later in the internship period.
10. How many times can I take the OPRA exam?
There is no limit for Australia. You pay the full exam fee each time.
11. How long does the eligibility check take?
APC aims to reply within 5 working days after it has all your documents. Allow up to 4 weeks, and apply at least 8 weeks before registration closes.
12. Is online OPRA coaching available in Hyderabad and across India?
Yes. Elite Expertise offers 100% online OPRA coaching with live and recorded classes for students anywhere in India.
13. Do I need coaching to pass OPRA?
No. Coaching is optional, and APC does not endorse any program. Many candidates use it for structure, mock tests and feedback.
14. How much is the Elite Expertise OPRA coaching fee?
AUD 1,870 including GST, with access until you pass. Check the course page for the latest price.
