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ToggleQuick Insights
- The OPRA Exam is the mandatory exam that international-trained pharmacists must take to practice in Australia.
- The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 150 minutes and it covers clinical pharmacy, pharmacology, law and ethics.
- By completing opra exam sample papers, mock tests, and previous year’s questions, one can actually build confidence for the exam.
- Using the official APC exam preparation material is important to pass the exam on their first attempt.
- The best results are achieved by a combination of theory revision, case-based learning and timed practice.
OPRA Exam Structure 2025
Parameter | Details |
---|---|
Conducting Authority | Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) |
Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Duration | 150 minutes (2.5 hours) |
Total Questions | 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Content Areas | Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice, Ethics & Law |
Marking | Some unscored trial questions included; No negative marking |
Key Notes about the format
- It requires applied knowledge, around two thirds of the exam is mostly case based and clinical.
- Practising under time conditions is essential. Time is limited to only 75 seconds per question on average.
- You won’t know which ones to attempt so carefully. Some questions are unscored and used for research purposes.
- There’s no reason to leave a question unanswered with no negative marking.
OPRA Exam Preparation Material
The extent to which your arrangement depends on the study resources. Countless candidates surround themselves with nothing but the standard textbooks, yet success is often achieved by implementing a mix of official APC materials, mock exams, and the right question bank.Essential Resources for OPRA Exam 2025
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Official APC OPRA Exam Guide & Sample Paper
- It is just the starting point. The guide includes a syllabus, question types and the questions it offers are similar to those that will be in the actual exam.
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Core Textbooks
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH): The most reliable reference for Australian practice.
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (Walker & Whittlesea): It is complete with case-based clinical reasoning.
- Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (Katzung): These are excellent for the pharmacological part foundations.
OPRA Exam Practice Questions
- These can be purchased from different online platforms or coaching institutes. 30 questions per day can be practised, so that recall speed improves significantly.
OPRA Exam Mock Tests
- Simulated exams recreate the real test condition. That’s how confidence is built, time is managed better and highlights weak areas.
OPRA Exam Previous Year Questions
- They are extremely useful in recognising the exam pattern. Although exact repetition is quite rare, concepts often resurface.
- Flashcards & Quick-Revision Notes
- Perfect tools for last-minute preparation. For example, flashcards that contain drug interactions, contraindications and therapeutic guideline points.
OPRA Exam Sample Paper 2025 – Free Practice Questions
- A 56-year-old patient with high blood pressure has been prescribed lisinopril. What common side effect should the patient be monitored for?
- Constipation
- Dry cough
- Weight gain
- Hypoglycemia
- Which test is most essential for the regular monitoring of Warfarin therapy?
- Blood glucose
- INR
- Serum creatinine
- Potassium
- What antibiotic is definitely not allowed for use during pregnancy?
- Amoxicillin
- Azithromycin
- Tetracycline
- Cephalexin
- First-line treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus is:
- Metformin
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas
- DPP-4 inhibitors
- Loop diuretics like furosemide commonly cause:
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypokalemia
- Hypernatremia
- Hyponatremia
- Simvastatin’s major adverse effect is:
- Hypoglycemia
- Myopathy
- Hypertension
- Constipation
- Which vaccine is contraindicated in immunocompromised patients?
- Hepatitis B
- Inactivated influenza
- MMR (live)
- Tetanus toxoid
- A patient on gentamicin requires monitoring of which parameter?
- Blood glucose
- Serum creatinine
- INR
- Sodium
- What drug is the antidote for opioid overdose?
- Flumazenil
- Naloxone
- Protamine sulfate
- Atropine
- Which regulatory authority in Australia is responsible for setting pharmacy practice standards?
- FDA
- AHPRA
- TGA
- WHO
OPRA Exam Mock Test Strategy
Mock tests are the strongest preparation tool available. Theory reading is a must but the actual exam success is based on how efficiently you handle the stress of the exam.Benefits of Mock Tests
- Time Training: Practicing under timed conditions is essential if you only have 75 seconds per question.
- Confidence Booster: By the time you have completed several mock tests; you will be less anxious on the exam day.
- Pattern Recognition: Soon you will realize what topics are repeated and which ones need you to spend more time.
- Mistake Analysis: Every incorrect answer is a chance to learn something new. Just as important as the test itself is the reviewing of them.
How to Use Mock Tests Effectively
- Start taking 10–12 full-length tests at least before the real exam.
- For every test, spend twice the time going over the mistakes.
- Create a “mistake notebook” — record every error with its correct explanation.
- Mix full tests with short tests that focus on only one subject (e.g. cardiology, law or pharmacy practice).
How to Approach the Exam
1. Start Preparation 3–4 Months Before
Your OPRA exam journey should ideally start at least 3 to 4 months before the date. This period allows you to do everything from going through the syllabus, revising the main concepts, attempting mock tests and experiencing the exam-like conditions. Starting your work early also helps to reduce your stress at the last minute and enables you to concentrate on your weak spots.2. Practice Daily with MCQs
Daily practice is more important than cramming. Set yourself a goal of completing 20-30 practice questions daily. This gradual way of learning will not only ensure that you cover all the topics but also train your brain to remember quickly. Over a period of months, this would mean hundreds of questions which give you excellent exposure to different patterns.3. Use Smart Elimination Techniques
Some questions might not seem so simple to understand at first. Therefore, you may want to work on the skill of eliminating the answer choices that are clearly wrong. The OPRA exam does not have a negative marking system. Hence, if you guess wisely after narrowing down choices helps to improve your score.4. Prioritise High-Weight Topics
The time you spend studying the cardiovascular system, endocrine disorders, infectious diseases and therapeutics should be more than the rest of the topics since these account for a large volume of the exam. Though pharmacy law and practice are also put to the test, most of the scores come from clinical application.5. Revise Weekly Without Fail
Set aside one day a week just for revision. Take this time to look through your notes, flashcards, and review your errors. Consistent revision is the key to extending memory.6. Stay Calm and Strategic on Exam Day
If a difficult question confronts you, don’t panic. Effective time management is important as per knowledge. Maximum performance under pressure ensures maintaining calm focus. Is the OPRA Exam Worth It? Absolutely. Passing OPRA is not about passing a test. It’s about opening a rewarding career gateway in Australia.Benefits of Passing OPRA
- Register with AHPRA as a pharmacist.
- Work as a pharmacist in community pharmacies, hospitals and specialised clinics.
- Open the door to a higher salary potential and career stability.
- Become one of the world’s best healthcare professionals in the future.
Final Words
The OPRA Exam Sample Paper in 2025 is basically a guide to your success. You will acquire the learning pace and self-assurance required for a pass by mixing official APC resources, daily MCQs practice, doing mock tests under exam conditions and learning from previous year questions. Let me remind you, success is not achieved by short-term memorising. It arises from steady daily work, which involves knowledge, application, and practice. If you apply the tactics given here, you will not only be able to pass the OPRA exam but also overcome it.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the OPRA Exam Sample Paper
In the OPRA exam there are 120 MCQs in 150 minutes.
No, there are no negative marks.
It is based on a scaled score set by APC but the exact pass marks are not published.
The exam is held 3 times a year (March, July and November).
You can find it on the APC website and, through preparation providers' practice sets.
It's best to start preparing 3 to 4 months before the exam day.
Yes, but you should supplement them with Australian specific references like AMH.
After passing the OPRA exam, you can apply for a supervised practice internship under AHPRA registration.
The fees of the OPRA exam are set by APC and they depend on each year (approx. AUD 2,000 - 2,500).
You can register through the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) website.