The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) has introduced the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) exam, a new standard for evaluating overseas pharmacists seeking to practice in Australia. Read more about OPRA Exam Its content and structure.
Arief Mohammad
Exam Structure
The OPRA™ exam is a closed-book, computer-based test delivered exclusively at approved test centers.
Designed to assess a wide range of competencies relevant to Australian pharmacy practice, the exam features:
Format and Questions:
- The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions.
- Each requiring candidates to select the best or most correct answer.
- This approach ensures a rigorous assessment of candidates’ knowledge and decision-making skills.
- Candidates are allocated 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to complete the exam.
- This time limit applies strictly to the examination itself, beginning when the first question appears on the screen with no break in between like in KAPS exam.
Pre-Exam and Post-Exam Activities:
- Pre-Exam: Before starting the exam, candidates have 5 minutes to read and agree to a non-disclosure agreement, followed by 10 minutes to complete a tutorial. This tutorial is designed to familiarize candidates with the exam software, ensuring a smooth testing experience.
- Post-Exam: After the exam, there is an additional 5-minute period allocated for candidates to complete an exam feedback survey. These pre- and post-exam activities do not count towards the 150-minute exam time.
- Randomization and Security: Each exam session features multiple live versions of the exam, randomly allocated to candidates. Additionally, all questions within the exam are presented in a random order to maintain test integrity and fairness.
Exam Content
The OPRA™ exam covers five key content areas, reflecting the diverse and evolving nature of pharmacy practice in Australia. The distribution of questions across these areas is as follows:
OPRA Exam Content Areas
- Biomedical Sciences (20%): This section assesses foundational knowledge in the biological sciences, crucial for understanding human physiology and pathology.
- Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics (10%): This area focuses on the chemical properties of drugs, their formulations, and the principles of biopharmaceutics, which influence drug absorption and bioavailability.
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (10%): Here, candidates are tested on their understanding of the dynamics of drug action, including the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, as well as the drugs’ effects on the body.
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (15%): This content area covers the study of drugs and their interactions within biological systems, including the therapeutic and adverse effects of pharmaceuticals.
- Therapeutics and Patient Care (45%): This section, the most heavily weighted, evaluates candidates’ ability to apply their knowledge to clinical situations, focusing on patient care, therapeutic management, and the practical aspects of pharmacy practice.
Preparing for the OPRA™ Exam
As the transition from the KAPS to the OPRA™ exam approaches, it is essential for candidates to familiarize themselves with the new exam structure and content areas. Preparation should focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical application, particularly in the areas of therapeutics and patient care, which constitute nearly half of the exam’s content.
At Elite Expertise, we are committed to supporting our students through this transition. Our preparation resources are being updated to reflect the new OPRA™ exam format and content areas, ensuring that our students have the most current and comprehensive study materials.
For any inquiries or guidance on preparing for the OPRA™ exam, please reach out to our team at Elite Expertise. We are here to help you navigate this new chapter in your professional journey and achieve your goal of practicing pharmacy in Australia. Stay tuned for more updates and resources as we approach the first OPRA™ exam session in March 2025.
