Candidates who dream about becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia have to clear the licensure exam. The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam is the licensure exam conducted by Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). This exam ensures that the international pharmacists meet the professional, ethical and clinical standards required by the Australian healthcare system.

OPRA exam mainly focuses on clinical reasoning, patient safety, pharmaceutical knowledge, and the application of concepts in case scenarios. For candidates, who wish to clear the exam on the first attempt, proper strategic preparation and expert-led guidance is very crucial and essential. This guide explores the OPRA exam syllabus, preparation tips, with free sample questions with answers.

 

What is the OPRA Exam structure?

Features	details
Exam conducted by	Australian pharmacy council
Mode of examination	Computer based test
Duration	2.5 hours
Total question	120 MCQs
Core content areas	Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacy Practice, Ethics & Law
Passing criteria	Through Rasch methodology (no negative marking)

Key notes about the format

• Most of the questions are case-study based clinical questions
• Candidates should take only 75 seconds per question on an average
• Less than ten questions are unscored, but candidates will not know which one is that
• Candidates would attempt all the questions as there is no negative marking

 

Common preparation resources for OPRA Exam

To successfully clear the examination, candidates must do proper preparation and strategic approach. It requires finding the right resources and understanding the core syllabus.

Official APC OPRA guide and sample paper

In the official site, there is clear explanation about the syllabus, exam format and questions types that is aligned with the original exam

 

Core subject textbooks are:

• Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) – the most important Australian reference.
• Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (Walker & Whittlesea) – excellent for case-based learning.
• Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (Katzung) – essential for pharmacological foundations.

Practice questions and mock tests

Daily practice MCQs that enhance the speed and knowledge of students. Candidates should practice the mock tests under real exam conditions with restricted time. It will help students to manage the time

 

Practice previous year questions

These will help to understand the pattern of questions that come in exams. Practicing the last year question papers will also help to boost the confidence in applicants

 

Use flashcard and short notes

This is very useful for last minute revisions, particularly to learn drug interactions, contraindications, ADRs and therapeutic guidelines

 

Free OPRA Exam sample paper 2025

Here are some practice questions with answers to consider:

1. A 56-year-old patient with hypertension has been prescribed lisinopril. What common side effect should be monitored?

Answer: Dry cough

1. Which test is essential for monitoring warfarin therapy?

Answer: INR

1. What antibiotic is contraindicated in pregnancy?

Answer: Tetracycline

1. First-line treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus is:

Answer: Metformin

1. Loop diuretics like furosemide commonly cause:

Answer: Hypokalemia

1. Which vaccine is contraindicated in immunocompromised patients?

Answer: MMR (live)

1. A patient on gentamicin requires monitoring of:

Answer: Serum creatinine

1. Antidote for opioid overdose is

Answer: Naloxone

1. Which authority regulates pharmacy practice standards in Australia?

Answer: AHPRA

 

How Mock tests can help in OPRA preparation?

Practicing mock tests regularly can be  a game changer in OPRA preparation. Candidates who rigorously does the mock test, it will boost the confidence and enhance the time management.

What are the benefits of practicing mock tests?

• It will train the candidates to take only 75 seconds to answer the question.
• It will boost the confidence through practicing
• Revision will help to understand the weak areas
• It will improve the analysis of mistakes through frequent practice

 

How to use mock tests effectively?

• Attempt as many mock tests possible to improve the preparation
• Review the mistakes done and improve the weak areas
• Maintain a log for frequent mistakes and learn

 

How to approach the exam day?

• Begin the preparation 3-4 months prior before the exam date to allow enough time for revision
• Daily aim for 20-30 mock tests questions to practice 
• Since there is no negative marking, candidates can attempt all questions 
• Focus more on high yield topics such as cardiovascular system, endocrine, infectious disease and clinical therapeutics
• Dedicate time for weekly revision to review notes and mistakes
• Manage the time wisely and avoid being anxious when face  difficult question

 

Is the OPRA Exam worth it?

Passing the Australian licensure exam, the OPRA exam is the first step for students who are dreaming to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. After clearing the OPRA Exam, students can apply for AHPRA registration to get legal rights to work as a pharmacist in Australia. It will make the overseas candidates to work in different sectors such as hospitals, clinics, retail or community pharmacies with higher salaries and a better career with stability

Through proper exam preparation and disciplined study with consistent practice make it a cake walk for students who dream to be in Australia. This exam is designed to ensure whether the overseas pharmacists are equipped with skills and knowledge to deliver patient centric care and effectiveness within the Australian healthcare system.

 

Final words

The OPRA Exam Sample Paper 2025 is the game changer to successfully clear the exam. A strategic preparation plan aligned with  official APC resources, daily MCQ practice, mock exams, and steady revision is very crucial. 

Success in OPRA doesn’t come from last-minute preparation, but with consistent learning and practice even freshers can successfully clear the exam in a first attempt.