2025 OPRA Exam Syllabus Changes & Preparation Guide

The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam is crucial for overseas-trained pharmacists aspiring to become registered pharmacists in Australia. Recently, several changes have happened to this examination, including a name change from Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) to OPRA. It is designed to assess the clinical and practical readiness of international pharmacy graduates. The OPRA exam is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). Recently, APC had brought some modifications to the syllabus and exam, which reflects the evolving healthcare sector of Australia.

This blog post contains the changes that highlight what's new in 2025 and provides guidance on how to prepare effectively. It also offers special insights into the expert-led coaching provided by Elite Expertise, trained by seasoned clinical pharmacists Mr. Arief Mohammad and Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu.

💡 Related Read:

OPRA Exam vs. KAPS Exam: Key Changes in Australia’s Pharmacy Licensure Process

Why was the OPRA Exam syllabus updated?

The practice as a pharmacist in Australia is continually adapting to new healthcare technologies, patient-centered care models, and intern professional collaboration. These changes demand that assessment tools like OPRA stay current & comprehensive. The 2025 OPRA syllabus update reflects:

• Increased emphasis on clinical scenarios and patient safety topics

• Integration of digital health and electronic prescription

• Expanded pharmacist role in chronic disease management and vaccinations

• Updated Australian healthcare guidance and protocols

What is the OPRA Exam syllabus?

OPRA exam mainly consists of 5 major content areas

Detailed breakdown of the OPRA Exam syllabus (2025)

New topics introduced

1. Biomedical science

2. Medicinal Chemistry & bio pharmaceutics

3. Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics

4. Pharmacology & toxicology

5. Therapeutics & patient care

What are the changes in the exam format?

The format of the OPRA exam in 2025 has been streamlined for better assessment of real-world skills:

• Multiple-choice questions: single paper with 120 MCQ-based questions, which is conducted in a computer-based setup at designated APC-approved test centers

• Scenario-based assessment: Case study type of questions that emphasize clinical aspects and patient care

• Exam duration: 2.5 hours long

• Scoring: According to Rasch's methodology, it is more transparent with criteria focusing on safety, accuracy, and professionalism rather than memorized knowledge

What are the OPRA exam preparation tips for success?

1. Focus on clinical reasoning-practice questions on case-study

2. Stay updated with the Australian guidelines and PBS schedules

3. Join a professional coaching program to ensure strategic preparation

4. Simulate the exam environment for practicing mocks with time limits

5. Master the communications skills for patient counseling & ethical decision-making

6. Understand the Australian healthcare system and the practices followed in the pharmacies

💡 Related Read:

OPRA Exam Common Questions – Everything You Need to Know

Why choose Elite Expertise for your OPRA preparation?

Elite Expertise is a premier training institute dedicated to preparing international pharmacists for licensure exams, especially the OPRA exam. Founded by Mr. Arief Mohammad & Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu, both accredited clinical pharmacists in Australia, Elite Expertise offers:

• Up-to-date coaching content aligned with the OPRA syllabus

• 100+ case study or clinical reasoning training with real-life Australian scenarios

• Exam simulation with exclusive mock tests and SOAP mastery

• Ongoing mentorship from educators who are actively practicing in Australia

• Provide a Worksheet and a short note

• 24*7 admin team support

• continuous networking with peers and the Elite team on a WhatsApp group

With a proven record of unmatchable success rate and a tailored approach, Elite Expertise empowers overseas pharmacists with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel

Final words

The 2025 OPRA Exam update is a positive shift, aligning the international candidate with real-world expectations of Australian pharmacy practice. While it may seem daunting initially, the proper guidance and OPRA exam preparation can turn this challenge into a stepping stone for a fulfilling pharmacy career in Australia.

With Elite Expertise by your side, you are not just preparing for an exam; you are preparing for your future.

⚠️ Disclaimer

The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the OPRA exam, the official resources from the Australian Pharmacy Council and the Pharmacy Board of Australia are the definitive sources of information.

Krupa Karamchand is a B. Pharm graduate and KAPS-qualified pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. As an experienced SEO content writer, she combines her in-depth healthcare knowledge with proven digital strategies to create informative, engaging, and search engine–optimized blogs. Krupa is passionate about making complex medical topics easy to understand and accessible to all readers.

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About the Author

Krupa Karamchand

Content Writer | Elite Expertise