Key Takeaways
-
APC has directly confirmed there is no change to exam difficulty when KAPS became OPRA it's stated plainly on their own FAQ page.
-
The old KAPS exam had 2 papers (Part I and Part II); OPRA has just 1 single paper.
-
OPRA replaced KAPS completely from March 2025; the last KAPS exam was held in November 2024.
-
OPRA's question selection and scoring now use the Rasch model, used in other APC exams since 2020.
-
OPRA puts a stronger focus on therapeutics and applying knowledge not just memorising facts.
-
Structured coaching like Elite Expertise's 3.5-month course led by trainers Arief Mohammad and Harika Bheemavarapu, can help you prepare for this exam format properly.
Quick Summary
OPRA is not harder than KAPS APC's own FAQ page confirms there's no change to exam difficulty. It replaced KAPS's 2-paper format with a single paper, and leans more on applying knowledge especially in therapeutics. APC redesigned it for accuracy and relevance not to make it tougher.
Is OPRA Harder Than the Old KAPS Exam?
No — APC has directly confirmed there are no changes to the difficulty of the exam when KAPS became OPRA. This isn't a guess; it's stated plainly on APC's own official FAQ page about the redesign.
That said, OPRA does feel different to prepare for and that's often mistaken for "harder":
-
It leans more on applying your knowledge to clinical situations, not just recalling facts.
-
Therapeutics and patient care now carries a bigger share of questions than before.
-
It uses the Rasch scoring model, so your result depends on overall performance and question difficulty, not a simple percentage.
-
It's now a single, shorter paper, compared to the old KAPS exam's 2 papers.
So it's less about difficulty and more about a different style of thinking practical and clinical rather than purely theoretical.
What Exactly Changed When KAPS Became OPRA?
KAPS became OPRA in March 2025 with changes to the exam format, content, and scoring method but APC has directly confirmed there's no change to the difficulty of the exam. APC held the last KAPS exam (which had 2 papers) in November 2024, and OPRA (a single paper) has run since March 2025.
Here's a detailed side-by-side view of what changed and what stayed exactly the same:
| Point | KAPS (Old) | OPRA (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Papers | 2 papers | 1 single paper |
| Question Format | Multiple-choice | Multiple-choice, randomised within the single paper |
| Scoring Method | Different methodology | Rasch model (used in other APC exams since 2020) |
| Content Focus | Broader theoretical knowledge, similar content overall | More questions on therapeutics and application of knowledge |
| Exam Duration | Longer | Shorter, more targeted |
| Exam Difficulty | — | No change, confirmed by APC |
| Eligibility Process | Same | No change |
| Registration Process | Same | No change |
| Number of Attempts Allowed | Same | No change |
| Results Validity Period | Same | No change |
| Where It's Delivered | Test centres only | Test centres only, no change |
| Exam Cost | ~AU$2,290 per attempt | AU$2,245 currently (launched at AU$2,190 in March 2025, since risen) |
APC's own FAQ page is direct about this: "There are no changes to the difficulty of the exam." What did change is the style of questions OPRA content is similar to KAPS overall, but leans more toward therapeutics and applying your knowledge to real pharmacy scenarios, to match how pharmacy is actually practised in Australia today.
How Was the Old KAPS Exam Structured?
The old KAPS exam had 2 parts Part I covered core pharmaceutical sciences, and Part II covered applied, practice-based knowledge. Knowing this helps you see exactly where OPRA's single-paper format simplified things, while keeping the same broad subject coverage.
Here's how the old KAPS parts compared to what OPRA covers today:
| KAPS Part | Subjects Covered | OPRA Equivalent Today |
|---|---|---|
| Part I – Core Pharmaceutical Sciences | Pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutics | Biomedical sciences, pharmacology and toxicology, therapeutics |
| Part II – Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences | Pharmaceutics, pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy | Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, therapeutics and patient care |
In short, OPRA didn't drop any major subject area from KAPS it combined and reorganised the same broad knowledge base into one streamlined paper, with therapeutics now carrying extra weight.
Why Did APC Replace KAPS With OPRA?
APC replaced KAPS with OPRA to keep the exam current, evidence-based, and aligned with how pharmacists actually practise in Australia today. The change followed recommendations from a working group that reviewed the KAPS exam specifications back in 2021.
Here's what drove the redesign, in APC's own words:
-
A commitment to contemporary exam design and delivery practices.
-
A need for the exam to stay current, valid, and aligned with Australian pharmacy practice.
-
Adopting the Rasch methodology to provide "a shorter, more targeted assessment," as advised by exam design experts.
-
Ensuring candidates are ready to commence an internship in Australia as part of their registration journey.
In short, it wasn't about raising or lowering the difficulty bar it was about making the exam a better, more accurate measure of exam-day readiness.
How Does Elite Expertise Help You Prepare for the New OPRA Exam?
Elite Expertise runs a 3.5-month OPRA preparation course built around the current, redesigned exam format not the old KAPS pattern. Since OPRA rewards applied, clinical thinking, the course is structured to build exactly that kind of understanding.
Course details:
| Course Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3.5 months (15 weeks) |
| Lectures | 300+ hours, live + recorded |
| Practice Questions | 3,000+ |
| Access | Unlimited, until you pass |
Who teaches the course:
-
Mr. Arief Mohammad – Director & Co-Founder, Elite Expertise. KAPS-qualified, AACP-accredited consultant pharmacist, and clinical pharmacist at Northern Health Hospital, Melbourne.
-
Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu – Director & Co-Founder, Elite Expertise. KAPS-qualified, AACP-accredited consultant pharmacist, and clinical pharmacist and educator at Monash Health Hospital, Melbourne.
Students go through weekly modules covering pharmacokinetics, cardiovascular disorders, infectious diseases, and clinical scenarios, with dedicated review weeks, mock exams, assignment sessions, and a WhatsApp community for doubt-clearing all aimed at building the applied, clinical thinking the new OPRA format rewards.
Elite Expertise is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
Final Words
OPRA isn't a "harder" version of KAPS APC says so directly. It's a redesigned, more focused exam that leans on applied clinical thinking rather than pure memorisation. The format moved from 2 papers to 1, scoring uses the Rasch model, and therapeutics now carries more weight but the underlying subject coverage is largely the same as the old KAPS Part I and Part II. If you're preparing for OPRA, focus your study on applying knowledge to real situations, not just recalling facts and structured coaching like Elite Expertise's course can help you build that skill properly.
Prepare for the Exam That Actually Exists Today
OPRA isn't harder than KAPS — it just rewards applied clinical thinking over memorisation. Elite Expertise's structured course is built around this exact shift, guided by practising Australian clinical pharmacists.
Talk to Our Experts →