OPRA Exam 2026: The Complete Guide to Australia's New Pharmacy Assessment

If you've been researching Australian pharmacy registration, you might have noticed some confusion online – some sources mention KAPS, others mention OPRA. Let me clear it up.

KAPS is Gone. OPRA is Here.

The Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam was retired in November 2024. The last KAPS sitting happened then, and it's not coming back.

From March 2025, the Australian Pharmacy Council introduced the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) as its replacement. If you're applying now, this is your exam.

What Actually Changed?

The Format

OPRA consolidates everything into a single paper. No more multi-part KAPS format. You sit one exam, and you're done.

• 120 multiple-choice questions
• 2.5 hours duration
• Computer-based delivery at Pearson VUE test centres

The Content Focus

This is the big shift. OPRA puts greater emphasis on therapeutics and practical application of pharmacy knowledge. The APC specifically designed it to test whether you're ready to begin an internship in contemporary Australian pharmacy practice.

Less pure pharmaceutical sciences recall. More "what would you actually do in practice?"

The Scoring

OPRA uses the Rasch model for question selection and scoring. This is the same evidence-based psychometric approach the APC has used for other exams since 2020. It's designed to produce fair, consistent results regardless of which specific questions you get.

The Cost

Good news here – the exam fee actually decreased. OPRA costs $2,190 AUD, which is lower than the old KAPS pricing.

2026 Exam Dates

For 2026, there are three exam windows:

Window	Registration Opens	Registration Closes	Exam Dates
Window 1	Dec 29, 2025	Jan 9, 2026	Jan 17-25, 2026
Window 2	Mar 16, 2026	Mar 27, 2026	Apr 11-19, 2026
Window 3	Jun 22, 2026	Jul 3, 2026	Jul 11-19, 2026

Registration windows are tight – typically about two weeks. Don't miss them.

Where Can You Sit the Exam?

OPRA is available at 80+ test centres across 28 countries. This includes:

• Australia (multiple cities)
• India
• Philippines
• UAE
• UK
• And many more

You don't need to be in Australia to sit the exam.

The Full Cost Breakdown

The exam is just one part of the Knowledge Stream fees:

Component	Fee (AUD)
Eligibility Check	$810
OPRA Exam	$2,190
Skills Assessment Outcome	$300
Total APC Fees	$3,300

Then add AHPRA registration fees ($484 general, $583 for NSW) once you're ready to register.

How to Prepare

1. Get the Official Materials

The APC has developed new exam guidance materials and sample papers specifically for OPRA. Start there. Don't rely on old KAPS prep materials – the focus has shifted.

2. Focus on Therapeutics

This is where many candidates struggle. OPRA tests whether you can apply pharmaceutical knowledge to clinical scenarios. Study:

• Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
• Therapeutic Guidelines
• Common conditions and their management in Australian practice

3. Understand the Australian Context

Pharmacy practice differs between countries. PBS prescriptions, S2/S3/S4 scheduling, state-based regulations – you need to know how things work here.

4. Practice Time Management

120 questions in 2.5 hours gives you about 75 seconds per question. Some will be quick, some will need more thought. Practice working within time constraints.

Common Questions

Can I still use old KAPS prep materials? Some content will overlap, but the emphasis has changed. OPRA focuses more on therapeutics and practical application. Use updated materials where possible.

What if I failed KAPS before – do I have a fresh start? Your previous attempts still count. The registration pathway and attempt limits remain unchanged.

How many times can I attempt OPRA? Check with the APC for current attempt limits, as these can change.

When do results come out? Typically about 4 weeks after the exam window closes. For the November 2025 window, results were released December 22.

The Bottom Line

OPRA is a streamlined, modernised version of the old KAPS exam. If you're prepared for clinical reasoning and therapeutic decision-making – not just pharmaceutical sciences recall – you'll be in good shape.

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Need structured OPRA preparation? Our courses cover the updated content with practice questions designed for the new exam format.