The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) has announced the OPRA® examination schedule for 2027, giving overseas-qualified pharmacists an opportunity to plan their Australian pharmacy registration journey well in advance.
The 2027 OPRA® examination will be conducted across three examination periods in March, July and November 2027.
For pharmacists from India and other countries planning to practise in Australia, understanding the exam dates, registration periods and preparation timeline is essential.
OPRA Exam Dates 2027
According to the 2027 examination schedule announced by APC, the dates are:
22 to 24 March
26 to 28 July
8 to 10 November
Important: Candidates should always verify the latest dates, registration requirements, fees and availability directly through the Australian Pharmacy Council before making an application.
What is the OPRA® Exam?
OPRA® stands for Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment.
It is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) as part of the Knowledge Stream pathway for overseas-qualified pharmacists seeking to have their qualifications assessed for the Australian registration pathway.
The OPRA® exam assesses knowledge and understanding of the biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical sciences underlying pharmacy practice in Australia. APC describes it as an important step in the provisional registration pathway for overseas-qualified pharmacists.
The examination is:
- Computer-based
- Multiple choice
- 120 questions
- 150 minutes, or 2.5 hours
- Delivered at approved test centres
- Closed book
Each question has one correct answer and three incorrect options.
OPRA® Replaced the KAPS Examination
If you have been researching the Australian pharmacist pathway for some time, you may remember the KAPS examination.
APC announced in July 2024 that the KAPS examination would be replaced by the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment, OPRA®, beginning in March 2025. The final KAPS examination was conducted in November 2024.
The redesigned OPRA® examination places greater emphasis on therapeutics and the application of knowledge, reflecting contemporary pharmacy practice in Australia.
Therefore, candidates preparing for the 2027 examination should ensure that they are using current OPRA® preparation resources, rather than relying exclusively on older KAPS material.
Who Can Take the OPRA® Exam?
The OPRA® pathway is relevant to overseas-qualified pharmacists who are seeking to have their pharmacy qualifications assessed for the Australian registration pathway.
Candidates need to complete the applicable eligibility process with APC before registering for the examination. APC recommends that candidates submit their Eligibility Check sufficiently in advance of the registration closing date for their preferred examination.
This means candidates should not wait until the registration period begins to start their documentation and eligibility process.
OPRA Exam 2027: Which Exam Should You Choose?
With three examination periods available in 2027, candidates can select a target based on their eligibility status and preparation readiness.
March 2027 OPRA Exam
Registration: 5 January to 22 February 2027
Exam: 22 to 24 March 2027
This is the first OPRA® examination opportunity of 2027.
Candidates targeting March should ideally begin their preparation several months before the registration period opens.
July 2027 OPRA Exam
Registration: 11 May to 28 June 2027
Exam: 26 to 28 July 2027
The July examination provides additional preparation time for candidates who are not ready for the March sitting or who need more time to complete their eligibility process.
November 2027 OPRA Exam
Registration: 14 September to 11 October 2027
Exam: 8 to 10 November 2027
This is the final currently announced OPRA® examination period for 2027.
Candidates who need additional preparation time during the year can consider this sitting, subject to APC eligibility and registration requirements.
How to Prepare for OPRA® 2027
OPRA® covers a broad range of pharmaceutical and clinical sciences. Simply reading textbooks may not be enough for effective preparation.
A structured preparation strategy should include:
1. Understand the OPRA® syllabus
Start by understanding the content areas assessed in the examination and identify your stronger and weaker subjects.
2. Build your core knowledge
Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorising isolated facts. OPRA® questions are designed to assess knowledge and the ability to apply it.
3. Practise MCQs regularly
Regular multiple-choice question practice helps you become familiar with the examination format and develop the ability to eliminate incorrect options.
4. Take timed mock examinations
OPRA® gives candidates 150 minutes to answer 120 questions. Practising under timed conditions can help improve speed, accuracy and time management.
5. Focus on therapeutics and clinical application
The redesigned OPRA® examination has a stronger focus on therapeutics and the application of knowledge in line with contemporary Australian pharmacy practice.
6. Use official APC resources
Candidates should review the official APC OPRA® Exam Guide and sample content. APC provides sample questions to help candidates understand the format and style of the examination.
Where Can Indian Pharmacists Take the OPRA® Exam?
APC lists approved OPRA® examination locations internationally.
For candidates in India, APC has listed test-centre locations including:
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Noida and surrounding areas
Seat availability can vary between locations, and APC advises candidates to check availability when registering.
This makes the OPRA® pathway particularly accessible for pharmacists preparing from India.
What Happens After Passing OPRA®?
Passing OPRA® is an important milestone, but it is not the final step to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia.
The OPRA® examination forms part of the Knowledge Stream Skills Assessment pathway. Candidates then need to complete the applicable subsequent steps towards Australian pharmacist registration, including the requirements associated with provisional registration, supervised practice and internship.
Therefore, candidates should plan their journey beyond the examination itself.
Why Start OPRA® Preparation Early?
The announcement of the 2027 examination schedule gives overseas pharmacists an opportunity to plan their journey in advance.
Starting early allows you to:
- Determine your preferred 2027 examination
- Complete your eligibility process
- Organise your documents
- Understand the OPRA® syllabus
- Build your subject knowledge
- Practise MCQs
- Complete mock examinations
- Identify weak areas
- Develop a revision strategy
- Prepare for the computer-based examination format
Early preparation can also give you flexibility if your preferred examination date or test-centre availability changes.
OPRA Exam Dates 2027: Quick Summary
March 2027
Registration: 5 January to 22 February 2027
Exam: 22 to 24 March 2027
July 2027
Registration: 11 May to 28 June 2027
Exam: 26 to 28 July 2027
November 2027
Registration: 14 September to 11 October 2027
Exam: 8 to 10 November 2027
Results for the 2027 examination periods are currently listed as TBC in the published schedule.
Start Your OPRA® 2027 Preparation
The announcement of the 2027 OPRA® dates gives overseas pharmacists a clear opportunity to plan their Australian pharmacy journey.
Whether you are targeting the March, July or November 2027 OPRA® examination, the earlier you start, the more time you have to build your knowledge, practise questions and prepare strategically.
Planning to take OPRA® in 2027 from India?
At Zeal Academy, we provide structured OPRA® preparation for overseas pharmacists, with concept-based teaching, question practice, mock examinations, revision and exam-focused preparation.
Choose your target OPRA® 2027 exam date and start preparing today.
Official Sources
- Australian Pharmacy Council, OPRA® Exam Information
- APC, OPRA® Exam Information
- Australian Pharmacy Council, Knowledge Stream Skills Assessment
- APC, Knowledge Stream Skills Assessment
- Australian Pharmacy Council, OPRA® Exam Guide
- APC, OPRA® Exam Guide
- Australian Pharmacy Council, OPRA® Sample Content
- APC, OPRA® Sample Content
- Australian Pharmacy Council, KAPS to OPRA® Announcement
- APC, Announcement of the redesigned OPRA® examination
Disclaimer: OPRA® is an examination administered by the Australian Pharmacy Council. Candidates should always refer to the official APC website for the latest examination dates, eligibility requirements, fees, test-centre availability and registration instructions.
