Key Points to Remember
- The OPRA exam has three exam sessions scheduled.
- In the 2026 sessions follow fixed registration windows.
- All of the registrations are open months before exam dates.
- The results are released within weeks post-exam.
- The APC eligibility must start early.
- Get a complete eligibility check 8–12 weeks prior.
- The late registration may forfeit exam slots.
- And accurate document submission is essential.
- The early planning avoids delays.
- To track official updates regularly.
The transition from the KAPS exam to the new Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) has overseas-trained pharmacists asking crucial questions:
- What is OPRA?
- How does it affect my path to registration in Australia or New Zealand?
- When are the official exam dates for the 2025–2026 cycle?
- What are the non-negotiable registration deadlines?
Many candidates are also wondering about the critical “Eligibility Check” timeline and how early I must start the process to ensure I secure my preferred exam slot. And all of this detailed guide breaks down the Australian Pharmacy Council’s (APC) official OPRA schedule. It provides all the essential dates, fees, and preparation tips you need to navigate this pivotal step in your professional journey confidently.
1. What Are the Official OPRA Exam Dates for 2025-26?
All of the OPRA exam is typically offered three times a year at authorised Pearson VUE test centres globally. It is based on publicly available projections for 2025-26 and here is a likely OPRA calendar:
| Exam Session | Exam Dates (Projected) | Registration Window (Approximate) | Results Release (Approximate) |
| 2025 – Session 3 | 24–26 November 2025 | 19 Aug – 27 Oct 2025 | 22 December 2025 |
| 2026 – Session 1 | 23–25 March 2026 | 6 Jan – 23 Feb 2026 | 21 April 2026 |
| 2026 – Session 2 | 13–15 July 2026 | 28 Apr – 15 Jun 2026 | 11 August 2026 |
| 2026 – Session 3 | 23–25 November 2026 | 18 Aug – 19 Oct 2026 | 22 December 2026 |
Disclaimer: All of these are projected dates based on past cycles and public info. There are candidates who must verify exams and registration deadlines on the official APC “Skills assessment & exams” or PCNZ/OPRA pages before registering.
And it is because slots are limited, especially in high-demand regions. Careful planning well in advance is vital to secure your preferred exam session.
2. How to Register and Book Your Exam Slot?
The registering for OPRA is a two-phase process:
Phase 1: Eligibility Check / Skills Assessment
- You must first submit an application for the Eligibility Check to APC (or PCNZ for NZ registration).
- This involves uploading academic credentials or pharmacy license/registration proof or identity documents and any required translations.
- APC usually takes several weeks (around 8–12 weeks) to complete this assessment. It allows enough time before your planned exam session.
Phase 2: Exam Registration & Slot Booking
- After you receive an eligibility confirmation email and log in to the APC Candidate Portal during the official registration window for your chosen session.
- To select your preferred Pearson VUE test centre and exam date then pay the full exam fee immediately to secure your slot. Slots fill on a first-come or first-served basis.
Ensure that the initial consideration from PCNZ (Non-REQR route) is approved and sent to APC before booking for candidates aiming for New Zealand pharmacist registration.
3. What Is the Timeline for Fee Payment and Document Submission?
Here’s a summary of the financial and document submission timeline you must follow:
Important: The payment must be cleared at booking time. If payment fails or is delayed, your slot may be released. And there are no late registrations that are accepted once the window closes.
4. How Long Before the Exam Should You Start preparing?
It is because the OPRA demands strong clinical reasoning and real-world application (not just rote knowledge). You should begin preparation 3.5 to 6 months before your planned exam date.
- Therapeutics & Patient Care is the most significant exam component, accounting for roughly 45% of the questions.
- A structured study timeline provides you time to cover all sections thoroughly. It performs revisions and practice MCQs and mock tests.
Tip: When you plan to enroll in a coaching course and start at least 4–5 months before to allow complete coverage and revision cycles.
5. How Are Exam Centres and Slots Allocated?
- OPRA is delivered worldwide via Pearson VUE test centres. During registration or candidates select their preferred centre and time slot.
- It gets slots operated on a first-come, first-served basis. High-demand centres (like major cities or countries with many applicants) often fill quickly.
- The APC or PCNZ do not pre-assign centres and your selection and timely payment secure the booking.
Important: To make sure the name on your APC/PCNZ profile matches exactly your passport name. The mismatches can lead to denial of entry on exam day.
6. How do you track changes in the exam schedule?
All of the exam schedules may change due to unforeseen circumstances such as public holidays or logistical issues. To stay updated:
- It regularly checks the APC website’s “Skills Assessment & Exams” or PCNZ notification page for official announcements.
- To log in to your APC Candidate Portal frequently — this is where you’ll receive any schedule changes, booking confirmations, or administrative updates.
- And avoid relying on third-party or coaching-centre posts. It is always cross-verify with official sources.
7. How to Use Mock Tests in Line With Exam Dates?
The mock tests are vital for aligning your preparation with the official exam calendar.
- Early Mock (3–4 months before): To take a diagnostic test to benchmark knowledge gaps.
- Mid-point Mock (6–8 weeks before): It helps you track progress and adjust focus areas.
- Final Mock Series (2–3 weeks prior): To take 2–4 full-length timed mocks under exam conditions (120 MCQs in 150 minutes) to build stamina and time-management skills.
All of these mocks should follow the same syllabus weighting. Especially emphasising Therapeutics & Patient Care (~45%) — to simulate real exam conditions.
8. What Are the Common Mistakes in Managing Exam Schedules?
There are many candidates fail or get delayed due to avoidable scheduling or administrative errors:
- Late eligibility submission: After submitting just before the registration window leaves no time to fix document issues, you may miss the exam slot.
- Delaying slot booking/payment: The popular centres fill quickly. Waiting can force you to take inconvenient or distant slots.
- Name mismatches: Failing to match the APC profile with the passport leads to denial of entry.
- Underestimating preparation time: Booking exams too soon before covering the syllabus causes stress and poor performance.
To avoid these, plan early or verify details carefully and book as soon as registration opens.
9. How to Plan Revision According to the Exam Calendar?
A good revision plan aligns with your target exam date. Example schedule for 8-week window:
| Weeks Until Exam | Focus Area |
| 8–6 Weeks | Core content review — high-yield topics, flashcards |
| 5–3 Weeks | Case-based MCQ practice, full-length mocks (2–3) |
| 2 Weeks | Weak area revision, last-minute summary notes, alcohol-free, good rest |
| Final Week | Light review (formulas, quick notes), logistics check (passport, test centre, time) |
By using this plan ensures balanced revision not overloading too early. But giving enough time for consolidation and practice.
10. How to Stay Updated With Official OPRA Notifications?
- Candidate Portal: The central hub for exam status, booking confirmations or changes and results.
- Registered Email: To keep the email in your profile active and the APC sends key notifications here.
- APC / PCNZ Official Pages: It is regularly checked for public announcements on exam schedule or fees or policy changes.
To get avoid rumours or unverified sources only rely on official communications to prevent misinformation or missed updates.
Why Consider a Preparation Course: About Elite Expertise OPRA Exam Preparation Course
Wanting to prepare for OPRA can be overwhelming? The syllabus is broad and the exam emphasizes clinical reasoning, not rote recall. And that’s where structured coaching can help. The Elite Expertise is a renowned online platform specializing in OPRA preparation for international pharmacists.
What They Offer:
- Comprehensive syllabus coverage: All of the courses aligned with the 2025 OPRA exam content biomedical sciences, pharmacology, therapeutics or calculations and compassionate patient care approach.
- Mock exams: The mock tests that emulate real exam format and difficulty.
- Expert mentors: And the accredited Australian clinical pharmacists guide you through real-world scenarios and clinical reasoning practice.
- Flexible learning: All the live + recorded sessions or ideal for busy or working professionals. They give worldwide access for candidates in any location.
- Support through registration: The assistance with documentation,l or eligibility application guidance and advice through Skills Assessment to provisional registration.
There are many students who credit the structured plan and continuous mock testing for their success. It is especially for first-time passers.
Final Thoughts
The OPRA exam is a critical milestone for internationally trained pharmacists seeking registration in Australia or New Zealand. But it’s not just a test. It’s a full process involving eligibility checks, scheduling, documents or strict deadlines and rigorous syllabus demands. The managing the OPRA Exam Schedule 2025-26 carefully and registering in time or booking the right slot and aligning your preparation with the official calendar can save you months of delay.
After combining a disciplined self-study plan with expert guidance like that from Elite Expertise. It can significantly improve your confidence, time management and readiness. With careful scheduling or consistent preparation and a clear timeline. You can passing the OPRA exam becomes a realistic and achievable goal.
A very good luck on your journey to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia or New Zealand!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the OPRA Exam
The OPRA exam duration is 2.5 hours and includes 120 multiple-choice questions.
The OPRA exam consists of a total of 120 multiple-choice questions.
You should allocate around 75 seconds per question on average.
Yes, the OPRA exam can be rescheduled through the APC Candidate Portal within the allowed window.
No, the OPRA exam is continuous for 2.5 hours without any scheduled breaks.
You can track time using the on-screen timer provided by APC during the exam.
The Therapeutics and Patient Care section generally requires the most attention and time.
Flag difficult questions and move ahead quickly. Return to them after completing the rest.
Yes, mock tests help simulate real exam timing and improve speed and time management.
Stay focused on one question at a time and maintain a steady pace to avoid panic.