OPRA Exam Sample Papers 2026:
Free Practice Questions & Answers
Preparing for the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA)? Practising OPRA exam sample questions is a useful way to understand the examination format, revise important pharmaceutical concepts, and evaluate your preparation.
On this page, you can explore free OPRA exam practice questions with answers and explanations, understand the official exam pattern, and access resources for further practice.
Our independently developed OPRA-style questions are organised around the five content areas outlined by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
OPRA Exam Pattern 2026
Before attempting an OPRA sample paper, it is important to understand the official examination structure.
| Exam Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Examination | Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) |
| Conducting authority | Australian Pharmacy Council |
| Question format | Multiple-choice questions |
| Total questions | 120 |
| Exam duration | 150 minutes |
| Options per question | Four |
| Correct answers | One per question |
| Content areas | Five |
| Examination mode | Computer-based at approved test centres |
OPRA Exam Sample Papers: Subject-Wise Coverage
The OPRA exam assesses five core content areas with the following approximate question distribution:
Free OPRA Exam Practice Questions With Answers
The following original practice questions are intended to help overseas-qualified pharmacists revise important concepts relevant to the OPRA syllabus.
These questions are not taken from a live APC examination and do not represent a prediction of actual examination questions.
Which of the following findings is MOST consistent with primary metabolic acidosis before respiratory compensation?
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B. Decreased blood pH and decreased bicarbonate concentration
Explanation: Metabolic acidosis is characterised by a primary decrease in serum bicarbonate concentration, resulting in a reduction in blood pH. Respiratory compensation may subsequently reduce arterial carbon dioxide through increased ventilation.
A weakly acidic drug has a pKa of 4.0. At a solution pH of 6.0, which form of the drug will predominate?
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B. Ionised form
Explanation: For a weak acid, the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation is: pH = pKa + log([A⁻]/[HA]). At pH 6.0 and pKa 4.0, pH - pKa = 2.0, meaning log([A⁻]/[HA]) = 2, so the ratio of ionised to unionised drug is 100:1. Therefore, approximately 99% of the drug exists in the ionised form.
A drug follows first-order elimination and has an elimination half-life of 4 hours. If 80 mg is present in the body initially, approximately how much will remain after 12 hours, assuming no additional doses?
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C. 10 mg
Explanation: Twelve hours represents three elimination half-lives (12 ÷ 4 = 3 half-lives). After 4 hours: 40 mg. After 8 hours: 20 mg. After 12 hours: 10 mg. The amount of drug remaining decreases by 50% during each consecutive half-life.
Naloxone is primarily used to reverse opioid toxicity through which mechanism?
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B. Competitive antagonism at opioid receptors
Explanation: Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that reverses opioid effects, particularly life-threatening respiratory depression. It acts predominantly through competitive antagonism at mu-opioid receptors without exerting intrinsic agonist activity.
A prescription requires 500 mg of a medicine twice daily. The available tablet strength is 250 mg. How many tablets are required for a full day of treatment?
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C. 4 tablets
Explanation: Tablets per single dose = 500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 tablets. Total daily tablets = 2 tablets × 2 doses daily = 4 tablets. This example illustrates a fundamental pharmaceutical dose calculation. Candidates should also prepare for body surface area dosing, dilution, and creatinine clearance calculations.
A 72-year-old female patient (weight 60 kg, height 165 cm) presents with an acute bacterial infection requiring Gentamicin. Her serum creatinine is 120 µmol/L. Using the Cockcroft-Gault equation with female correction factor (0.85), what is her estimated Creatinine Clearance (CrCl)?
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B. 35.5 mL/min
Explanation: Cockcroft-Gault formula: CrCl = [((140 - Age) × Weight in kg) / (0.814 × Serum Creatinine in µmol/L)] × 0.85 (for females). CrCl = [((140 - 72) × 60) / (0.814 × 120)] × 0.85 = (4080 / 97.68) × 0.85 = 41.77 × 0.85 ≈ 35.5 mL/min.
Which of the following structural modifications to a penicillin core structure is primarily responsible for conferring resistance against bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes?
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A. Introducing bulky, sterically hindering aromatic side chains (e.g., Flucloxacillin)
Explanation: Bulky aromatic acyl side chains provide steric hindrance that physically blocks the catalytic active site of staphylococcal beta-lactamase (penicillinase) from hydrolysing the beta-lactam ring, as seen in Flucloxacillin and Oxacillin.
A 64-year-old male with type 2 diabetes and hypertension is prescribed Enalapril 20 mg daily. During routine follow-up, his serum creatinine is measured at 180 µmol/L (baseline 110 µmol/L) and serum potassium is 5.8 mmol/L. According to therapeutic practice guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial management step?
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B. Withhold Enalapril, assess hydration status, and recheck renal function within 72 hours
Explanation: A rise in serum creatinine >30% above baseline or serum potassium exceeding 5.5–6.0 mmol/L following ACE inhibitor initiation warrants temporary withholding, evaluation of volume depletion or concurrent NSAID use, and urgent re-monitoring of renal biochemistry.
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How to Use OPRA Exam Sample Papers Effectively
Follow these six practical recommendations to maximize your mock-test learning:
Review the OPRA Exam Syllabus
Before starting a mock test, understand the five content areas and their respective weightages.
Practise Under Timed Conditions
The actual OPRA examination allows 150 minutes for 120 questions. Practising with a time limit can help you improve question-reading speed and time management.
Review Every Explanation
Do not focus only on whether an answer is correct. Understand why the correct option is appropriate and why the alternatives are incorrect.
Identify Weak Subjects
Review performance across Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Medicinal Chemistry, and Therapeutics.
Revise Pharmaceutical Calculations
Regularly practise dose calculations, dilution, concentration, infusion rates, and pharmacokinetic formulas.
Repeat Practice After Revision
Reattempt questions after reviewing weak concepts, and use new questions to assess whether your understanding has improved.
Frequently Asked Questions About OPRA Exam Sample Papers
Answers to common queries regarding sample questions, calculators, scoring, and official resources.
1. Where can I find OPRA exam sample papers with answers?▼
2. How many questions are in the OPRA exam?▼
3. Are OPRA exam sample papers useful for preparation?▼
4. Can I use a calculator in the OPRA exam?▼
5. What is the passing score for an OPRA mock test?▼
6. Are OPRA sample-paper questions the same as the real exam?▼
7. Which subjects should I focus on when practising OPRA questions?▼
8. Where can I check the complete OPRA exam syllabus?▼
Start Practising for the OPRA Exam
Regular practice, concept-based revision, and structured learning can help you prepare more effectively. Explore the following resources: