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The Australian Pharmacy Council has revised the 2026 CAOP® exam conditions to enhance its validity and integrity based on evidence-based assessment practices. Please read the information on this page carefully to prepare effectively.
Changes include:
The CAOP® (Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists) exam is one part of the registration process for overseas qualified pharmacists to apply for limited registration for supervised practice in Australia.
The CAOP® exam evaluates your skills and knowledge to practice safely and effectively during supervised practice in the period of limited registration.
For further information about pharmacist registration requirements, please refer to the Pharmacy Board of Australia website.
This guide outlines the exam content areas that we assess and is designed to help you prepare for the exam. We also suggest talking with your professional network about how you're preparing for the exam. Their support and advice might help you to perform better.
For further information about exam eligibility, registration, payment, and exam day procedures visit the CAOP® exam information page.
For a PDF version, download the CAOP® Exam Guide (PDF 13 pages)
CAOP® is a restricted open-book, computer-based exam delivered in person at approved test centres.
You may bring one original physical copy (any edition) of each of the following approved reference books:
Only one original paper copy of each listed book is allowed. Your reference book must not contain any loose sheets of paper or extensive handwritten notes. Your books may include:
Electronic or printed versions of digital files (e.g. printed PDFs or scans) are not allowed. The invigilator will need to inspect your reference materials prior to entering the exam room.
Refer to the CAOP® exam preparation page for information on what you can bring to your exam.
You have 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the exam.
Before the exam, you will be given 5 minutes to read and agree to a non-disclosure agreement and 10 minutes to complete a tutorial designed to familiarise yourself with the exam software.
After the exam, you will have 5 minutes to complete an exam feedback survey.
These pre- and post-exam activities do not count towards the exam time. The 120-minute timer will begin with the first question of the exam.
Each exam session has multiple live versions of the exam, which are randomly allocated to different candidates. Additionally, the order of questions is presented randomly for each candidate.
The CAOP® exam assesses competencies relating to domain 3 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. The table below shows the five competency standards assessed and the approximate percentage of questions allocated in the CAOP® exam.
The table below shows the five competency standards assessed and the approximate percentage of questions allocated in the CAOP® exam.
|
Competency Standard |
Percentage of questions allocated |
|
3.1 Develop a patient centred, culturally responsive approach to medication management |
20% |
|
3.2 Implement the medication management strategy or plan |
30% |
|
3.3 Monitor and evaluate medication management |
30% |
|
3.4 Compound medicines |
10% |
|
3.6 Promote health and well-being |
10% |
Details on each of the five competency standards and relevant enabling competencies assessed in the CAOP® exam are described below.
Each CAOP® exam includes questions from a broad range of topics relevant to contemporary pharmacy practice. These may include, but are not limited to, therapeutic areas, drug classes, disease states, pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical calculations, and related subject matter. Questions may focus on a single topic or integrate multiple areas.
APC is committed to ensuring that exam content is accurate, up-to-date and aligned with current clinical practice by engaging with subject matter experts. All questions developed for the CAOP® exam focus on evidence-based guideline recommendations and frequently prescribed or high risk agent(s) used in the treatment of various conditions. However, it is important to note that questions may include less frequently used medications, as these can enhance our ability to assess a candidate’s competency more thoroughly.
Candidates should not rely solely on reference materials during the exam. Not all information needed to answer the questions will be contained within the permitted reference books. You are expected to draw upon the professional knowledge you have developed throughout your training and work experiences.
Standard 3.1 - Develop a patient centred, culturally responsive approach to medication management
|
Enabling Competencies assessed |
Examples of topics used for the purposes of the CAOP® exam (non-exhaustive) |
|
3.1.2 Assess medication management practices and needs |
Assess clinical situations and medication treatment options Identify patient, drug and dosage form factors that may impact on patient adherence of efficacy and safety of treatment |
Standard 3.2 - Implement the medication management strategy or plan
|
Enabling Competencies assessed |
Examples of topics used for the purposes of the CAOP® exam (non-exhaustive) |
|
3.2.2 Provide primary care and promote judicious use of medicines |
Reinforce the value of evidence-based non-pharmacological and over-the-counter treatments with the provision of supportive advice and information where appropriate Promote the judicious use of medicines that supports their prescribing only where they are clinically indicated Prescribe appropriate medicines and treatment regimens based on consideration of their pharmacological actions and therapeutic uses, safety and cost-effectiveness |
|
3.2.3 Dispense medicines (including compounded medicines) in consultation with the patient and/or prescriber |
Assess clinical appropriateness of prescribed medications in the context of patient specific health information Assess and recommend any changes in the medicine treatment regimen that are considered desirable and documents approved changes Standards for drug preparations, packaging and labelling |
|
3.2.5 Provide counselling and information for safe and effective medication management |
Provide patient-centred and culturally responsive counselling to the patient to support safe and effective medication management practices Confirm patient understanding of medication management requirements Address lifestyle factors likely to improve health outcomes or promote improved therapeutic outcomes Deliver primary care to manage injuries (sporting, accidental, trauma) or acute and sudden illness (chest pains, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness) |
Standard 3.3 - Monitor and evaluate medication management
|
Enabling Competencies assessed |
Examples of topics used for the purposes of the CAOP® exam (non-exhaustive) |
|
3.3.2 Apply clinical review findings to improve health outcomes |
Provide recommendations concerning necessary modifications to existing treatment to improve medication management and therapeutic outcomes Reporting of adverse medicine events, including adverse drug reactions, sensitivities and allergies according to professional standards and conventions Interpret any monitoring undertaken to guide changes in the medication treatment regimen. Consider the necessity for any monitoring not yet implemented |
Standard 3.4 - Compound medicines
|
Enabling Competencies assessed |
Examples of topics used for the purposes of the CAOP® exam (non-exhaustive) |
|
3.4.1 Determine the required formulation |
Apply suitable standard formulations, compounding expertise, clinical expertise and judgement to advise and produce a safe, appropriate and suitable patient-specific formulation Calculate required dosages, drug half-lives and drug concentrations |
Standard 3.6 - Promote health and well-being
|
Enabling Competencies assessed |
Examples of topics used for the purposes of the CAOP® exam (non-exhaustive) |
|
3.6.2 Support health promotion activities and health services intended to maintain and improve health |
Identify and supports national and local health priorities and initiatives, including health screening programs, targeted at reducing health inequities consistent with the role of the pharmacist Deliver culturally responsive health promotion activities Promotion and support of improved self-sufficiency and well-being in patients and the community as a whole |
The CAOP® exam consists of 70 questions, including multiple-choice questions and fill in the blank questions.
To ensure consistency and clarity across the exam, all questions adhere to the following standards:
Multiple-choice questions in the exam provide four options with only one correct answer. These questions assess your ability to recognise key concepts, apply knowledge, and eliminate incorrect alternatives.
To answer a multiple-choice question, select the ONE correct answer option using your mouse or keyboard.
Fill in the blank (FIB) question format is used for pharmaceutical calculation questions. For these questions, type your answer in the designated blank space below each question. These calculation questions assess your precision and understanding of core principles.
Please carefully read the instructions for each question to understand how to complete your answer, including the number of decimal places to record. If your answer is not entered as directed, it will be marked incorrect. Please note that each question will have its own specific requirements. You can find detailed guidance on how to submit answers for FIB questions in the sample content for the CAOP® exam.
Additionally, there is an online sample test available on our exam delivery provider’s website that provides examples of how questions will appear in your exam, helping you familiarise yourself with the system before the exam day.
The CAOP® exam uses a scaled scoring system to ensure fairness and consistency across multiple versions of exam forms. The passing score is determined through evidence-based psychometric standard-setting processes involving subject matter experts. This passing score reflects the minimum standard that must be met to successfully pass the CAOP® exam and meet one of the eligibility criteria to apply for limited registration for supervised practice in Australia.
Success is determined by the level of ability or performance compared to this standard, not by comparing performance to other candidates or using a random score. Passing the CAOP® exam depends on your overall performance across the entire exam. You must meet the passing standard set for your randomly allocated exam form to pass the CAOP® exam.
We collaborate with psychometricians to undertake robust analysis of scoring and exam standards to maintain the reliability and validity of CAOP® exam results. Of the 70 questions in the CAOP® exam, 90% are ‘scored’ questions that count towards your result, while 10% are ‘unscored’ questions. This means they are included in the exam for calibration and testing, but do not count towards your result.
Unscored questions will cover any content area of the exam, but they will not count towards the target percentage of questions for any content area. Unscored questions are evenly distributed across all five content areas. You will not be made aware which of your questions are scored, and which are unscored.
This video explains how we use psychometric and evidence-based techniques to develop reliable, valid and fair exams for all APC candidates. Understanding our exam design may help you in your preparation.
To protect the security and integrity of our assessments, we do not share the questions and answers from your exam attempt(s). Additionally, we do not disclose raw scores or percentages of your exam results, as they do not accurately reflect the difficulty of the questions or whether the exam standard was met.
We will provide you with a result report that indicates whether you met the overall standard or were unsuccessful.
The result release date for each session is available on our website. You will receive an email notification once your exam result is available and information on how to access it.
Exam results are not subject to review. If you feel your exam performance was negatively affected by an incident or administrative procedure, you can find more information on the options available to you in our Appeals policy.
If you do not pass the exam you may apply to sit another exam session. You will be required to register and pay the exam fee for each exam attempt, and to re-sit the full exam.
To help you prepare for the CAOP® exam, we provide 1 official sample paper that you can download.
The sample paper contains questions to help you practise. These questions are no longer used, but they'll help you understand:
If you want to practise the sample paper under exam conditions, you'll need to answer all 70 questions in 120 minutes (2 hours).
Download sample content (13 pages PDF)
Our exam provider, Pearson, offers an online sample test to experience the exam software before your exam day.
The content of our exams is based on the latest information, which you can find in relevant:
Ensure you are utilising up-to-date and evidence-based resources to guide your preparation.
Please note that APC does not endorse any CAOP® exam preparation programs or offerings.
We encourage you to explore official professional organisations for Australian or New Zealand pharmacists to support your professional development and enhance your readiness to practice. These organisations include:
We wish you all the best with your exam preparations.
You will receive emails from us as you progress in your journey. We do ask that you check and read our emails carefully.
Please contact us if you have any further questions; we’re here to help.
Email us at info@pharmacycouncil.org.au
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