Cracking the Australian and New Zealand licensing exams isn’t just about studying harder – it’s about avoiding common pitfalls like poor time management, neglecting high-yield topics, relying too much on memorization instead of clinical application, and skipping regular mock test practice.

Top 5 Common Mistakes:

  1. Poor Time Management
  • Spending too long on one question: Candidates frequently overcommit to complex case studies or calculation-heavy items, draining the time needed to secure marks on easier sections.
  • Not planning section-wise time: Each part of the exam has strict time limits. Without a clear plan, candidates run out of time before completing all tasks.
  • Ignoring reading time: Many rushes into answering without using the initial minutes to scan questions and prioritize.
  • Last-minute preparation: Some candidates don’t pace their study schedule, cramming everything in the final weeks instead of steady practice
  1. Neglecting High-Yield Topics
  • Studying everything equally: Candidates waste time on low-priority areas while ignoring topics that carry more marks.
  • Skipping therapeutics & clinical cases: Many focus only on drug names or mechanisms but neglect patient-centered application (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, asthma management).
  • Ignoring calculations: Dosage, compounding, and dilution problems are high-yield but often avoided due to difficulty.
  • Overlooking communication skills: Counselling scenarios are heavily weighted, yet candidates underestimate their importance.
  1. Over-Reliance on Memorization
  • Cramming drug lists: Candidates try to memorize every drug name, dose, and side effect without understanding how to apply them in patient scenarios.
  • Ignoring guidelines context: They memorize treatment protocols but fail to adapt them to individual patient cases (e.g., age, comorbidities, allergies).
  • Weak in case-based questions: When faced with real-world scenarios, they struggle to connect memorized facts to practical decision-making.
  • Short-term retention only: Information fades quickly because it was never understood deeply, just memorized.
  1. Ignoring Mock Test Practice
  • Not attempting full-length practice exams: Candidates only study notes or short quizzes but never simulate the real exam.
  • Avoiding timed practice: They answer questions casually without a clock, so they don’t build speed or stamina.
  • Skipping OSCE role-play: The OSCE in New Zealand is designed to test real-world application, not just theoretical knowledge. If you only study guidelines and drug facts but don’t rehearse patient interactions, you risk freezing under exam pressure. Many ignore practicing patient counselling or clinical scenarios, which are crucial for passing.
  • Relying only on theory: Candidates assume that knowing the content is enough, without testing themselves under exam conditions.

Risks & Challenges

  • Long preparation timelines: Candidates often underestimate the 12–16 week structured study plan recommended by educators.
  • Stress & burnout: Lack of stress-management strategies leads to poor performance.
  • Policy & syllabus updates: Not keeping up with OPRA exam changes can result in studying outdated material.

Actionable Tips

  • Create a weekly study schedule aligned with the OPRA syllabus.
  • Focus on clinical case practice rather than rote learning.
  • Use mock exams to simulate real conditions.
  • Strengthen English communication skills for counselling and PTE requirements.
  • Track progress with performance reviews every 2-3 weeks.

In short we can state that Success in the Australian and New Zealand pharmacist exams depends less on raw knowledge and more on strategy, communication, and practice under exam conditions. Avoiding these five mistakes can significantly improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.