Prepare for exam day

Take your exam with confidence

This page will help you prepare for exam day! It covers details relating to:

  • your identification documents (ID)
  • what to bring
  • how to manage technical interruptions.

Haven't registered yet? Learn more about registering for the OPRA™ exam.

Before exam day

Prepare your identification documents

Make sure your personal identification meets requirements.

You'll need to show 2 forms of identification (ID). At least one must be an acceptable form of primary ID from the list below.

Types of acceptable ID

Your IDs must:

  • be valid (not expired)
  • be original, not a photocopy or digital ID
  • be in English or be NAATI translated
  • match the name you used to register for your exam.

They must meet these requirements in order to receive your results:

ID Type

Requirements

Primary ID

This ID document must be issued by your government and contain:

  • your full name
  • your date of birth (DOB)
  • a recognisable photograph
  • your signature.

Types of acceptable primary ID include:

  • international passport
  • government-issued national identity card (with a photo)
  • government-issued citizenship card (with a photo)
  • Australian or New Zealand driver’s licence.

Secondary ID

This ID document must either contain:

  • your name and signature, OR
  • your name and a recognisable photo.

Types of acceptable secondary ID include:

  • debit (ATM) card
  • credit card
  • any document on the primary ID list.

If you do not have an acceptable ID

If you do not have an acceptable primary ID from the country that you're sitting the exam in, use an international travel passport from your country of citizenship.

If you have an issue with any of your ID documents, email us at least 3 business days before the exam to request a pre-approval. For your own security, never send copies or images of your ID documents via email. Only provide in writing:

  1. all names displayed on your ID
  2. the type of ID (e.g. driver's licence, passport)

We accept the following variances with secondary IDs only:

  • Names appear in a different order
  • Middle name/s missing
  • Initial first/middle name/s (for example John A. Doe)

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Check what to bring to the test centre

The OPRA™ exam is 'closed-book'. This means you cannot have any reference materials.

You can bring...

You cannot bring...
  • Any written or reference materials
  • A wristwatch
  • A mobile phone, tablet, or any other electronic device
  • Pens or pencils

Your calculator can be scientific or standard.

  • It cannot have internet.
  • It cannot be capable of text storage.
  • It cannot have camera or video recording.

At your desk, Pearson VUE will provide:

  • an online calculator
  • a whiteboard notebook
  • an erasable marker pen.

These are standard test centre items. A paper and pen cannot be used during your exam to ensure questions and answers are not recorded or shared.

See helpful resources for test-takers // Pearson VUE.

Prepare using our exam guide

Our exam guide covers the OPRA™ exam format, scoring, question content, content areas and provides a sample paper to practise with.

Go to your exam guide.

On exam day

Here are our suggestions for a successful exam day:

  • Be well-rested and eat a meal or snack.
  • Check your IDs - you must have the correct IDs to receive your results.
  • Check your confirmation or reminder email regarding arrival time.
  • Better to arrive too early than too late. Arrive at least 30 min prior to the exam. If you arrive after the scheduled exam time, you will not be able to start your exam.

Ensure to turn your phone off, and check no alarms are set. You will be required to show that your phone is switched off upon arrival.

All items that are not permitted into the exam room will be placed into a locker.

Admission procedures and security checks will be conducted to ensure the security of the exam. They may ask you to:

  • Show your ears
  • Roll up your sleeves
  • Turn out any pockets
  • Run your own hands around your waist and down your legs
  • Take off your glasses for inspection by the supervisor

Please notify the supervisor if you would prefer to have a separate room to conduct the checks.

Structure of your appointment

On exam day, you will have:

  • 5-min to read and agree to the non-disclosure agreement, this includes exam rules
  • 10-minute tutorial prior to the commencement of your exam
  • 2.5 hours to complete the exam - 120 exam questions
  • 5-min at the end of your exam to complete a survey

Breaks

The OPRA™ exam does not have a scheduled break.

If you need an unscheduled break to use the bathroom or have access to water, please raise your hand.

The exam clock will not be paused.

You will need to perform admission procedures and security checks when you return.

What to expect in a Pearson VUE test centre

Technical interruptions

Technical interruptions can occur.

Your Invigilator will attempt to resolve technical issues in real time. If an issue cannot be resolved, the Invigilator will file a case on your behalf. This leads to one of two outcomes, depending on when the issue occurred.

  • Before the exam started: We may move you to another desk or reschedule your exam appointment.
  • At any point after the exam has started: We will reschedule your exam.

Your keystrokes are saved every three seconds to avoid data loss.

Reschedules are actioned within 24 hours, pending availability.

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