Master the KAPS Exam Syllabus

Introduction to KAPS Exam

The Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam is a critical milestone for pharmacists aiming to practice in Australia. Administered by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), the KAPS exam assesses your understanding of pharmaceutical sciences to ensure you are equipped to practice safely and effectively in an Australian setting.

Elite Expertise is here to guide you through the KAPS exam syllabus, providing insights and resources to help you succeed. This blog will outline the subject areas covered in the KAPS exam, offering you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect and how to prepare.

Exam Format

The KAPS exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, divided into two 2-hour sessions with a 60-minute break between papers. The exam is closed-book, meaning no printed or handwritten reference materials are allowed. Before the exam starts, you will have 15 minutes to familiarize yourself with the exam software and 5 minutes at the end to complete a survey.

Distribution per Content Area

The KAPS exam is divided into two papers

Paper 1: Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Physiology

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry (30%)

• Physiology and Pharmacology (70%)

Paper 2: Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics

• Pharmaceutics (30%)

• Therapeutics (70%)

Exam Scoring

To pass the KAPS exam, you must achieve at least 50% in all subsections of the exam. This means you need a minimum of 50% in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology, Pharmaceutics, and Therapeutics. You will receive your results approximately two weeks after sitting the exam.

Content Areas for the KAPS Exam

Paper 1: Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Physiology

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry

  • Nomenclature

  • Drug class recognition

  • Reaction types

  • Functional group reactivity

  • Drug stability

  • Acid-base reactions

  • Stereochemistry

  • Optical activity

  • Geometric isomerism

  • Conformation

• Physical and Inorganic Chemistry

  • Kinetics

  • Phase equilibria

• Analytical Chemistry

  • Spectroscopy

  • Redox reactions

  • Assay techniques

  • Diagnostic agents

• Biochemistry

  • Biochemical classes

  • Thermodynamics

  • Biochemical pathways

  • Structure-Activity Relationships

  • Relationship between a chemical or 3D structure and its biological activity

• Medicinal Chemistry

  • Drug formulation and stability

  • Drug metabolism

  • Mechanism of drug action

  • Modern drug development

  • Absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs

Pharmacology and Physiology

• Biochemical Pharmacology

  • Principles of drug action

  • Drug interactions

  • Receptor pharmacology

  • Autonomic transmission

  • Endocrine pharmacology

  • Cardiovascular pharmacology

  • Anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics

  • Antibiotics

  • Diuretics

  • Local and general anaesthetics

  • Vitamins

  • Drugs affecting nutritional and metabolic function

  • Drugs affecting the central nervous system

• Systemic Pharmacology

  • The mechanism of drug action as it relates to specific organs and disease states

• Chemotherapy

  • Antibacterial drugs

  • Antiviral drugs

  • Antifungal drugs

  • Antiprotozoal drugs

  • Anthelmintic drugs

  • Anticancer drugs

• Toxicology

  • Common side effects

  • Signs of toxicity

  • Mechanism of toxicity

• Pathophysiology

  • Alteration of physiological processes by drugs or disease states

• General Physiology

  • Normal bodily functions including the central nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems, and their integration

  • Blood and other body fluids

Paper 2: Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics

Pharmaceutics

• Physical Pharmacy

  • Solvents

  • Types of preparation

  • Solutions

  • Suspensions

  • Emulsions

• Biopharmaceutics

  • Dissolution

  • Drug absorption

  • Bioavailability and bioequivalence

  • Drug interactions with a biopharmaceutical basis

• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

  • Biological half-life

  • Elimination rate constants

  • Apparent volume of distribution

  • Clearance

  • Steady state considerations

  • Drug protein binding

  • Drug metabolism

  • Drug interactions

  • Pharmacogenetics

  • Relevant calculations

• Pharmaceutical Microbiology

  • Preservation

  • Antimicrobial agents

  • Sterilisation technology

• Formulation

  • Formulation of drugs for various routes of administration

  • Parenteral dose forms

  • Controlled release preparations

  • Evaluation of particular dose forms

• Dose Forms, Including Extemporaneous Preparation

  • Drug products

  • Constituent drug substances

  • Combination compounded products for use via various routes of administration

Therapeutics

• Calculations

  • Dilutions

  • Percentages

  • Densities

  • Sensitivity of balance

  • Proportions

  • Isotonicity

  • Milliequivalents and milliosmoles

  • Buffers

  • Dose calculations from body weight or surface area

• Stability

  • Posology and Dose Determinations

  • Appropriate dosages of common medications

  • Dosage regimens of common medications

• Medicine Choice

  • Demonstrating an understanding of the clinical processes used for choosing the most appropriate drug for the presenting patient and their condition

• Surgical Dressings, Applications, and Associated Drug Delivery Systems

  • Drug choices for surgical dressings

  • The use of and choices for surgical dressings

• Adverse Reactions to Drugs

  • Adverse reactions for drugs

  • Relevant patient counselling and advice

• Drug Interactions

  • Drug interactions

  • Relevant patient counselling and advice

• Drug Information

  • Using information sources to find drug and health information relevant to conditions and disease states

• Managing Minor Ailments

  • Non-prescription prescribing

  • Diagnosing minor illness

  • Rational over-the-counter product selection

  • Over-the-counter drug information

Preparing for the KAPS Exam

Preparation is key to success in the KAPS exam. Elite Expertise recommends a structured study plan that includes:

• Reviewing the Exam Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the content areas and distribution.

• Practice with Sample Papers: Take advantage of available sample papers to get a feel for the exam format and types of questions.

• Regular Study Sessions: Consistent study sessions will help reinforce your knowledge and understanding.

• Joining Study Groups: Collaborate with peers to discuss challenging topics and share resources.

• Utilizing Reliable Resources: Refer to the latest journals, publications, and textbooks for up-to-date information.

Conclusion

Passing the KAPS exam is a significant achievement that opens doors to practicing as a pharmacist in Australia. By understanding the exam format, content areas, and preparation strategies, you can increase your chances of success. Elite Expertise is dedicated to supporting you through this journey with expert guidance and resources.

For more information and personalized assistance, visit our website and explore our range of services designed to help pharmacists excel in their careers.

Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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Arief Mohammad

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