On this #successstory we’re catching up with Marwa Moawia again after 3 years from her taking the IELTS course and exam.
On this chat, she shared some great tips for the exam and told us how she utilised her IELTS certificate and where life has taken her so far.
Tell us about the first time you sat for the IELTS exam and why?
The first time I sat my IELTS was in 2015, it was a requirement for my PLABs exam as evidence of English Language. As I've mentioned before in my initial video, the PLAB is a medical licensing exam which is essential for me to be able to practice medicine in the UK.
How many times did you sit for the exam? Tell us about your progress and what you did differently each time.
I've sat the exam 3 times. The first time was slightly overwhelming from a time-keeping perspective. The first time was alright, I felt like I was prepared but not 100% confident. I did not get the score I needed in the writing task. The second time was a breeze, I was not stressed at all and I had better time keeping and got the score that I needed. The third time was purely because I needed it for my visa, I had to specifically do the UKVI one.
The final one required an overall score of 4 so I was not too worried, funny enough I got the highest score. I can't find the latest one unfortunately. I got a couple of 9s from what I remember.
What made you decide to take the IELTS preparation course?
This is a funny story, I was not intending on taking the course on the basis that English was basically my first language as we grew up speaking it in our household. In school we were not allowed to speak Arabic outside of Arabic classes either.
Furthermore, I got the highest score on my English IGCSEs. Therefore, I thought I was competent. It was my mom and dad who were persistent about me taking the course. I was worried that it would not fit into my busy schedule as I was working two jobs at the time.
How did the British Council IELTS prep course help you? Talk us through how you were able to identify your challenges (was it writing/ speaking/ listening or reading) how you improved?
Taking the course was one of the best decisions I made. I quickly learned that as essential as it was to have a good grasp of the English language, I also needed to understand the skill behind getting the score I needed. It simply was not enough.
My teacher was Abeer. She recognised that quickly and sat me aside to understand why I was taking the exam and where I struggled the most - writing. We worked many hours polishing that skill.
I can talk the back legs off a horse that is not a problem at all haha, the other tasks were quite straightforward.
I read many passages from IELTS takers from around the world to understand what it is exactly that I was doing wrong in my passages.
What was your biggest challenge in scoring your desired band and how did you overcome it?
Definitely my attention. I have such a short attention span. Keeping focused on the main goal and having come so close to it the first time gave me the drive to work that much harder to achieve my goal.
Also Abeer is the best cheerleader, could not let her down, she had so much faith in me!
What was your goal, and did you reach it?
Practicing medicine in the UK has always been the end goal for me. IELTS was one of the main stepping stones that I helped me reach it !
In the UK IELTS almost always a requirement as a proof English, rightly so in my opinion. As it tests all the main areas of good understanding of the language. Individuals need to be able to understand, speak and listen.
What would you tell future test takers?
I would advise that they explore their options, learn more about the exam before taking it as well as keeping in mind the validity of the certificate. That was the reason why many end up resitting the exam.
I would also encourage them to take the course as this exam is mainly about skills more than it is about language.
What tips do you have for the young doctors of Sudan?
Do not be a product of your environment, let Good Medical Practice guide you to make informed medical and ethical decisions in your practice.
Unfortunately, the norm in Sudan is to be indifferent and just scrape-by, by doing the bare minimum. Try not to set that standard for you junior colleagues. Think about yourself, your nearest and dearest as your patients, how would you like them to be treated? Let your ambitions poke through the bubble you are confined in and keep striving for more. It is so fulfilling accomplishing goals!
Anything else you would like to share?
Stay positive, failure is a step towards success.
When you project that positive energy it always comes back, so be kind and treat people how you would like to be treated and you will definitely lead a happy successful life.
Watch the video Marwa was featured on.
Access IELTS free online materials.