I was absolutely ecstatic about winning the British Council IELTS Prize! Growing up in a Chinese-speaking household where neither of my parents attended university, winning the Local Grand IELTS Prize gave me a confidence boost in my English language capabilities. With the scholarship, I would now be able to pursue opportunities that I would not otherwise be able to, and it made me realise that great ambitions could stem from humble beginnings. Joy aside, I also feel grateful about winning the IELTS Prize. I fully resonate with IELTS’s commitment to make language learning more approachable, and in particular, its goals to opening doors for underprivileged communities who may not have access to quality English education. I am extremely proud to pursue my postgraduate studies with the support of an organisation, like the British Council, where it actively contributes to the shaping of the education of tomorrow.

I feel humbled and honoured to win the IELTS Prize 2022. In my small city of Borneo, not everyone has the privilege to learn English. I feel proud and fortunate to be able to achieve a good score in IELTS and wish to be able to give back what I received. It is one of my dreams to visit small towns on the outskirts, teaching English to native kids. I imagine myself organizing fun outdoor activities, making English a fun language to learn among children. I hope fluency in English will open many doors for the community in my hometown.

I feel incredibly grateful to have been awarded the IELTS prize. When I first sent in my application, I was hopeful, but did not expect to win. Being called for the interview stage was a pleasant surprise in itself, so, I feel beyond lucky to have won the prize this year. The degree that I chose to pursue is quite an expensive one, therefore, I am excited to be able to slightly lessen the financial burden on my parents by winning this prize. Personally, being awarded the prestigious IELTS prize is a testament to my hard work and dedication over the years and I hope to use this award as motivation to continue excelling as an all rounded individual.

I remember squinting my eyes when I scrolled slowly through the email from British Council Malaysia. I could hear my heart pounding, but I tried to suppress it by murmuring, “it will be okay” to myself. I knew that it would mean the world to my parents if I was able to secure a scholarship. IELTS prize meant more than an additional financial support but a promise that I will strive for excellence in my studies to my parents. I feel incredibly honored to win the IELTS Prize. I will always remember the warmth feeling of seeing my hard work translates into my parent’s smiles.

First, the British Council Malaysia team was really prompt in replying to my emails about information on IELTS Prize. This made the process of equipping myself with the knowledge of the application process significantly easier. IELTS Prize’s requirements focus on the aspiration and potential of an individual instead of limiting the selection pool.

British Council Malaysia team is highly responsive and accessible throughout my interaction with them. I managed to get an in-person consultation about how to prepare for the IELTS test. The staff members were so helpful on giving advice and guidance about the standardized test. This gave me confidence that the process of taking IELTS with British Council will be smooth.

Universities application can take a toll on students’ minds as we need to juggle academics and curriculum at the same time. My sister recommended me to take IELTS as it is recognized by institutions from most of the countries. I was able to use my IELTS result for both applications for Canada and UK universities.

I recommend anyone that is taking the IELTS test to access their own ability as soon as possible. For example, take a mock IELTS test online using the online resources provided on British Council website. Based on the assessment, you can improve on your weaker sections by doing more targeted practices. During the test, you can also go through your weaker sections slowly with more care. This reduces the chance of careless mistakes being made.

As for the oral test, I strongly advice the candidates to focus on what you are trying to convey instead of the articulation itself first. To put it simply, what you are trying to say matters way more than how you are saying it.

Academic plans – My first term in UBC have recently ended in December. It was a challenging term as I had to tackle multiple courses while adapting to this new environment. I am fortunate enough to have a hybrid model of classes on campus. Frankly, I have been so focused on completing tasks and learning that I didn't even realize four months have passed since I first started university. I have met and learnt from so many great minds that I can foresee doing something spectacular in the future.

Personal plans – British Columbia is a beautiful place. The Vancouver sky simply amazes me every single day. I love the way the pink clouds melt into the soft blue sky. I enjoy pausing from work just to admire the surroundings around me. I plan to participate in more outdoor activities to enjoy the views around me to the fullest.

Winning the IELTS Prize has definitely given me the boost of confidence and encouragement I needed to pursue my masters. Being a full-time mother, I did at certain times have doubts and thought that it might be too late for me to pursue my academic and professional aspirations, but the IELTS Prize has reaffirmed me that it is never too late to chase your ambitions. I’m excited for what the future holds and grateful for the opportunity to embark on this journey. I’m glad I decided to submit my entry despite initial hesitations. Indeed, sometimes all you need to do is take the first step.

The great thing about the IELTS Prize is that it is open to everyone irrespective of age, race, academic background, or country of study. If the institution accepts IELTS as its English language qualification, you’re good to go! Seeing that it is one of the most recognized English proficiency certifications worldwide, there are hardly any restrictions on where and what you want to study. Apart from that, the application process was relatively quite simple. To be honest, I quite enjoyed writing about my chosen place of study during the application. It gave me insight on things beyond the scope of academics alone and has truly opened my eyes to all the great things that London has to offer.

IELTS is one of the most globally recognized English proficiency tests worldwide. With IELTS, I wouldn’t have to worry about having to take another different English test for the different institutions I was applying to. Apart from that, the targeted approach towards the different elements; listening, reading, speaking, and writing allowed me to further evaluate which areas needed improvement. It enabled me to reflect on specific aspects that I was relatively weaker in and focus more on those areas during my preparation. This has not only been beneficial for the exam but has helped me tremendously in my studies as well by highlighting my strengths and weaknesses and what needs to be improved on when completing university assignments.

When I discovered that the British Council was offering computer-delivered IELTS tests, I was elated! Not only was it more flexible and convenient, but I could also get my results quicker too. Upon signing up, the British Council provided a lot of free online learning material and practice exercises which helped me a lot in my IELTS preparation. The mock exam was also very useful in giving me a feel of how the exam would be and familiarizing myself with the online exam format. In my opinion, these were the ‘little extras’ offered by the British Council which truly goes a long way.

Be well prepared, be confident and be optimistic! It is important that you familiarize yourself with the format for all the four different components as this would greatly help you in approaching the different tests. Once you’re familiar with the format, it becomes a lot easier to anticipate what and how to answer the questions. Do a timed trial run so you could get a feel of the pace going through the reading and writing sections. For the speaking test, practice speaking with friends and take turns giving each other topics to talk about to develop fluency and coherence. Again, time yourself so you get an idea of how much and how long you’re expected to speak on a particular topic.

Academic plans: As my course is a full-time, semi-clinical program, the year is fully packed with lectures, tutorials, and coursework. I am currently in the middle of end-of-term exams and getting my research project started. My research topic is centered around women’s health, and I hope this will enable me to benefit the community in the long run. It’s a lot of work but its also a lot of fun! I have access to all the leading journals and publications worldwide and I plan to fully utilize that while I’m here. There is also a multitude of free online webinars available to me as a student and I look forward to hearing leading experts elaborate on subjects within their field of expertise. 

Personal plans: The many parks and squares here have long been coined the 'Lungs of London'. It's amazing to see that despite being one of the busiest cities in the world, London still manages to maintain its greenery. I enjoy running and Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are my top go-to running routes. I’m looking forward to running along the Thames River and across the Tower Bridge while enjoying the picturesque sights. Apart from that, the abundant museums in London are also a joy to discover! On top of admissions being free of charge, there are always new displays and exhibitions to explore. There’s never a dull moment and always something new at every turn.

Winning the IELTS Prize was a huge honour and I am so proud to be able to represent my country internationally. I know that there are many young people like me out there who have dreams as big as mine, if not bigger, and it is a privilege to be able to show them what is possible if they really put their minds to it. I hope that my achievements will pave the way for others like me to be confident in their abilities and pursue their ambitions without fear because I have so much faith in future generations of Malaysians.

The IELTS Prize was simply the most logical step forward in my education journey. Taking the exam was the last hurdle in the long and arduous process of applying to university, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to showcase my potential in an authentic way. Furthermore, the positive effects of the IELTS Prize were clear to see, with so many students benefiting from the support that they earned through this process. I resonated with the goals and values of past winners, who were all passionate about helping other people through their overseas experiences, and this encouraged me to apply.

I chose to take the IELTS examination with the British Council because of their remarkable reputation in the education sector. My parents, and even my grandparents, are aware of the work that they have been doing for decades. I felt it was important to do the exam with an organisation that is able to support its students effectively, and there are very few that boast the same level of experience and professionalism as the British Council. I had faith in this precedent so I made a choice that I believed would give me the best shot at success and I was right.

Aside from being what I perceive to be the most widely-accepted English proficiency test out there, I was also drawn to this particular exam because of the straightforward nature of its structure. The sections and question types are very well-organised which made it easy to understand the format of the test. This, in turn, allowed me to focus on the actual content and my revision. It was clear that great care was taken to ensure that the test itself was intuitive and consistent. I appreciate this because it guarantees that the playing field is equal for everyone, regardless of your background or history.

My advice to prospective IELTS students would be to practise as much as you can. Though the questions may seem simple, one must remember that effective communication is not a skill that can be mastered without concerted effort. When attempting sample questions or mock tests, it is important to be as precise as possible. Even native speakers can make mistakes if they are not careful, so attention to detail is the key to success. Make sure to read every question and passage, one word at a time, and have faith in yourself when the time comes to sit for the exam. You will be ready.

My course is mostly in-person, so I have been trying to get involved in as many activities as possible. I’ve been attending workshops and seminars when I can to get as much out of the student experience as possible. Aside from that, I am working on my own personal growth - I’ve found new hobbies and rediscovered old ones in an attempt to keep myself grounded during these uncertain times, and I have been voted onto the committee of the English and Creative Writing Society at my university. These days, I try my best to surround myself with things that make me happy; music, friends, and nature.

I am absolutely elated about receiving the IELTS Prize. It is an immense privilege to receive this award, and it means the world to me to know that a prestigious organization like British Council believes in the dreams I have for myself and is willing to support me in my future endeavours.

I applied for the IELTS prize because I found it to be one of the fairest scholarships available to students, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, courses and institutions alike. Moreover, after reading many online articles about past IELTS Prize winners, it became rather obvious to me that the British Council were a truly incredible organization to be affiliated with and that they would be support my learning in ways that transcend just financial help.

I chose to take the IELTS with British Council as it was quite clearly the most accessible organization, particularly in Malaysia, to take the IELTS with. Moreover, I thought it morally obligatory to support an organization like British Council that are part of so many great initiatives like “Connecting Classrooms” which increase the access to education for so many underprivileged students across the world.

The IELTS is without a doubt the gold standard when it comes to tests that measure English proficiency. As a result of this, the IELTS test immediately presented itself to me as my best opportunity at accessing economic and social structures from a wide variety of places around the globe.

I think, as with any other test, it requires hard work and dedication to do well in. Any aspiring IELTS test takers should ensure that they put in as much effort as they possibly can in the IELTS test and to not take doing well in it for granted. Moreover, I think all who intend to do an IELTS test should try a few practice tests to be able to find out specifically where their weaknesses lie.

It is a hybrid model at the moment whereby lectures are held online but tutorials, which are classes that take place in groups of 2 to 3, will be held physically. However, students can apply for a residency exemption due to extenuating circumstances which essentially allows the student to take classes fully online for the first semester. I currently intend to apply for a residency exemption after my results come out and thus plan on going to the Oxford campus in the UK in January.

Winning the IELTS Prize has certainly filled my heart with overflowing joy and excitement. I am beyond grateful to the British Council for giving me this incredible opportunity to pursue my undergraduate studies at a top UK university of my choice. The IELTS Prize has certainly reduced the financial burden that comes with studying abroad, and continues to propel me towards fulfilling my future aspirations of making a positive impact within Malaysia through the expertise I gain from a degree in Economics and Sustainable Development.

Unlike many other scholarships, the IELTS Prize is extremely unique as it welcomes applicants, regardless of their socio-economic background, university destination (as long as it accepts IELTS as an admissions requirement) and choice of degree course. Taking the IELTS and scoring a minimum band score of 6 is the only main requirement to apply for the scholarship. Whilst other scholarship awarding bodies were limiting in the nature of the courses one had to study and the university one applied to, the IELTS prize accommodated my choice of pursuing a ‘new age’ course within the field of Humanities at the University of Warwick. This made applying for the IELTS Prize the perfect option for an individual like myself.

Given the outstanding reputation of the British Council, not just in Malaysia but globally, I felt comfortable taking IELTS with this internationally recognised organisation. Moreover, the fact that the British Council had also been highly recommended by the English teachers at my sixth form college as a trusted IELTS testing centre, I knew it was the obvious choice. My personal experience with the application process for the IELTS tests were simple and straightforward, allowing me to prepare for the test worry-free. Furthermore, the actual test day and subsequent results day were extremely well organised, making my overall experience a positive one.

Taking IELTS was the evident choice for me as my sixth form college only provided us with support for this specific English proficiency test. This is largely due to the fact that the majority, if not all, universities in the UK showed that English language proficiency was an admissions requirement for most international students, and IELTS was the most common benchmark for assessing this skill. In addition, I felt that the four main components of IELTS (reading, listening, writing and speaking) would be able to give me an accurate gauge of my English proficiency, and show me exactly which component I should further improve on.

Whether you are a native or non-native speaker, I believe that practice is key to acing the IELTS test. With an abundance of free IELTS resources available online, and even on the British Council website, there are so many ways for test takers to prepare and get used to the IELTS testing format. Apart from practice papers, I also recommend reading and analysing texts from an array of sources to improve your analytical skills, which I believe is very helpful for the writing section of the test. For non-native speakers, I would like to encourage you to start speaking to different people about different topics of interest in English. This will make a huge difference in boosting your confidence and improving the articulation of your spoken English.

The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly increased the level of uncertainty with regards to studying abroad. However, I continue to have a positive outlook on the situation and hope to proceed with my plan of moving to the Warwick campus by the end of September to start my course in Economics and Global Sustainable Development. Hybrid models of teaching have been introduced by Warwick for my chosen course. Hence, I anticipate having a mixture of online lectures and in-person seminars for when class sizes are below 25. Overall, I am deeply excited to start this new chapter of my life. With the expertise and insights gained from an overseas higher-education experience, I will be better equipped to make a positive mark within my local Malaysian community once I return.

When I received the email, I was pleasantly surprised. From scoring a band of 8.5, the IELTS has not only boosted my confidence in my English proficiency, now adding winning the IELTS Prize into the experience, I felt some weight is lifted off my shoulder as the prize will greatly help me in furthering my studies abroad.

Unlike other scholarships, the IELTS Prize is not restrictive in its eligibility criteria. The prerequisites to the IELTS Prize are to simply sit for the IELTS, achieve a satisfactory test result and you’re eligible to apply for the prize. Whilst the typical scholarship may require the student to study at a specific destination or institution, the IELTS Prize allows students the freedom of choice in their study destination, so long as their education institute accepts the IELTS as proof of English language proficiency in its application process.

I was first introduced to the British Council through their Dreams and Teams program at my primary school when I was 10 years old. From then, I was more aware of the British Council’s long history and presence as a cultural and language entity in Malaysia and in over a hundred countries. Notably, the IELTS by the British Council has 40 years of experience as a widely accepted English proficiency test, hence making it one of the most credible and recognizable test for English proficiency in the world.

After I graduated from my bachelors, I looked into furthering my studies at universities known for innovation and sustainability. Most of these prestigious universities offer English-taught courses which cater to international students, and in most of their requirements, I frequently see the IELTS listed as the preferred choice as proof of English language proficiency.

Furthermore, I also looked into other English proficiency tests before deciding on taking the IELTS, but what reeled me in was the quick and simple registration process, the easy to navigate online registration platform, and the flexible test dates which gave me a choice of weekdays or weekends and allowed me sufficient time to practice. At the time of my registration, the IELTS also came with complimentary practice materials, such as the Road to IELTS online course and the practice booklet which really helped cover the IELTS for a complete beginner like me.

I would advise test takers to shed some more focus on their weak points in the IELTS, which they will mostly realize after taking enough practice tests. For instance, I realized I am quite weak in the IELTS Listening and Reading tests after practicing several papers. Hence, I spared more time practicing on these parts of the IELTS so I can better familiarize with the question structures.

Nonetheless, remember not to neglect practicing the other parts in the IELTS, even the papers we are confident in. Since the IELTS evaluates students based on the 4 core aspects in communication, namely Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, to ace the IELTS requires mastery in all 4 aspects.

I am currently enrolled for the MSc course at TU Munich for the 2020/2021 academic year, and seeing that the current pandemic situation in Germany is somewhat more stable now, I plan to travel to the TU Munich campus by the end of October 2020.

However, if worse comes to worst, the university has permitted international students to attend hybrid classes, in which I can study fully online or attend physical classes when I can. I understand that online classes may be hard to adapt to for many students and even lecturers, but due to my past experience in studying at an open-distance university that applied the hybrid model that came equipped with a virtual learning environment (VLE), I believe I will have no problem adjusting myself to any means of studying.

I was humbled beyond words when I knew that I had won the IELTS Prize. I worked hard to win a prize, and it is fulfilling to be told that my efforts paid off! This has undoubtedly given me renewed confidence in my English language proficiency.

Pursuing MA in Illustration has been a personal dream. For many years I felt a deep desire to expand my horizons and to seek engaging experiences with international creatives; what held me back most was my financial capabilities. Furthering my studies in the arts often felt more like a wish and not a need; though as the years go by, it has become clear that visual arts have a growing importance in sparking positive change in Malaysia. Winning the IELTS Prize has given me the much-needed boost to strike forth with courage and develop my personal artistic narrative.

I have great faith in spreading positivity through creativity. To me, it is a way to forge strong bonds among people, bridging generation gaps and bringing nations together. I look forward to sharing my experiences in the UK with my fellows in Malaysia and encouraging them to develop their pursuits.

Many scholarships that I looked into were available to applicants pursuing a specific course or field––but arts was not one of them. I found it challenging to find suitable scholarships that were open to the visual arts in particular. The IELTS Prize is open to all fields of study, which was the main driving force for my application. I was pleasantly surprised at how organised and courteous everyone in the selection process was. They treated me with the utmost fairness and friendliness. I was very comfortable in sharing my thoughts, hopes and dreams with the interview panel during the selection process and I was never made to feel inferior or unwelcome in any way.

The IELTS test experience is very new to me, as I have not done an English language proficiency test before. The British Council made the IELTS test experience a very accessible one, beginning with the registration, right up to the collection of results. The examination dates were convenient for a working professional like myself, and I found ample material to prepare for my test on the IELTS and British Council websites. The test itself was well structured with clear indicators of how test-takers would be assessed. Combined with the guidance and revision materials provided, I had a clear indication of what was expected from each section. The writing test was the most challenging section for me by far; however I felt better prepared having practised with the sample questions and then reviewing with the model answers online.

The overall experience on the day of the test was good too. I knew exactly what to do from the clear instructions provided by the British Council invigilators, assistants and personnel. Receiving my results was a simple, fuss-free affair as well. I was able to check my results online easily and then collected my certificate from the British Council centre with no issues whatsoever.

IELTS was the first and only English proficiency test that came to mind during my university application. I believe it is because the IELTS test is well-known for its fair assessments as well as its recognition across many universities around the globe. I found the listening test particularly helpful, as it used the different accents in English-speaking countries. Through my practice sessions I learnt to define better the subtle tone and inflexions of each accent, which I am sure will be indispensable during my time in the United Kingdom. I feel that I am now better equipped to interact with different native English speakers and will articulate myself better in their presence.

As a native English speaker, I stress on one important tip: do not take anything for granted. There will always be something new to learn; just because English is your first language does not mean that you are exempted from making the simplest of mistakes. Identify your weakest areas and allocate more time to improve them. For non-native speakers, I would advise them to practice reading, writing and speaking English at every opportunity and make opportunities for yourself whenever possible! We all have to start somewhere, and it can only get better with practice. If you find yourself short on time, I recommend starting at the British Council website and doing all the model questions available. I agree that it is essential to know the format that you will be assessed during the IELTS test; familiarising yourself with the test questions and requirements are integral to a good score. I wish every future IELTS test taker the very best!

It is my goal to involve like-minded parties to create a joint scholarship program which will provide the brightest minds of the future from every country in the world with an opportunity to further their studies in the best institutions. This collective venture will award scholarships to the future heads of industries based solely on merit and hone the skills required for leadership and governance. Throughout my tenure as Ambassador and beyond, I intend to meet and connect with a diverse community of peers and academia who share my vision, in the hope that the great minds of the current and subsequent generations can make our world better.

The IELTS Prize provides me with the potential opportunity to work with managing bodies which have a presence globally. In addition, a lucrative aspect of the Prize is the lack of requirement of national examination papers, income bracket of household, or one's ethnicity for its applicants, which almost all other scholarship and sponsorship-awarding bodies require. This alludes to the fact that the traits of the recipients of the Prize that matter most to the Prize committee are merit and personal character, both of which are within the control of the Prize recipients. It was indeed a very straightforward application and interviewing process. Surprisingly, I felt that I had learned more about myself and my goal direction after the interview and subsequent discussion with the panel of interviewers. I enjoyed the entire journey.

From my understanding, the British Council has close ties with many educational institutions, including the College where I studied as I took the IELTS test. Through arrangements with our IELTS teachers, we decided that sitting for the papers through the British Council would be the best choice. Given the pristine reputation of the British Council, I felt assured that the IELTS testing process would be managed well by this organisation. The application process for the tests was effortless, and I could focus solely on the test with ease of mind. The arrangements made for the test and the subsequent results were handled efficiently with no delays. All in all, the experience was a fuss-free one.

Browsing through the admission section of various university websites showed that proficiency in the English language was always a requirement. Looking in detail, the most common metric for assessing this linguistic skill was the IELTS band scores. Intending to be accepted into the top universities of the world, I wanted to take as little risk as possible and so chose the series of tests which were among the most widely accepted and the most convenient to sit for, based on the test dates available.

In the lecture hall, the English language is crucial for the subjects Mathematics and Economics, where complex jargon must be understood and then utilised in mathematical equations for economic modelling. With high English standards a pre-requisite, it is comforting to know that my university studies will not be hampered by any language barrier.

On a personal level, I feel relieved knowing that with such stringent language proficiency standards, I will be better in conversing with peers from all walks of life, which will in turns allow for a greater sharing of ideas and the heightened ability to brainstorm to create something new, together.

Two habits of mine which helped tremendously in the test are reading from a variety of sources and often conversing with others. The IELTS test will assess your ability to interpret and infer material, to think analytically, and to speak with confidence. The most challenging portion of the test for me was the writing component as I had little experience in analytical writing, but visualising the questions as verbal presentations allowed me to answer the questions to a satisfactory degree.

For some, the speaking component may be difficult due to a lack of experience in English conversation with peers. A practical method of improving this would be to talk to different people, even acquaintances, to get firsthand exposure. Most importantly, love the process! As difficult as it may be, understanding English to a high level is a skill which will pay dividends in your personal and professional life.

I was beyond ecstatic to have won the IELTS Prize! I remember walking back from a workshop, having an unscheduled existential crisis and lo and behold, and an email came in that grounded me back to earth. Needless to say, I was skipping my entire way back to the car and admittedly at home, feeling much stronger.

I absolutely love studying! Unfortunately, nowadays, the choice to further your studies often involves innumerable massive decisions here and there due to various financial situations. This is especially true considering that my next plan involves a rather costly transfer to Australia. The financial feasibility of transferring to Australia was the only barrier left for me to solve and to which now I have an answer. The IELTS Prize has undoubtedly removed a significant financial load off my back and placed me one step closer to achieving my dream to be a skilful pharmacist and renowned researcher in the field of pharmacology.

As I intend to pursue my career in the research and education sectors, I plan to use my knowledge and expertise to develop drug types, therapy and delivery, as well as optimise drug use. As a current pharmacy student, the further I traverse through my course, the deeper my fascination with drugs becomes and thus I cannot quite pinpoint my interest to one specific area. However, I do see there is room for development in terms of drugs concerning coronary heart diseases, nervous system disorders and lung diseases, the top killers in Malaysia. In the education sector, I hope to be instrumental in the cultivation of new pharmacists who take pride in our field. We should not be constrained by the boundaries of our profession; we have our roles to play, and I intend to raise that awareness.

IELTS Prize is a prestigious scholarship that does not seek to bind or limit, but rather, it prides itself on being a bridge that offers aid. In comparison to many other scholarships, it attempts to not only unblock the road we have chosen, but it also endeavours to impress a certain sense of comprehension of our potential capacity to reach our end goal. This is evident from the extra mile the organisers went to as they had sent out emails and notifications to eligible candidates inviting them to apply for the scholarship. It is a scholarship that judges based on our ability to integrate ourselves as a person, and how we plan to use our skills to contribute back to society.

The selection process is one of the most transparent ones I have ever encountered. I was very much aware that there was a strict selection process whereby to win, candidates must truly outshine many others in various aspects. But I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying it every step of the way. Following the initial application, the shortlisted candidates were required to participate in an interview alongside a presentation according to the theme given. A week of panicking and brainstorming ensued rapidly, and when the day came, I was astonished by how uncharacteristically comfortable I was talking to the utterly friendly interviewers. It was entirely at odds to the radical cop-like interrogation scenario I had built up in my mind because they genuinely seek to help. I could see the interviewers trying their utmost to allow the candidates to showcase their best.

I had chosen to take IELTS because the structure of the exam covers the complete linguistic sphere and ensures proficiency in reading, speaking, listening and writing. It inculcates the necessary language skills that allow you to fluidly transition into life abroad while building a stable linguistic foundation. The results are accurate and denote the level of proficiency required for you to build yourself a comfortable experience while providing you with an asset to excel in the academics.

I have applied to many top-notch universities in numerous countries for my Pharmacy degree, including those in the UK, Ireland, US, Australia, New Zealand and within my own country, Malaysia. All of the universities I applied to specified IELTS as one of the requirements and as such, I was very much privy to how crucial my IELTS results were. I worked hard to obtain the grades I needed, and it was with these grades that I gained acceptance to the most highly regarded universities in the world for the Pharmacy course including Monash, Australia; UCL, England; Trinity College, Ireland and Otago, New Zealand.

The British Council is an established and trusted examination body. They possess an incredibly long experience in conducting these exams, which has led to very smooth flows of procedures and transitions for the candidates. They organise the exams as such that they can provide exceedingly convenient options for venue and time to suit the candidates’ hectic schedules. On the day itself, the staff did an excellent job of easing me into the atmosphere, kindly answering whatever queries I had. I have never been particularly good with tests, or pressure, or silence, or large crowds of people who were taking tests under pressure in silence. Yet, I walked out of the room feeling ridiculous that I had been terrified of such a delightful test.

I knew the only reason I had felt that way was due to the preparation I had done. The British Council had provided an incredible amount of support in terms of tutorial videos, online materials, books and various tips to ace the exams. I had met some of their staff before and their sincere support and genuine desire to help cemented my opinion that if I wished to take an exam that would determine whether I could enter the university of my dreams, I would like to take it with people who can instil faith in me.

A definite resource to use for IELTS is the abundance of fantastic materials provided by the British Council online! Even for those who are already exceptionally proficient in English, the online materials may serve perhaps as a reminder of grammatical rules not often used or direct you on how to get the best scores in the written exam. If you need something physical to hold, the British Council has provided some magnificent books on how to prepare for IELTS in an impressively compact and comprehensive manner. Up until the last minute possible, speak the language as much as you can! Go out and speak with a friend so that you become more comfortable in expressing yourself in the language. For those who do not have a reading habit, it would be a great time to grab a short book and sit down for a good read. I highly recommend reading some academic literature to those taking the Academic IELTS, to increase familiarity with the language and general reading speed. And lastly, keep going! Keep practising, keep speaking and keep writing because in the end it will be worth it.