What if you could build a life and career in Dubai as a pharmacist and achieve it in just one exam? This Pharm.D graduate from Hyderabad did exactly that, clearing the DHA exam in her first attempt. Her journey is proof that with the right preparation, anything is possible.
Meet Dr. Syeda Nimrah Fatima, a Pharm.D graduate from Hyderabad, India. In 2019, she completed her degree from Malla Reddy College of Pharmacy and went on to work as an Assistant Professor. But teaching wasn’t her only dream. With encouragement from her husband and family, she prepared for the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Pharmacist exam and cleared it with flying colours on her first attempt.
How did she take a big leap? What was the motivation?
Like many young pharmacists, Dr. Nimrah faced a dilemma: continue in academics, move into industry, clinical research, or try her luck abroad?
“I was really confused,” she recalls. “I enjoyed teaching, but I also wanted to explore the clinical side of pharmacy. My husband motivated me to write the DHA exam, and that’s where the journey began.”
Understanding the DHA Exam
For context, the DHA Pharmacist exam is a three-hour test with 150 multiple-choice questions. The passing score is 60%. What makes it unique is that it’s clinically oriented. This means it’s not just about theory. You need to know how to apply pharmacy knowledge in real-life scenarios.
“It’s not a mugging-up exam,” Dr. Nimrah explains. “You need to think like a pharmacist. How will you handle a case? How will you apply pharmacotherapy in real situations? That’s what matters.”
Six Months of Serious Preparation
Unlike many candidates who rush into booking the exam, Dr. Nimrah waited until she was fully confident. She dedicated 5–6 months exclusively to preparation.
“I revised everything two or three times,” she explains. “Making my own notes helped a lot. The DHA exam only allows limited attempts, and if you fail, there’s a cooling period of one year. So I didn’t want to take a risk. I only booked the exam once I was sure.”
The Role of Family Support
Every success story has its backbone. Hers is family. Dr. Nimrah is a mother, and balancing studies with kids wasn’t easy.
“My parents, my mother-in-law, my brother, everyone supported me,” she says with gratitude. “Without their help, I could not have focused on preparation. Managing kids and studies at the same time is impossible without family support.”
How Academically Global Helped
When asked about her preparation strategy, Dr. Nimrah didn’t hesitate to mention Academically Global’s coaching support.
“The AI-adaptive mock tests were a game changer,” she says. “In the actual exam, time is short, and you can’t afford to spend too long on one question. Practising with Academically’s mock exams trained me to think fast and apply concepts correctly.”
She also highlighted the importance of explanations in Academically’s resources:
“It wasn’t just about whether my answer was right or wrong. The explanations helped me understand why an option was correct and why others were wrong. That made all the difference.”
It wasn’t just the tests. Dr. Nimrah also found value in the Discord support group, where doubts could be clarified instantly, and guidance was just a message away.
Smart Use of AI Tools
Apart from Academically’s structured coaching, Nimrah also leaned on technology.
“Sometimes when no one was available, I’d even use different AI tools to clarify concepts,” she laughs. “But I never relied blindly. I always cross-checked with proper explanations.”
Crack the DHA exam on your first attempt and become a pharmacist in Dubai by enrolling in a structured preparation course today.
Golden Advice to Aspiring Pharmacists
Dr. Nimrah’s journey is proof that with the right mix of preparation, practice, and support, the DHA exam is absolutely achievable.
Her advice?
- Build strong basics.
- Focus on clinical application, not just theory.
- Practice mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Don’t rush; book the exam only when you’re ready.
- Most importantly, lean on your support system, whether that’s family, mentors, or coaching.
A Message from the Founder Himself
Dr. Akram Ahmad, Founder of Academically Global, says: “If you’re a pharmacist planning to work abroad, whether in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, or the Middle East. Don’t walk this path alone. We at Academically Global can guide you with everything from dataflow and exam preparation to personalised coaching and AI-powered mock tests. Just like Dr. Nimrah, you too can achieve your dream of working internationally.”
To Conclude With…
Today, Dr. Syeda Nimrah Fatima is not just a pharmacist; she’s an inspiration. From Hyderabad to Dubai, her story shows what’s possible when determination meets the right guidance.
If you’re reading this, maybe it’s your turn next.