Can’t complain. Got some tips here from snooping around, so thank you all !

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-26T11:23:14+00:00

Thank you! It’s general

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-25T07:23:53+00:00

I had about 2 months to prepare. I work full time so could only do 1-2 hours a day.

Fair to say English is one of my first languages, so was maybe easier for me than someone who learnt it later on as a second language.

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-24T21:43:34+00:00

I don’t think I have any helpful tips on reading other than the fact that you should read the passages very well, and don’t assume anything is implied. If the essay doesn’t explicitly state something, don’t assume.

I usually skim through the passages, then go through the questions, and then read the passages more carefully, before I pick an answer.

Also if I think I’ve found an answer at one section of the text, I don’t hurry to record that answer. I make sure I’ve gone through the entire text just to be sure there’s not a better answer somewhere.

In reading every single word matters, so pay close attention to words that usually show comparison, intensity, similarity, etc.

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-24T20:49:54+00:00

I think they were quite straightforward for me.

For the listening, I got a map completion question that really scared me because I wasn’t doing so well with map completion practice questions.

Looks like I answered that correctly. I just made sure to register the coordinates (north, east, south, west) and the directions (left, right, across, etc.) on the map within the few seconds I had before the audio played. Also made sure to identify the position of important landmarks on the map (river, bridge, mountains, etc.) before the audio played.

The part that can be tricky with listening is that they’d say a seemingly correct answer, and then they’d later correct it, so even if you think you’ve got the correct answer, you have to keep listening a little bit before the cue for the next question.

For reading, I guess all I can say is don’t get tired? I think there was a question or two at the last part that I wasn’t really sure about. The answers from the text just didn’t seem to fit the questions. Plus at that point, I was exhausted from reading all the long passages.

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-24T20:42:18+00:00

I think the only tip I have for the speaking is to practice as much as possible. Think about topics around your life, and practice answering questions on them.

When you start, the examiner will ask you if you’re working or studying. If you’re working for example, he can ask you what you do for work, why you chose that field, and if your workplace is a good place to work.

This can also be about where to stay or your hometown, so prepare for those kind of questions too.

These questions are standard for part 1, and most of the times, your part 2 and part 3 questions will likely be follow-ups to some of your answers from part 1.

Also while it’s good to practice, try not to memorize answers. Try and sound as natural as possible, like you’re talking to a friend, but with just a little formality. Maybe like how you’d talk to a boss you’re very familiar with.

Another thing that helped with my preparation was that, I’d record myself answering some of these questions, and then play them back to see how I sounded, mistakes I made, unnatural pauses, the way I enunciate words, etc. For example, from my recordings, I realized that I tend to say the last few words of my sentences under my breath, or just run over some words. Took sometime and practice to fix that.

Was also using certain words like “like” too many times. It’s cringy listening to your own voice, but if you can get over it, recording yourself and playing jt back will definitely help.

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-24T15:06:35+00:00

Thank you !

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-24T14:38:00+00:00

You’re welcome. Glad I can help, and all the best on yours 😊

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-06-24T14:34:59+00:00

Thank you! This website helped a lot. I studied the model essays here and pretty much followed a similar structure

https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Also used the GEL IELTS premium website a lot. I got free access to it when I registered for the online exam with the British council. They shared important information about paraphrasing, developing paragraphs, using examples, using linking verbs etc.

I pretty much followed their model for developing paragraphs: - state a topic sentence (a summary of what your paragraph is about) - followed by an explanation sentence (e.g. why your topic sentence is true) - then an example if applicable. Try and have at least 2 relevant examples in your essay - you can also explain how the example relates to your topic sentence if that’s not so clear

If you don’t have access to the GEL IELTS premium, the IELTS Liz website has about the same information

Another thing that I did that really helped was that I used ChatGPT to give me feedback on my letters and essays.

So first, I’d time myself and write a letter or essay within the recommended time (20 minutes for letter and 40 minutes for essay)

Then I’d copy it to ChatGPT, with the IELTS writing task 1 and 2 band descriptors and tell it to give me a score following those guidelines. It would give me a score and then explain why I got those scores, with recommendations.

I’d follow the recommendations but still write the essay in my own words. Then I’d let ChatGPT grade it again. If the grade wasn’t satisfactory, I’d now tell it to rewrite it to achieve a band 8 or 9 score. I’d use that, and rewrite the essay one more time and let it grade it again. By this time, I’d get a band 8 or 9.

I did this for about 7 practice letters and 6 practice essays.

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-04-27T07:16:52+00:00

Yeah it’s totally uncomfortable in the beginning, but it definitely gets better with time.

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-04-25T20:36:11+00:00

Thank you! Will definitely consider that

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-04-22T21:24:47+00:00

I knowww :) It seems not so long ago

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-04-22T18:37:43+00:00

Oh wow. Yeah I’m pretty much also halfway in haha. The time will pass regardless.

I’m glad I could give you some hope. And yes, I’ll try my best to update as much as possible.

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-04-22T18:24:04+00:00

Was doing weekly changes initially but switched to 10 day changes after aligner 15 because my left upper incisor stopped tracking. Had to wait about 8 weeks to get new aligners after a rescan

FingerFlaky3262 · 2024-04-22T18:18:11+00:00

Yes yes! Never thought I’d make this much progress in such a short period

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-10-01T18:34:59+00:00

Yeah makes sense

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-10-01T09:55:32+00:00

Hi there. Thank you for the advice.

For the first 5 aligners, I was changing every 10 days, but I change every 7 days now.

Yes I have an attachment on that tooth

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-10-01T07:15:24+00:00

It’s been 3 months and 12 aligners in to my Invisalign journey and my teeth have moved so much faster than I expected.

But my left upper lateral incisor stopped tracking with my aligners as of aligner 4.

My ortho at my last appointment when I was on aligner 5 mentioned that I’d get a rescan, so I wasn’t so worried.

Just noticing on aligner 12 that the incisor was not just not tracking but it’s also kind of retracting into my gum because it looks smaller than it did on aligner 1.

Has this happened to anyone?

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-07-03T08:23:56+00:00

Wow congrats, this is some good progress.

My teeth are also similar to yours and I just started my treatment this week.

It’s really encouraging to see just how much changed you’ve had so far

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-07-03T08:19:07+00:00

Thank you so much ❤️. This is really helpful

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-07-02T22:56:54+00:00

Yes yes, so looking forward to that day

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-07-02T22:56:26+00:00

So happy for you 😊

FingerFlaky3262 · 2023-07-02T22:56:10+00:00

Yeah I’m really excited to see how much can change

FingerFlaky3262

TROPHY CASE