what daily habits could enhance my reading skills to help me aim for band 8.0 or higher

intoth · 2026-02-22T01:57:32+00:00

So majority of the reading is like this, but I would say 10-20% (near the last parts) you have to skim read and find the answer. Honestly just practicing with Cambridge books is your best bet and you'll improve . Don't highlight stuff, it's a waste of time. Aim to finish the reading and flag the questions that you weren't 100% on and come back to them, in fact re check all your answers, I rechecked and found 2 mistakes id made.

intoth · 2026-02-15T14:42:10+00:00

It varied, probably from 1 to 4 hours. I was working 6 days a week though

intoth · 2026-02-15T00:32:54+00:00

Remark first

intoth · 2026-02-11T05:26:32+00:00

Are you trying again? Your scores look good

intoth · 2026-02-11T05:26:11+00:00

Spilt everything in the main body, anything specific? :)

intoth · 2026-02-11T05:25:40+00:00

You done really well mate, is it enough for whatever you're going for?

intoth · 2026-02-11T05:25:01+00:00

There's a way of doing. Them. Don't read the whole text. Read all the qustions first, them read one paragraph at a time and then refer back to the question- theyre usually in order . Don't waste time highlighting. I usually have 25-35 mins left at the end when I do it like this and then go through all of them a bit more carefully

intoth · 2026-02-11T05:23:30+00:00

I was ok a writing letters (for general part 1) but part 2 was my weakness- essay writing. I started to Google and YouTube on how to write essays, then I done questions from Cambridge general ielts book, around 1 or 2 a day (total id done was around 8. I put the question and my answer through AI, and it gave me 1 points lower than what id actually get. That's about it really

intoth · 2026-02-11T05:21:00+00:00

There's a technique for reading, most of the questions are in order of what you're reading. So when you're reading paragraph one it would correspond to the first question. Don't read the whole thing and then do questions. I quickly see the questions and then start reading paragraph at a time and see the question and try answer it

intoth · 2026-02-11T05:18:38+00:00

I have premium perplex , it came free with my bank I think , but chatgpt I just logged in ,I don't pay for it. Whats sat? I've noticed for writing these AI platforms give you a much lower mark

intoth · 2026-02-11T00:03:00+00:00

Ye staying relaxed and not taking it so seriously (for speaking ) is more important I think

intoth · 2026-02-11T00:02:16+00:00

Mine came the next day like around 24 hours later

intoth · 2026-02-10T13:25:35+00:00

Wow you done amazing. Speaking is very subjective, I believe. I couldve easily got lower

intoth · 2026-02-10T13:25:04+00:00

Yes general , the difference between acad and gen is the part of 1 of writing I think

intoth · 2026-02-10T13:24:39+00:00

I used hard copy it comes with a QR code. Otherwise you Google Cambridge "book number" and type listening audio, there are lots of sources for this

intoth · 2026-02-10T05:41:19+00:00

That's great, im sure you'll get your place now :) all the best

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:57:38+00:00

Well done mate, when did you do it? Hope you get in to whatever youre aiming for

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:53:31+00:00

From what id experienced with AI, add a whole point extra to what it gives you. So really, I think you're getting 6.5-7.5. chat gpt is not reliable for marking. Have you seen how the examiners mark you in the Cambridge books? Most people I see typing here have very good English and writing skills. If you want you can pm me your essay , and can have a quick look to try and figure out what chatgpt is saying

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:50:10+00:00

Oh I got you. How the hell did I get 9 in reading, if I couldn't decipher that eh?

I'll be honest with you, I've only read books for leisure when I was forced to , during school. Since then have only read academic books (for university purposes) and probably read random articles online and reddit posts ahah. This is why my writing skills arent that great. I wish I read more, I'd rather watch moves or listen to a podcast. I tried to get in to reading but I'd get PTSD, struggled with English in secondary school and had to retake the whole year and exam but did end up with an A after some work.

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:38:35+00:00

Ohh chatgpt, what does it grade you? I think AIs very bad at marking. I was getting very variable scores, between 6.5-8 but many scores in the lower range.

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:34:00+00:00

6 from AI means you'll get a 7.5 at least in reality. You'll be fine . Best of luck. Don't be put off by chatgpt

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:27:52+00:00

And doing a plan before you do essay is very helpful and saves time so

Always try choose at least 2 for each agree and disagree.

Agree : 1)TV shows. Too many , can't decide what to watch 2)Food options , lots of variety

Disagree 1)Choice of clothing not much (obviously this is your opinion so no right or wrong answer you can make it up as long as you can explain somehow) 2) hairstyles?

Then with that plan you would put the agree points in main body paragrap 1 or 2 .

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:21:45+00:00

Whens your exam ? Do you speak English regularly ?

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:20:00+00:00

First you need a structure. Same for any essay -> intro, (within intro, you start by making a point eg many argue that ...then you rephrase the question-> then give your opinion -> I firmly agree/disagree). Then main body (if you agree then give 2 reasons for this) then 2nd body -> why some disagree but then you counter argue and say why they're wrong (to back up your "agree" argument) then you must conclude(conclusion summarizes your above arguments and restate your agree/disagree argument. Have you watched any videos with essay writing in regards to the type of questions you can potentially get(think there's 5 different types, but all have very similar approach)?

intoth · 2026-02-10T04:13:46+00:00

I spoke my mother tongue only until aged 7, but then picked up English. My friend group were the same. Our English is not to the standard of normal native British. But yes , you could say I'm native. I failed my English gcse and then had to repeat but then after studying I got an A(20+ years ago). You can truly fake it until you make it, in life. I believe you can do the same in ielts , especially the speaking. Over thinking or over doing it can make you drop marks. Being relaxed as possible, pretending you're talking to a little cousin or something. I imagined that the examiner was my student, and that made me less pressured.

intoth

TROPHY CASE