Singaporeans who are applying for a job overseas or are keen on taking on an opportunity to study in United Kingdom or Australia will have to pass the IELTS exam. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the top examinations used to measure one’s English language proficiency. To be considered competent in the English language, the applicant must earn a score of 6 or above in each component.
The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an international standardized examination that measures one’s English language proficiency, especially for non-native English speakers. Its results are accepted by numerous organizations and institutions worldwide. Institutions include universities, immigration departments, government agencies, and so on. Kick-start your career by taking this test.
While you are in the Circuit Breaker period, you may use the luxury of time to study for your IELTS exam. Here are some practical tips that you may start with.
#1: PRACTICE READING EFFICIENTLY
The reading assessment component typically lasts for 60 minutes. The more you read, the faster you become. To reach this point, you must practice diligently. Moreover, you must not forget the comprehension aspect of reading. Reading fast does not mean that you will be able to digest everything you read. Start with a small chunk of material at a given amount of time. Then, shorten that time-frame.
Allot time for both academic reading and leisure reading. You do not need to focus on IELTS review notes entirely. You may opt to read materials that are heavy by day and light by night. Do not overwork your brain.
#2: READ THE SUBTITLES
Practice reading fast and efficiently by activating the subtitles of the Korean dramas or the movies that you watch. According to a 2010 research entitled “The Cognitive Effectiveness of Subtitle Processing”, subtitles can enhance a child’s reading and literacy skills. Read the subtitles on Netflix as you binge watch. You get to indulge in your favorite pastime too!
#3: LEARN TO SKIM AND SCAN
Skimming is the manner of quickly moving your eyes over the material. This will give you a general overview of the entire content. Scanning, on the other hand, lets you go over a specific material to locate data. This will enable you to scan for the answers in an essay. Both reading techniques will help you save time.
#4: SPOT PARALLEL PHRASES
Many IELTS questions will assess your ability to match similar phrases or parallel phrases. These phrases have the same meaning, but are worded differently. A phrase such as “love to cook” and “cooking is my hobby” are parallel phrases.
#5: GROUND YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Gain confidence by knowing what to expect. This way, you will be able to take the exam without getting caught by surprise. For instance, you will have to take the oral component too whereby you have to speak out loud. Learn the exam’s format by searching free resources online or by purchasing practice materials from the bookstore.
#6: MANAGE YOUR TIME
Take practice tests before your IELTS exam. You need to pace yourself. To mimic the nature of the exam, you must be strict when it comes to the instructions and the time. Allow yourself to finish the reading practice tests in an hour, as officially stated.
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During the examination, you may skip the difficult questions first and move on to the easy ones. Tackle the gaps before proceeding to the next component or the next part of the exam. Good luck!
Get covered for COVID-19 and personal accidents for less than $0.30/day
Protect yourself and your family members from the impact of the novel coronavirus. The ongoing pandemic has means uncertainty for a lot of people. To cope with the health and financial challenges, SingSaver has launched a personal accident insurance policy with FWD to extend coverage for COVID-19.
The new and exclusive insurance product will cover infectious disease including COVID-19, Dengue, Zika and more at only $98/year — one of the cheapest in the market.
One of the highest limit/coverage for COVID-19
The policy offers coverage for the highest number of Infectious Diseases in the market. It also has the highest Death Benefits of $50,000; plus Guardian Angel Benefits and Funeral Expenses Benefits at $50,000 and $2,500 respectively.
That is not all. You will be covered with a $1,000 limit for inpatient and outpatient expenses and $25/day in hospital income for up to 365 days! ($50/day if you are admitted to ICU) Yes, you see it right. Insurance coverage for the entire year. (Most insurer has a higher daily hospital cash payout but has a cap of around 14 – 30 days)
With unlimited medical evacuation, you enjoy a peace of mind if you contract an infectious disease or met with a accident overseas.
No occupation loading
Working in an environment that carries more risk? Most insurers in the market impose occupation loading which increases the price by as much as 80%! You’d be glad to know that FWD does not impose occupation loading. (Yay, for frontline healthcare workers)
The plan also covers all personal accidents
The personal accident plan also covers all accidents. In the unfortunate event that there is an accident i.e. your Grab ride gets into a collision or a GrabFood rider on e-scooter knocks into you, you are well covered with this policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
For hospitalisation due to accidents and COVID, cost of ward stay is excluded right? (i.e. I’ll need to have medical insurance for that instead)
Covid19 – SG govt covers the hospitalisation ward stay, so the $1K medical expenses is additional $ for you. For other infectious diseases and Accidents, your ward stay can be reimbursed via medishield life/ integrated shield plan (the $1K medical expenses is additional $ for you).
The plan covers me for 1 year. Anything to note if I want to renew?
Usually renewal or buying a PA policy will ask some questions like Age below 65, never excluded from any PA insurance
applications previously, etc.
Does it cover accidents arising from car accidents? i.e. my Grab ride gets into a collision, or a GrabFood rider on e-scooter knocks into me
Yes, it covers ALL ACCIDENTS – as long as it is an accident.
What is wrong with having one bank account for the entire family? Nothing! However, financial stability may be reaped through spreading your eggs in several baskets. Setting aside enough cash to maintain one account is already a tough task, especially if you are barely making ends meet.
If you can afford to keep your money in separate accounts, the management of your finances will be better. Firstly, you will be able to track expenses related to your specific financial goal. Secondly, you will get a clearer picture of how much you actually have. Lastly, separate accounts enable you to stay within a certain budget.
ACCOUNT #1: HOUSEHOLD FUND
The purpose of the “household checking account” is to satisfy your monthly bills as well as your daily and weekly expenses. A checking account enables you to have an ATM or Debit Card, which you can easily use when you are making a transaction. Put at least 20% of your income in this fund. Do not go beyond that allotted range. It is your job to ensure that your weekly meal plans or expenses are within your budget.
You may use this fund for your weekly trips to the grocery or for an evening birthday celebration in a restaurant nearby. You can charge your utility bills and phone bills to this account too.
ACCOUNT #2: EMERGENCY FUND
People see the value of setting up an emergency account now more than ever. Large, unforeseen events such as this pandemic can take a toll on your wallet. Hospitalization costs can cost you a huge chunk of money. How can you survive without having access to emergency fund? Is debt a viable option?
An emergency fund is recommended to last you for about 6 months. Fill this up before any other savings account because you do not want to be caught unprepared in an event of crisis. It is a good idea to set an automated scheme where a portion of your income will automatically go there. You may also employ another banking institution for this.
ACCOUNT #3: RETIREMENT FUND
Apart from your CPF, you may put some of your savings to your retirement fund. A golden rule of thumb is having a fund that is eight times your current annual income. To get here, you will allot money in the course of several years. Do not touch this account until you retire.
Unlike the emergency fund, growth takes precedence over easy access here. Feel free to explore other options apart from having a regular savings account. You may try growing your retirement fund in the stock market or long-term time deposits. The goal is to have enough dividends to last you during retirement.
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Consider opening one or more of these bank accounts. It is better to scatter your money to secure your finances. If one of your ATM or debit cards has been stolen or skimmed, you have other accounts to back you up. Separate accounts will cushion the blow of unfortunate events such as being scammed or being unemployed.
I have to admit! Credit cards are convenient, especially at this time. However, swiping your plastic card often costs you more money than other payment options. Regular charges from interest rates and annual fees are coupled by hidden surcharges. The latter are transaction-based fees that can add up!
You must maximize your savings and use your debit card as much as possible. On that note, here are the expenses that you must avoid charging into your credit cards.
#1: EDUCATION EXPENSES
Most schools and universities accept credit cards as a form of payment nowadays. Some even offer attractive interest rates. Just because it is available does not mean you have to use it. During my time, a diploma course in a private institution costs S$10,000 a year. Imagine paying a 3.5% interest per month? This will accumulate to about 51.11% interest in an annum. This is too much, if you ask me.
#2: GAMBLING EXPENSES
Gambling addiction is inside the Psychological manual of Psychologists and therapists. Gambling is there for a reason! It poses an uncontrollable damage on one’s finances and relationships. If you are thinking of using your credit card to cover your gambling-related costs, you are in deep trouble. Go home!
Contemplate on the monthly interest rates you will have to pay on the top of hidden fees. The interest rate will shoot up continuously until you pay your balance in full amount.
#3: MEDICAL EXPENSES
Many experts agree that you must use your Government medical allowance, non-retirement savings, and available cash to pay for medical expenses. If the COVID-19 situation is tough for you, you may get a low-cost loan option too. Medical expenses can immediately put you in a mountain of debt. You cannot simply turn to your credit card to pay for your entire hospital bill!
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As you take in all the above information, it is important to know how to avoid surcharges. Follow these tips.
a. Use a debit card to pay for your retail expense as it directly deducts from your bank account. Another electronic service that rarely incurs fees is NETS.
b. Book your flights using travel points. Use your travel points or air miles when you book for a flight overseas.
c. Use vouchers when institutions do not accept credit card points or rewards.
d. Link your credit card to PayPal. PayPal allows you to link your bank accounts in one place. This way, you will be able to pay the merchant free of extra fees.
e. Search for other businesses that offer zero interest rates on credit card transactions.
