Shafston – Take your Cambridge Exam in Australia!Shafston is one of Australia’s largest providers of preparation programs for the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Cambridge exams are highly valued by employers in many countries, especially Europe. Shafston offers a very wide range of Cambridge preparation programs including all levels of the main suite exam preparation programs (PET, FCE, CAE and CPE) as well as the main suite of Cambridge Business Certificate (BEC Vantage and Higher) exam preparation programs.
We guarantee to offer every Cambridge program that we advertise and pride ourselves on delivering a first class exam preparation program delivered by well respected Cambridge specialists.
Specialised Cambridge Teachers
Among the specialist teaching staff are a number of Cambridge examiners, who teach on the programs and give individual feedback and advice to students throughout their program.
Exam Success!
Shafston students consistently score highly on Cambridge examinations. Preparation is rigorous. Included in every program is a full day of mock practice exams once every month for all papers.
There are three classes of passing grade available for the main-suite exams: A, B and C, and two classes of failing grade, D and E. All candidates are provided with a Statement of Results which includes a graphical display of the candidate’s performance in each paper. These are shown against the scale Exceptional – Good – Borderline – Weak and indicate the candidate’s relative performance in each paper. Passing candidates are awarded a certificate.
Preparation for Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET) (CRICOS CODE 046000J)
The Preliminary English Test is an Intermediate level exam. It is ideal for students who need a basic qualification in English. PET graduates can generally communicate satisfactorily in most everyday situations.
The PET exam comprises three papers.
Paper 1 – Reading & Writing
Paper 2 – Listening
Paper 3 – Speaking
Students wishing to take the Shafston PET preparation program must firstly undertake a Cambridge pre-entry test which will indicate a student’s current level of proficiency. We can do this either prior to the student’s arrival (via fax) and/or on their first day.
Preparation for Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) (CRICOS CODE 021672G)
The First Certificate in English is an upper-intermediate level exam. It is ideal for students who need to be able to communicate confidently in English in most situations. FCE is one of the most widely recognised English language qualifications by employers and educational institutions around the world.
By the end of the course students will be able to communicate successfully in day to day situations.
The FCE exam comprises 5 parts:
Paper 1 – Reading
Paper 2 – Writing
Paper 3 – Use of English (Grammar)
Paper 4 – Listening
Paper 5 – Speaking
Students wishing to take the Shafston FCE preparation program must firstly undertake a Cambridge pre-entry test which will indicate a student’s current level of proficiency. We can do this either prior to the student’s arrival (via fax) and/or on their first day.
Preparation for Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) (CRICOS CODE 033999G)
The Certificate in Advanced English is an upper-intermediate-advanced level exam. It is a challenging exam preparation course which allows students to prepare for the five papers of the exam.
By the end of the course students will be able to operate successfully in professional or academic environments.
It is particularly suitable for students who need to use English at work or for study. CAE is recognised by most British universities for entrance level language requirements.
The CAE exam comprises 5 parts:
Paper 1 – Reading
Paper 2 – Writing
Paper 3 – Use of English (Grammar)
Paper 4 – Listening
Paper 5 – Speaking
Students wishing to take the Shafston CAE preparation program must firstly undertake a Cambridge pre-entry test which will indicate to us their current level of proficiency. We can do this either prior to the student’s arrival (via fax) and/or on their first day.
Ask us to send you an official Cambridge Exam Preparation Placement Test.
Preparation for Cambridge CAE Exam - Sample Timetable
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9.30am–11.30am
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Integrated Core Skills – Theme based — Unit 5 Dilemmas
Incorporating Use of English/Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking.
Giving advice: Vocabulary development (Entertainment).
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11.45am–12.45pm
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Speaking
Working in a collaborative pair work task.
Information exchange.
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Listening Strategies
Listening for specific information
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Reading Strategies
Gap reading text
Matching sentences to paragraphs headings.
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Test
Strategies
Skimming and scanning for specific information
Summarising main points.
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Review and
Consolidation
Unit 5
Review
exercises
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1.45pm-3.45pm
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Writing
Paper 2, Part 1 Notices and Announcements – informing, persuading, advising and warning.
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English In Use: Register Transfer – Using appropriate lexical items and structures transforming from informal to formal written registers.
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Listening
Sentence completion. Intensive listening for specific information in sentence completion tasks
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Reading
Multiple choice reading comprehension
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Speaking
Comparing and contrasting. Practising Part 2 uninterrupted speech.
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Vocabulary extension and development worksheet.
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Idiomatic structures
worksheet. |
Informal writing task – responding to an email
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Changing meanings with affixes.
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Collocations and idioms.
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- Cooking Club
- Music Club
- Pronunciation Club (during Cambridge sessions)
- Cambridge Club
- Sports Club
- Film Club
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Preparation for Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) (CRICOS CODE 038097F)
The Certificate of Proficiency exam is an advanced level exam for candidates who have a fairly proficient level of English already. The course is challenging and rigorous. Our experienced teachers will help you to understand the intricacies of the CPE exam.
This is the highest Cambridge certification level and indicates full English proficiency in any academic or professional situation. Students who reach this level are approaching the linguistic competence of an educated native speaker. A CPE student’s level of English gives him/her access to the press and other media, and to areas of culture such as film, drama and literature. CPE is also recognised by most British universities for entrance level language requirements.
The CPE exam comprises 5 parts:
Paper 1 – Reading
Paper 2 – Writing
Paper 3 – Use of English (Grammar)
Paper 4 – Listening
Paper 5 – Speaking
Students wishing to take the Shafston CPE preparation program must firstly undertake a Cambridge pre-entry test which will indicate a student’s current level of proficiency. We can do this either prior to the student’s arrival (via fax) and/or on their first day.
Course books and learning materials
All students are supplied with the latest exam preparation course books and other supplementary materials for the course. Students are also encouraged to purchase an Advanced Learners Dictionary.
Preparation for Cambridge FCE Exam Sample Timetable
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9.30am–11.30am
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Integrated Core Skills – Theme based — Unit 7 The Price of Fame
Incorporating Use of English/Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking.
Giving advice: Vocabulary development (Entertainment).
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11.45am–12.45pm
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Speaking
Interview practice/
discussion.
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Listening Strategies
Key word recognition practice.
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Reading Strategies
Inference.
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Test
Strategies
Time
management and
key words.
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Review and
Consolidation
Unit 7 review
exercises
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1.45pm-3.45pm
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Writing
Part 2
(report writing).
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Use of English
Present perfect.
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Listening
The psychology of fame (multiple
matching).
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Reading
Gapped text:
paragraphs.
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Speaking
Talking about fears.
Role play:
Giving advice.
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Collocations
worksheet.
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Phrasal verbs
worksheet.
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Spelling changes
worksheet.
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Negative
prefixes.
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Exam practice
similar meanings.
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Cooking Club
Music Club
Pronunciation Club (during Cambridge sessions)
Cambridge Club
Sports Club
Film Club |

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