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Compact by Cambridge University Press & Assessment is a fast‑track, exam‑focused English preparation series, each course (Quick PET, First, or Advanced) philtreing out unnecessary content to deliver a 50–60‑hour crash-prep programme—ideal for intensive revision or as a final-stage booster before test day . It features a one-exam‑part‑per‑unit structure, with eight tightly structured modules guiding learners through Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking papers step-by-step, supported by explicit exam tips in contextual “Exam Strategy” sections . The grammar syllabus includes specialist “exam grammar” segments plus a built-in reference section, while frequent Vocabulary & Grammar reviews, Speaking and Writing banks, and expert error correction tasks—informed by real candidate performance via the Cambridge Learner Corpus—ensure higher accuracy and deeper learner awareness . For teachers, Compact’s streamlined design saves prep time without compromising substance, offering a precise course that delivers maximised exam performance through guided practice and targeted confidence-building strategies.
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Our Compact Teacher Training programme provides a flexible, blended learning experience—available both online and face‑to‑face—led by Cambridge‑accredited trainers, often complemented by insight from Compact authors such as Laura Matthews or Barbara Thomas, who shaped key titles (Compact First for Schools 3rd Edition, etc.). In practical workshops, teachers explore the entire Compact materials set—Student Book, Workbook with Online Practice, and Teacher’s Book with Digital Pack—including features like Exam Tips, Grammar Reference, Phrasal Verb Builder, Vocabulary & Grammar Reviews, and Speaking and Writing banks, all rigorously informed by real candidate performance via the Cambridge Learner Corpus and English Profile research. Sessions also include hands‑on practice using the Cambridge One digital toolkit—Presentation Plus, Practice Extra, Test Generator, and Test & Train—to help educators maximise engagement, personalize exam practice, and teach with speed and clarity. By the end of the course, participants gain not only deep insight into the Compact “50–60 hour exam‑prep formula”, but also the practical lesson design skills, digital fluency, and author‑endorsed strategies needed to deliver concise, high‑impact Cambridge exam preparation with confidence and ease.
Author and Trainer
🎓 Exam Preparation Specialist – Over Two Decades of High-Impact ELT
Peter May brings more than 20 years of dedicated experience preparing students for Cambridge English examinations, specialising in concise, high-yield exam training materials that achieve impactful outcomes with minimal time input. His work directly targets exam confidence and mastery, making him a trusted name in teacher‑trainer circles.
As the named author of Compact First (3rd edition) and contributor to the Compact Advanced and Compact Keytitles, Peter May leads the Compact series with rigor and clarity. These courses are built around tight exam-focused units aligned specifically with B2 First and C1 Advanced formats, ensuring each lesson prepares students progressively for exam success.
Under May’s insight, Compact courses follow a structured 50–60 hour intensive review model—each unit systematically focused on one part of the exam. Combined with explicit Exam Tips, step‑by‑step grammar sections, vocabulary building, writing and speaking banks, and error-correction exercises informed by the Cambridge Learner Corpus, this approach ensures rigorous performance development within a compact timeframe.
Peter May’s design philosophy centres on streamlined usability for teachers, with interleaved Teacher’s Book layouts, built-in answer keys, writing models, and pronunciation guidance. In conjunction with Cambridge One tools—Presentation Plus, Practice Extra, Test Generator, and Test & Train—educators can effortlessly deliver mixed‑ability reporting and paper‑level support online or offline.
Rapid Revision Framework
50–60‑Hour Intensive Exam Prep: One paper per unit
Explore the streamlined Compact structure—specifically designed as a 50‑60 hour, highly focused revision course with one exam paper type taught per unit, using authentic Cambridge exam materials and task types to maximise performance under time constraints.
Integrated Exam Strategies
Exam Tips Embedded in Every Topic
Learn how Compact integrates targeted exam guidance and task-focused tips into in-unit sections, offering step-by-step walkthroughs to build students’ exam thinking and strategy across Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening.
Language Accuracy & Lexical Empowerment
Grammar, Vocabulary & Phrasal Verbs, Backed by Corpus Research
Delve into Compact’s embedded Grammar Reference pages, unit-based vocabulary and grammar review zones, and a Phrasal Verb Builder—all informed by Cambridge Learner Corpus and English Profile data for precise error awareness and exam-ready lexis.
Productive & Pronunciation Workouts
Speaking and Writing Banks + Pronunciation Support for Exam Success
Finish the series by exploring the Speaking and Writing banks, which model full exam-style responses, alongside integrated pronunciation features that build clarity and confidence in oral performance and written production.
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