English levels and exams
Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers: what parents should know
Starters, Movers and Flyers are three Cambridge English exams for children at primary school, set at CEFR Pre-A1, A1 and A2. Each one tests listening, reading and writing, and speaking, using pictures and familiar topics, and every child who takes one receives a certificate showing how they did. They're optional: a useful goal for some children, but not something every child needs.
- By CurioKids team
- Published
- Updated
- 7 min read
Key takeaways
- Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers are Cambridge English exams for primary-age children, set at CEFR Pre-A1, A1 and A2.
- Each exam covers listening, reading and writing, and speaking, with pictures and familiar everyday topics.
- There's no pass or fail: every child receives a certificate showing their result for each skill.
- The exams are optional. They can motivate some children, but steady progress in English matters more than any single test.
- CurioKids is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press and Assessment.
On this page
What are Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers?
They are a series of three English exams, often called the Cambridge English Young Learners exams, designed for children at primary school. Their full names include the CEFR level each one is set at, and each is a step up from the one before:
| Exam | CEFR level | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Pre A1 Starters | Pre-A1 | First steps: familiar words, simple questions and short answers |
| A1 Movers | A1 | Short sentences about everyday life, simple stories and instructions |
| A2 Flyers | A2 | Short conversations, stories and texts about everyday topics |
The tests use colourful pictures and topics children know, such as family, school, animals, food and hobbies, so that children can show what they can do in a friendly way. If you'd like to know more about the levels themselves, read CEFR levels for children explained.
What do the tests include?
Each exam has three parts, one for each group of skills:
- Listening: children listen to short recordings and show they've understood, for example by colouring, drawing lines or ticking pictures.
- Reading and writing: children read words, sentences and short texts, and write words or short answers.
- Speaking: a short, face-to-face conversation with an examiner, based on pictures.
The papers get longer and more demanding from Starters to Flyers, with more reading, longer answers and more natural conversation. For the current format, timings and sample papers, check the official Cambridge English website.
How are Starters, Movers and Flyers marked?
There's no pass or fail. Every child who takes the exam receives a certificate that shows their result for each part as a number of shields, up to five for listening, five for reading and writing, and five for speaking. The idea is to reward what children can do and encourage them to keep learning, rather than to rank them.
Because of this, the exams can be a positive first experience of a formal test. Children see their strengths clearly, and parents can see which skills need more practice next.
Does my child need to take these exams?
No. They're optional. Some families find them a useful goal: preparing for a test can give a child a clear target, and receiving a certificate can be a proud moment. Taking an exam isn't needed to make progress in English, though. There's no need to rush; a child who takes a test before they're ready may lose confidence rather than gain it.
Questions worth asking before you book:
- Does my child enjoy a challenge, or would a test make them anxious?
- Are they comfortable with most of the words and tasks in the sample papers?
- Will preparing for the test fit alongside school and family life?
- Is there an authorised exam centre that's convenient for us, on a date that suits?
What age do children take Starters, Movers and Flyers?
There's no fixed age. The exams are designed for primary-age children, and what matters is your child's level of English, not their birthday. A child who is ready for A1 might take Movers at 7 or at 10. Try a sample paper together, or ask your child's teacher, to judge which level fits.
How can I help my child prepare?
The best preparation is regular, enjoyable English: reading together, talking, listening to stories and playing word games. Exam practice is useful towards the end, mainly so that the format feels familiar on the day.
- Build vocabulary around everyday topics: home, school, animals, food, clothes, the body, the weather and hobbies.
- Read picture books and short stories together, and talk about what's happening in the pictures.
- Practise answering questions in short, full sentences, not just single words.
- Try an official sample paper so the tasks don't come as a surprise.
- Keep it positive: every child receives a certificate, so the day is about showing what they can do.
If your child is younger and still learning to read, start with the sounds. Our guide to what phonics is explains how reading begins.
How can I help my child feel calm on the day?
Treat it as a chance to show what they know, not a test to be afraid of. Your exam centre will tell you when to arrive and what to bring, so check its instructions a few days before and pack everything the night before.
- Talk through the three parts: listening, reading and writing, and a short chat with an examiner about some pictures.
- Practise saying “Sorry, can you say that again, please?” so your child knows it's fine to ask.
- Keep the morning relaxed, with breakfast and time to spare.
- Afterwards, ask what they enjoyed rather than how well they did.
What should we do after the results arrive?
Look at the shields for each part together and celebrate what went well. The results show which skills are strong and which need more practice, which is useful whatever the total. If listening scored lower than reading, for example, more stories, songs and conversation will help. When your child is comfortable at one level, the next exam can become a new goal, but there's no rush to book it straight away.
How do CurioKids levels relate to Starters, Movers and Flyers?
CurioKids children start with Phonics Starter and then move on to CEFR-based levels Pre-A1, A1 and A2. CEFR Pre-A1, A1 and A2 correspond to the Cambridge English Young Learners levels Starters, Movers and Flyers. CurioKids is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press and Assessment. CurioKids lessons follow our own curriculum; they are not official Cambridge preparation courses. Find out more about our levels and curriculum, read the FAQ, or book a free first lesson from our Singapore or Malaysia page.
Frequently asked questions
Is CurioKids connected with Cambridge?
No. CurioKids is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press and Assessment. We mention Starters, Movers and Flyers only to help parents understand our levels, which are CEFR-based.
Can my child fail Starters, Movers or Flyers?
No. There's no pass or fail. Every child who takes the exam receives a certificate showing their result for each skill in shields, up to five per skill.
Where can my child take the exams?
At an authorised Cambridge English exam centre. Centres set their own dates and fees, so check the Cambridge English website for centres near you.
Do children have to take all three exams in order?
No. A child can take the exam that matches their current level, without taking the earlier ones first. Some families use the three as steps over several years; others choose just one.