The first Cambridge English Young Learners exam
Pre-A1 Starters, also known as Cambridge English: Starters (YLE Starters), is the first of three qualifications designed specifically for children between the ages of 7 and 12, and marks the start of a child's English language learning journey. This exam introduces them to everyday spoken and written English in a fun and encouraging way and helps build up confidence to progress towards A1 Movers and A2 Flyers.
Two formats, the same exam
Cambridge English Young Learners exams are available in two formats: paper-based and digital. Whichever format you choose, the exam content, level, skills tested and certification are exactly the same — only the way children interact with the test differs..
Paper-based Pre A1 Starters
A familiar and reassuring option for many children. Candidates work with pencil and paper, focusing fully on the language. This format is often preferred by younger learners or those less used to computers.
Digital Pre A1 Starters
An interactive version designed for today’s learners. Children complete the exam on a computer using headphones, with engaging on-screen tasks, clear navigation and supportive design features that help build confidence and independence.
Both formats:
- Assess Listening, Reading & Writing, and Speaking
- Are aligned to the same CEFR level (Pre A1)
- Follow the same assessment standards
- Lead to the same Cambridge English certificate, with no pass or fail
Choosing the format simply depends on what best suits the child, the school and the testing environment.
Explore the new Young Learners Digital with the Interactive Walkthrough
Why take the Pre A1 Starters?
Conceived for school-aged children, Pre A1 Starters is based on familiar, everyday themes and situations. It develops the foundations needed to communicate in English, helping children to:
• understand simple sentences and respond to simple questions
• follow very simple and short stories and understand basic instructions
• understand very simple descriptions of familiar objects
• recognise the English alphabet, spell simple words, and name familiar people and things
• understand very short conversations and copy words, phrases and short sentences
At Pre A1 Starters there is no pass or fail. Each child receives a Cambridge English Certificate celebrating their achievement, building their confidence and rewarding them for the development of their English skills. Results are shown using shields:
- 1 shield shows a child can improve a lot in that skill
- 5 shields show a child performed very well and answered most questions correctly
The back of the certificate shows how results align to the CEFR. Children who achieve 4 or 5 shields in each skill are ready to start preparing for the next Cambridge English level – A1 Movers.
What is the structure?
There are three parts in both paper-based and digital formats: Listening, Reading and Writing, and Speaking. This last test is done with one examiner and one candidate.
Listening
- Duration: about 20 minutes (paper-based) / up to 40 minutes (digital)
- Marks: maximum of 5 shields
- Focus: listening for names and descriptions, numbers and spelling, specific information, words, colours and prepositions
Reading and Writing
- Duration: 20 minutes (paper-based) / up to 25 minutes (digital)
- Marks: maximum of 5 shields
- Focus: reading short sentences, recognising and spelling words, writing one-word answers, completing simple texts and responding to picture-based stories
Speaking
- Duration: 3 to 5 minutes
- Marks: maximum of 5 shields
- Focus: Understanding and following spoken instructions, understanding and answering spoken questions.
Preparation material
A wide range of official preparation materials and also Cambridge English free resources and samples are available to support learners in both formats.
If you are not sure whether Pre A1 Starters is the right level for your child, you can:
How to enrol a child?
Any child can be enrolled directly through our website, or can take the exam through their language school if they already have English lessons.
For individual enrolments, school registrations or special conditions, please contact us. Confirmed exam dates are available in our Exam Calendar.
How to assess your child's English level?
The Cambridge English Placement Test for Young Learners is an online diagnostic test designed for children between the ages of 6 and 12. It takes around 30 minutes and helps identify the most suitable Cambridge English exam level.
You can find out more by contacting us or by purchasing it directly here.
More information
How to Register for your Exam
Results and Certificates